Oct 18, 2018
  • In collaboration with the Headache Chapter of the Egyptian Society of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, Novartis launches “Migraine is not just a Headache” campaign in Egypt
  • Migraine affects nearly 1 in 7 people, women are three times more likely than men to suffer from migraines1
  • Less than 50% of patients satisfied with current treatment options2

Cairo - October 18, 2018 – During the 3rd MENA Headache Conference taking place in Cairo, October 18th – 20th, Novartis - in collaboration with the Headache Chapter of the Egyptian Society of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery (ESNPN) - announced the launch of its “Migraine is not just a Headache” campaign. Designed to raise awareness of the challenges facing migraine patients, the initiative brought together the region’s foremost medical experts from Egypt and other MENA countries to define how healthcare providers and the community can help improve patients’ quality of life.

Dr. Mohamed Osama Abdelghany, Chairman of the Egyptian Headache Chapter and Professor of Neurology at Ain Shams University said, “Migraine is a neurological disease with incapacitating neurological symptoms. It is the third most common disease in the world with an estimated global prevalence of 14.7% - affecting nearly 1 in 7 people.1 Migraine typically presents as a severe throbbing recurring pain, usually on one side of the head and is often accompanied by debilitating symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, extreme sensitivity to sound, light, touch and smell.3 Though migraine causes aren’t understood, genetics and environmental factors appear to play a role.”4

“The impact of migraine on patients’ lives is tremendous and under-recognized,” said Dr. Maged AbdelNosser, Professor of Neurology at Cairo University and General Secretary of the ESNPN, “Migraine is globally ranked as the sixth most disabling disease6 – more than 90% of sufferers are unable to work or function normally, and are more prone to anxiety and depression7. Ultimately, the huge impact of migraine on patients’ lives translates into significant economic and social burdens.”8

He revealed findings from a survey undertaken in Fayoum, Egypt with nearly 2600 participants, “the prevalence of episodic migraine was 17.3%, which peaked in midlife, yet more than 60% of participants did not seek medical advice for headache problems. The absence of specialized headache centers, underestimating “headache” disorders by family members and even by healthcare practitioners, insufficient patient education and the availability of OTC pain relievers, worsen the issue of headache under-recognition and under-treatment.”9

Commenting on the severe lack of awareness about migraine, Dr. Ramez Reda, Co-Chairman of Egyptian Headache Chapter, Professor of Neurology, Ain Shams University, said, “The societal ramifications of migraine prevalence are generally overlooked, even by healthcare professionals. Across medical schools all over the world, a minimal amount of hours is dedicated to migraine, despite the fact that severe headaches and migraines are highly prevalent among the younger segment of the population10. Awareness should be raised in order for healthcare professionals, family members and friends to be able to identify the symptoms of migraine.”

Dr. Ramez emphasized saying “Migraine remains underdiagnosed and undertreated in at least 50% of patients, and less than 50% of migraine patients consult a physician or are satisfied with their current treatment.5 There is a clear need for more effective, more reliable treatment.”

Dr. Basyouni Abuseif, Novartis Egypt Country President, shared Novartis’s efforts towards alleviating the burden of migraine, saying, “Novartis has a strong commitment to neuroscience and to bringing innovative treatments to patients suffering from neurological conditions where there is a high, unmet need. We are committed to helping people overcome the challenge of migraine. At Novartis Egypt, we are proud to assist Migraine patients in getting appropriate treatments in addition to providing them with educational and awareness programs about the disease.”

# #

About Novartis

Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2017, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.1 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 125,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit https://www.novartis.com/.

Novartis Egypt Media Relations

E-mail: [email protected]

Reem El Adl
Head of Corporate Communications and Patient Advocacy
[email protected]

Shahista Hussien
Corporate Communications Manager
[email protected]

مؤتمر الشرق الاوسط وأفريقيا الثالث للصداع يسلط الضوء على مشكلة الصداع النصفي والحاجة لخيارات علاجية أفضل

اقرأ أكثر (PDF, 0.41 MB)

 References

  1. Steiner TJ et al. Migraine: the seventh disabler. The Journal of Headache and Pain 2013, 14:1.
  2. Headache Disorders – not respected, not resourced. All-Party Parliamentary Group on Primary Headache Disorders. 2010
  3. Migraine Research Foundation. Migraine Fact Sheet. 2015. migraineresearchfoundation.org/fact-sheet.html.
  4. Mayo: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201)
  5. Pavone E et al. Patterns of triptans use: a study based on the records of a community pharmaceutical department. Cephalalgia. 2007;27(9):1000-4.
  6. GBD 2015 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators, “Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 310 diseases and injuries, 1990–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015,” Lancet, vol. 388, no. 10053, pp. 1545-1602, 8 Oct 2016.
  7. Migraine Research Foundation. Migraine Fact Sheet. 2015. migraineresearchfoundation.org/fact-sheet.html.
  8. Olesen, J., Gustavsson, A., Svensson, M., Wittchen, H., & Jönsson, B. 2011. The economic cost of brain disorders in Europe. European Journal of Neurology, 19(1): 155-162.
  9. El-Sherbiny, N., Masoud, M., Shalaby, N. and Shehata, H. (2015). Prevalence of primary headache disorders in Fayoum Governorate, Egypt. The Journal of Headache and Pain, 16(1). Q
  10. World Health Organization. Atlas of headache disorders and resources in the world 2011.

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as “potential,” “can,” “will,” “plan,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “look forward,” “believe,” “committed,” “investigational,” “pipeline,” “launch,” or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political and economic conditions; safety, quality or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG’s current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.