New migraine drugs may give insurers a headache

A pair of long-acting drugs that would be the first used for preventing migraines may cause a different kind of headache.

Known as CGRP inhibitors, the injectable drugs work by interfering with a substance involved in modifying nerve signals, and recent studies found that two of the medicines reduce the frequency at which migraines appeared. This may be good news for the estimated 38 million migraine sufferers in the U.S., as well as investors, since the market for such drugs will be worth billions of dollars.

But a new analysis questions whether the drugs will be cost effective.

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Group plans

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Totals $468 per year

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for 3 months, then $399/year

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Then $399/year

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2-10 Users

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