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Pharmac will soon fund a drug which can cut the recurrence of migraines by an average of 45 per cent.
Dr Dilky Rasiah, acting medical director for the government's drug-buying agency, said Topamax was already funded to treat epilepsy but could also be used to prevent migraines.
"People who have experienced migraines know just how debilitating these can be, and people respond differently to different treatments," Dr Rasiah said.
"What we have seen is that (Topamax) can cut back the recurrence of migraines by about 45 per cent on average.
"To a non-migraine sufferer that may not seem a lot, but these are people who can suffer migraines frequently and know just how severe it can be."
It was expected up to 4700 people would be treated with the drug by 2011.
- NZPA
