Fremanezumab: Cost-Effective Relief for Chronic Migraine

By Thanusha Pillay

July 3, 2024

Introduction

Migraine is a complex neurological condition marked by moderate to severe headaches that can last for hours to days, with lingering symptoms and extreme tiredness post-attack. The International Headache Society defines chronic migraine, the most severe form, as having headaches on 15 or more days per month for over three months, with migraine characteristics on at least 8 days per month. Chronic migraine affects 10-20% of migraine sufferers and significantly impacts health-related quality of life of the patient and their families.

Migraine is highly prevalent, with over 200 000 patients in the Netherlands. It is more common in women, particularly during their childbearing and working years. Globally, migraines contribute significantly to disability, being the 14th leading cause of disability-adjusted life-years in 2019 and the top cause of years lived with disability for those aged 15-49. This results in a substantial economic burden, with costs in the Netherlands estimated between €2.3–4.2 billion annually, potentially reaching up to €5 billion.

There are preventative treatments for migraine, one of the newest drugs being fremanezumab, a monoclonal antibody designed to prevent migraines. It works by targeting and inhibiting the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a molecule involved in migraine attacks. Clinical trials have shown that fremanezumab significantly reduces the frequency of monthly migraine days (MMD), improving patients’ quality of life.

Fremanezumab vs. Supportive Care

This Dutch study published in BMC Neurology explores the cost-effectiveness of fremanezumab, comparing it with best supportive care (BSC) and examining its long-term benefits. The primary patient population included those with chronic migraine who did not respond to topiramate, valproate, or onabotulinumtoxinA. In the Netherlands, healthcare providers consider fremanezumab a last-line treatment for these patients. The model began with a decision tree to evaluate treatment response after 12 weeks. Responders continued treatment, while non-responders discontinued. Patients then entered a semi-Markov model with two health states (on treatment; off treatment) and an absorbing state of death (natural causes). Within the main health states, patients were distributed across 29 monthly migraine days. The model structure is illustrated in Figure 1 below.

Fig. 1

Figure 1. Model structure. A responder was a patient with a ≥ 30% reduction in MMD from baseline during the 12 weeks after therapy initiation. MMD, monthly migraine days.

Economic Evaluation

The researchers performed the study from a societal perspective and included an economic evaluation of fremanezumab involving direct and indirect costs. Direct costs include medical expenses such as hospitalisation, emergency department visits, and medication. Indirect costs encompass productivity losses due to missed workdays and the need for informal care.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

A cost-effectiveness analysis compares the costs and health outcomes of fremanezumab with BSC. The primary measure used is the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), which represents the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. An ICER below the willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold indicates that the treatment is cost-effective.

Key Findings

  1. Costs Compared to Supportive Care: In the primary study population, fremanezumab is cost-saving compared with supportive care, saving €2 514.

  2. Long-Term Benefits: Over a 10-year time horizon, fremanezumab remained cost-effective, with an ICER of €4 620 per QALY. This is well below the WTP threshold of €50 000, demonstrating its sustained economic value over time.

  3. Indirect Costs: Including indirect costs generally made fremanezumab dominant, meaning it was both more effective and less costly than BSC. When productivity losses are excluded, the ICER for fremanezumab increases significantly to €17 498 per QALY. Despite this increase, the ICER remains within the range considered cost-effective. Moreover, including informal care costs also results in substantial cost savings.

  4. Most Impactful Variables: Monthly migraine days, starting age of treatment, fremanezumab cost, and response rate were the most impactful variables on the model outcomes. Fremanezumab consistently proved its high cost-effectiveness compared to supportive care.

Fig. 2
Figure 2. A) Tornado plot of sensitivity analysis results. B and C, respectively)  scatter plot of and WTP curve for PSA results. ICER, incremental cost-effectiveness ratio; MMD, monthly migraine days; PSA, probabilistic sensitivity analysis; QALY, quality-adjusted life-year; WTP, willingness-to-pay.

Conclusion

This paper presents the first published cost-effectiveness study for fremanezumab, demonstrating its substantial economic impact in migraine management. It offers a cost-effective solution for reducing the burden of migraines, improving patient outcomes, and lowering overall healthcare costs. As healthcare systems continue to seek value-based treatments, fremanezumab stands out as a promising option.

Reference url

Recent Posts

modifiable risk factors
        

Targeting Shared Risk Pathways to Prevent Stroke, Dementia, and Depression

🧠 What if addressing just a few key lifestyle factors could significantly reduce the risk of stroke, dementia, and depression in older adults?

A recent systematic review has identified 17 **modifiable risk factors**, revealing the interconnected nature of these age-related brain diseases and offering crucial insights for preventive strategies. By focusing on aspects such as blood pressure management, nutrition, and physical activity, we can enhance quality of life for our aging population.

Dive into the article to explore how these findings could shape future healthcare models.

#SyenzaNews #HealthEconomics #HealthcareInnovation #DigitalTransformation

drug price regulation
      

Navigating Drug Price Regulation: Evaluating the Executive Order’s Potential Impacts and Challenges

💊 Curious about the future of drug pricing in the U.S.?

The recent executive order aims to tackle escalating prescription drug costs through measures like international reference pricing and enhanced transparency. However, the implications of these policies could be more complex than anticipated, with potential risks to market access and innovation.

Dive into the article for a detailed analysis of how these regulations could shape the pharmaceutical landscape and what it means for healthcare access in the U.S.

#SyenzaNews #pharmaceuticals #healthcarepolicy

AI Patient Education
       

AI Patient Education: Evaluating ChatGPT and Gemini for Pediatric Condition Materials

🤔 Are AI solutions ready to revolutionize pediatric patient education?

A recent study compared ChatGPT and Gemini in generating educational materials for common pediatric conditions, revealing intriguing insights into content depth, readability, and reliability. While both tools have their merits, there’s significant room for improvement in making AI-generated content accessible and effective for all families.

Curious to learn more about the implications for health literacy and the future of AI in healthcare? Click to read the full article!

#SyenzaNews #AIinHealthcare #HealthTech #DigitalTransformation

When you partner with Syenza, it’s like a Nuclear Fusion.

Our expertise are combined with yours, and we contribute clinical expertise and advanced degrees in health policy, health economics, systems analysis, public finance, business, and project management. You’ll also feel our high-impact global and local perspectives with cultural intelligence.

SPEAK WITH US

CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS

1950 W. Corporate Way, Suite 95478
Anaheim, CA 92801, USA

© 2025 Syenza™. All rights reserved.