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Norwegian youth politician and migraine sufferer advocates for access to more effective medication amid rising societal costs

Tuesday 9th 2024 on 21:50 in  
Norway

In Norway, over 800,000 people suffer from migraines, which often leads to a significant amount of time off work or school due to illness. One such individual is 16-year-old Sigrun Refsnes, who has been struggling with migraines for most of her adolescence. Sigrun experiences headaches or migraines for at least 15 days per month and has been dealing with these symptoms for several years. She often feels dizzy and low on energy. It took a long time for Sigrun to receive a diagnosis and the right medication.

Despite suffering from this chronic condition, Sigrun remains hopeful that she will be able to become more active in her role as a youth politician in Unge Høyre, a Norwegian political youth organization. She has recently started a medication that works well for her, allowing her to attend school and partake in daily activities like everyone else.

The cost of migraines to society is continually rising. According to Nav, the Norwegian labor and welfare administration, the expenses related to sick pay and work clarification money for migraine patients increased by 283 million in one year. However, this does not include the costs of disability pensions.

Erik Magnus Sæther, a social economist at Oslo Economics, believes that the total cost to society should be considered, not just the expenses for medications. Many migraine patients go a long time without receiving help, contributing to the overall cost.

The most effective medications for migraines are costly, requiring patients to try cheaper options first. Three different types of medications must be tested over three months, totaling nine months of trials. If none of these medications work for patients with chronic migraines, the doctor can apply to cover the costs of the new, effective medications.

The new medication allows patients to function relatively normally. However, the drugs being tested are not designed for migraine patients. According to calculations from NTNU, approximately 100,000 people suffer from chronic migraines. None of the old medications have a proven effect on chronic migraines, only on episodic ones. Yet, patients with chronic migraines must use these medications before applying for reimbursement for effective treatment.

State Secretary Karl Kristian Bekeng believes that it must be profitable for society to spend money on expensive medications, hence the need to try the cheaper ones first. However, Sæther argues that the state saves far less than it believes by taking this approach. Patients must go through a lengthy testing regime, which often shows that the old medications are ineffective.

The most effective and costly medication for migraines is CGRP-inhibitors. Botulinum toxin and CGRP-inhibitors have a proven effect for chronic migraines. These medications are preventative and reduce disease activity in migraines, resulting in fewer attacks. Some patients recover so well that they no longer experience attacks, while others require treatment over longer periods.

Sæther believes that substantial sums could be saved by giving more people the new medication. The social economic costs of patients not attending school or work and transitioning to the Nav system are significantly higher.

Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen, Chair of the Health and Care Committee in the Norwegian Parliament, believes that the price should not be the only factor considered when approving new medications. She calls for a debate on the cost of people being on sick leave because the necessary investment in medications that could prevent this is not made.

Sigrun Refsnes, who is both a migraine patient and a member of Unge Høyre, believes politicians need to take responsibility. She argues that patients should be allowed to take the medication that works for them, not what works for the government’s budget. Sigrun believes that health is highly individual, and it should always be prioritized, even if it is expensive.