What Will the New Drug Tariffs Mean For Migraine Medications?

If you live with migraine, you know that access to the right medication can make the difference between a rock bottom day and a manageable one. Now, with new U.S. tariffs on branded drugs starting October 1, 2025, many of us in the migraine community are wondering: Will this affect my migraine meds?

The short answer: a big maybe. The U.S. government has announced 100% tariffs on imported branded pharmaceuticals, which could mean higher out-of-pocket prices, supply disruptions, insurance denials, or doctor prescriptions for less effective meds. However, pharmaceutical companies that manufacture their drugs in the U.S. or have pledged to actively build American plants can be exempt from these tariffs.

Let’s walk through what this could mean for many common migraine medications and what steps you can take to stay ahead.

Common Migraine Medications 

Aimovig (erenumab) - Low Risk

Aimovig was developed/approved with Amgen involvement and Amgen has U.S. manufacturing authority for erenumab (FDA approval docs name Thousand Oaks, CA). That suggests Aimovig supply for the U.S. market is at least partly manufactured in the U.S., which lowers the chance it would be hit by an import tariff.

Ajovy (fremanezumab) - At Risk

Ajovy is a branded anti-CGRP monoclonal antibody developed with Japanese involvement and marketed by Teva; Teva is a global company with U.S. operations. Whether a specific finished batch is imported depends on Teva’s supply chain for Ajovy: it may be produced in various sites. That means it could be affected if the batches you get are imported and the manufacturer doesn’t qualify for an exemption.

Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) — At Risk

While parent company Abbvie is headquartered in Chicago, Botox’s principal manufacturing for global supply has been concentrated in Westport, County Mayo, Ireland. They could face direct exposure if finished product imports are hit by tariffs.

Emgality (galcanezumab) - Low Risk

FDA documents show manufacturing/production steps for galcanezumab tied to U.S. facilities. That indicates Emgality has significant U.S. manufacturing for the approved supply chain, which reduces the immediate tariff risk for U.S. supply.

Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) - Low Risk

Pfizer completed acquisition of Biohaven (maker of Nurtec) and there are records showing Nurtec manufacturing in the U.S. Because Pfizer is a U.S. company with large domestic manufacturing, Nurtec is less likely to be subject to the imported-branded-drug tariff for U.S-market supply — but confirm with your pharmacy.

Qulipta (atogepant) — At Risk

Product and wholesaler listings for Qulipta show mixed origin information for some of the packaged medications. That means at least some Qulipta lots may be produced or finalized abroad, which raises tariff risks, unless AbbVie's U.S. production expansions cover them.

Ubrelvy (ubrogepant) — Low Risk

Manufacturer and distributor listings associate Ubrelvy’s commercial supply with AbbVie’s U.S. operations and specialty distribution channels. That suggests much of the U.S. supply chain is domestic, lowering the likelihood of broad tariff exposure — though individual lot origins should still be checked with your pharmacy.

Vyepti (eptinezumab) - Low Risk

Vyepti (IV eptinezumab) is distributed by Lundbeck in the U.S.; Lundbeck has U.S. operations and the product is available in the U.S. Whether any specific lot is imported depends on company supply chains, but there are U.S. manufacturing and distribution footprints for Vyepti.

Zavzpret (zavegepant) - Low Risk

Regulatory filings and Pfizer product materials link Zavzpret’s U.S. marketing and distribution to Pfizer’s domestic operations, with U.S. supply-chain controls in place for the approved product. That indicates Zavzpret is likely to have substantial U.S.-based production or final packaging for the U.S. market, reducing its immediate tariff exposure.

What You Can Do To Protect Your Care

Call your pharmacy to find out where your medications are made.

Pharmacists can often tell you the pharmaceutical distributor/manufacturer and sometimes the origin of the company lot. That’s the single clearest way to know if a particular shipment is likely to be impacted.

Confirm with your insurance provider whether coverage or copays will change.

Insurance companies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers will be negotiating in the coming days and weeks, and this could potentially affect thresholds for formulary tiers and criteria around prior authorizations.

Check manufacturer patient assistance programs now.

If you rely on a branded drug and cost increases, many pharma companies offer copay assistance or patient assistance programs. Go to the individual manufacturer’s website and enroll or confirm your eligibility now.

If clinically appropriate, talk to your clinician about generics and alternatives.

There may be U.S.-manufactured branded options, other CGRP products with U.S. supply, or (when available and appropriate) generics/ biosimilars. But don’t change medication without your doctor’s approval!

Consider filling a reasonable short-term refill (if allowed by your insurer and clinically safe).

If your drug is at risk (for example, Botox is historically produced in Ireland), you may want a short safety cushion.

Monitor rapidly developing policy changes.

Companies, trade partners, and courts may alter the policy or produce clarifications and exemptions. Major manufacturers are announcing US investments to avoid tariffs, so watch out for manufacturer press releases and your insurer’s notices to inform your care decisions.

The Bottom Line: Not All Meds Will Be Treated Equally

Remember, not all migraine medications will be equally affected by the new tariffs, so everyone’s experiences will differ. Some medications are currently in safer territory, while others are scheduled to face some turbulence.

The best thing you can do right now? Stay informed, plan ahead, and lean on support programs. Migraine already asks so much from us, and getting the care we need shouldn’t be harder.

We’ll keep watching these changes closely, and we at Peachy Day will keep sharing updates so you don’t have to track every headline yourself. 🍑💡

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