GP with chronic migraine pushes for greater power to prescribe Medicare-subsidised medication

Migraine News

GP with chronic migraine pushes for greater power to prescribe Medicare-subsidised medication
MedicationPbsMedicare
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Andrew Leech suffered with migraine for years. It was only when he studied to become a doctor that he found help was out there. Now, he wants to make it easier to find relief.

GP Andrew Leech wants primary care doctors to have access to injectable migraine prevention medications like Ajovy.The Health Department says initial Ajovy prescriptions are handled by specialists, but subsequent care can also be managed by GPs.

Dr Leech, along with other pain experts, believe GPs should be able to prescribe migraine medication, such as Ajovy, and that patients should not have to go through the lengthy and costly process of seeing a neurologist to access such life-changing drugs. That drug has since been added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme , but can only be prescribed by a neurologist.Dr Leech thinks that needs to change.

"There need to be very clear reasons for any medical treatment to be restricted to specialist prescribing.A Health Department spokesperson said that while initial treatment of Ajovy required a neurologist, ongoing treatment would be provided by a GP in consultation with a neurologist.He said finding someone who could prescribe relief was just one of a number of hurdles faced by migraine sufferers.

Dr Morgan said GPs and specialists, like neurologists, needed to work together for best patient outcomes, but also to work more efficiently.

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Medication Pbs Medicare Prescription Andrew Leech Gp Doctor Headache Diagnosis Neurologist Goodnews Mark Morgan Adele Stewart

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