Earlier this month the first gepant medication atogepant (Aquipta) was launched in New Zealand.
AbbVie, the pharmaceutical company who makes Aquipta, has established an access programme with Airport Oaks Pharmacy in Auckland. The access programme price is around $352.80 for a one month supply (28 x 60mg tablets). Airport Oaks Pharmacy can courier Aquipta to pharmacies throughout New Zealand, at approximately $6–$12 depending on the location. AbbVie has indicated that up to three month’s supply can be dispensed at a time.
AbbVie has also confirmed that Aquipta is also available for private purchase with a valid prescription from any other pharmacy. However at this stage only Airport Oaks Pharmacy can provide it at the access programme price.
Like other CGRP medications, Aquipta was added to Pharmac’s Options for Investment list (Pharmac’s funding wish-list) in June, which you can read about here. As yet, it remains unfunded.
As this is a new medication in New Zealand, many health professionals and pharmacies won’t be aware of its availability. We’ll aim to share practical information with our migraine community as people gain experience in accessing and using Aquipta.
About gepants
Gepants are a new oral medication specifically developed for migraine. Four gepants are approved overseas:
- Atogepant (Aquipta)
- Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy)
- Rimegepant (Nurtec ODT)
- Zavegepant (Zavzpret)
Gepants are a type of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitor, targeting the same peptide as the injectable CGRP medications available in New Zealand, Aimovig and Emgality.
Gepants were originally developed to treat a migraine attack, much like triptans. However, atogepant (Aquipta) was developed for use as a migraine preventive medication, taken daily, and rimegepant (Nurtec) has also been approved for migraine prevention when taken every other day.
Early indications suggest that gepants aren’t associated with medication overuse headache. Many people with migraine struggle with medication overuse headache, which can occur when a person takes too many acute medications to treat migraine over a period of at least three months. Medication overuse headache is not the fault of a person with migraine, but a sign that there is a huge need for migraine medication options specifically designed for migraine with an improved safety profile. Gepants may be one of these options.
More information
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary, Medsafe
New Zealand Data Sheet, Medsafe
Information from Airport Oaks Pharmacy
- Airport Oaks Pharmacy can courier anywhere in the country using NZ Post. The delivery fee is $6, with an additional $6 for rural delivery.
- Collection can be arranged from our sister stores in Royal Heights (Royal Heights Pharmacy and Royal Road Pharmacy) or from Frankton Pharmacy in Hamilton. Please allow a few days for stock to be transferred.
- You can order a 1, 2 or 3-month supply with each dispensing, depending on the prescription, with a maximum of 3 months per prescription. It’s recommended to start with a 1 month supply to ensure you’re satisfied with the medication and it works for you. As this is a medication, refunds can’t be offered once the medication has been sent out.
- Payment can be done via bank transfer, credit card or debit card.
For more information you can phone the pharmacy on (09) 275 0155, or email dispensary@airportoakspharmacy.com
