Editing Sumatriptan (section)

== Society and culture ==
=== Legal status ===
In the United States, it is available only by medical prescription. It is available over the counter in many states in Australia. The product requires labelling by a pharmacist and is only available in packs of two without a medical prescription.<ref>{{cite web |title = Poisons Standard June 2017 |url = https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L00605/Html/Text#_Toc471222305 |access-date = 22 July 2017 |date = 18 May 2017 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170731114704/https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L00605/Html/Text#_Toc471222305 |archive-date = 31 July 2017 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> However, it can be bought over the counter in the UK<ref>{{cite web |title = Press release: First Over The Counter (OTC) migraine pill made available |url = http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON2023768 |publisher = Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency |access-date = 28 January 2015 |archive-url = http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20141205150130/http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON2023768 |archive-date = 5 December 2014 }}</ref> and Sweden.<ref>{{cite web |author1 = European Medicines Agency |author-link1 = European Medicines Agency |title = Assessment Report: Sumatriptan Galpharm 50 mg Tablets |url = http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/EPAR_-_Public_assessment_report/human/002140/WC500122862.pdf |publisher = European Medicines Agency |access-date = 28 January 2015 |page = 20 |date = 23 November 2011 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160107062816/http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/EPAR_-_Public_assessment_report/human/002140/WC500122862.pdf |archive-date = 7 January 2016 |df = dmy-all }}</ref>

In Russia, versions of sumatriptan which are not registered in the State Register of Medicines may be regarded as narcotic drugs (derivatives of [[N,N-Dimethyltryptamine|dimethyltryptamine]]).<ref name="Order681">{{cite web|url=http://base.garant.ru/12112176/|title=Постановление Правительства РФ от 30 июня 1998 г. N 681 "Об утверждении перечня наркотических средств, психотропных веществ и их прекурсоров, подлежащих контролю в Российской Федерации" (с изменениями и дополнениями)|quote=ДМТ (диметилтриптамин) и его производные, за исключением производных, включенных в качестве самостоятельных позиций в перечень|publisher=[[Гарант (справочно-правовая система)|Гарант]]|access-date=28 April 2019|language=ru}}</ref>

===Generics===
Glaxo patents for sumatriptan expired in February 2009. At that time, Imitrex sold for about $25 a pill.<ref>{{cite web |title=GlaxoSmithKline sets out to dupe migraine sufferers with Treximet smoke and mirrors |date=24 April 2008 |publisher=Community Catalyst |url=https://www.communitycatalyst.org/blog/glaxosmithkline-sets-out-to-dupe-migraine-sufferers-with-treximet-smoke-and-mirrors-pal |access-date=22 March 2019}}</ref> [[Par Pharmaceutical]] then introduced generic versions of sumatriptan injection (sumatriptan succinate injection) 4- and 6-mg starter kits and 4- and 6-mg filled syringe cartridges, and 6-mg vials soon after.<ref>{{cite news |title = Par Pharmaceutical begins shipment of sumatriptan injection |url = http://www.parpharm.com/media/NR_20081106.jsp |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081210132734/http://www.parpharm.com/media/NR_20081106.jsp |url-status = dead |archive-date = 10 December 2008 |work = Par Pharmaceutical |date = 6 November 2008 |access-date = 25 November 2008 |df = dmy-all }}</ref>

[[Mylan|Mylan Laboratories Inc.]], [[Ranbaxy Laboratories]], Sandoz (a subsidiary of [[Novartis]]), [[Dr. Reddy's Laboratories]], and other companies have been producing generic versions of sumatriptan tablets in 25-, 50-, and 100-mg doses. Generic forms of the drug are available in U.S. and European markets after Glaxo's patent protections expired in the respective countries. A nasal spray form of sumatriptan known as AVP-825 has been developed by Avanir and is generically available in some countries.<ref>{{cite news | vauthors = LaMattina J |title = If You 'Want To Make A Good Drug Great' Cost Must Be Factored In |url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnlamattina/2015/03/03/if-you-want-to-make-a-good-drug-great-cost-must-be-factored-in/ |access-date = 13 February 2017 |work = Forbes |date = 2 March 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170214105140/http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnlamattina/2015/03/03/if-you-want-to-make-a-good-drug-great-cost-must-be-factored-in/ |archive-date = 14 February 2017 |df = dmy-all }}</ref>

=== Controversy ===
According to the [[American Headache Society]], "Patients frequently state that they have difficulty accessing triptans prescribed to them."<ref name="headache">{{Citation | vauthors=((Minen, M. T.)), ((Lindberg, K.)), ((Langford, A.)), ((Loder, E.)) | year=2017 | title=Variation in Prescription Drug Coverage for Triptans: Analysis of Insurance Formularies | journal=Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain | volume=57 | issue=8 | pages=1243–1251 | publisher=Wiley | doi=10.1111/head.13134 | pmid=28691382 | s2cid=42239120 | url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/head.13134| url-access=subscription }}</ref> In the U.S. triptans cost from $12 to $120 each, and more than 80% of U.S. health insurance plans place a limit on the amount of pills available to a patient per month, which has been called "arbitrary and unfair."<ref>{{citation |title=Practice Matters Wide Variation in Triptan Coverage Across Commercial and Government Health Plans | vauthors = Bender E |date=7 September 2017 |journal=[[Neurology Today]] |volume=17 |issue=17 |page=7 |publisher=[[American Academy of Neurology]] |doi=10.1097/01.NT.0000524839.20893.03 |s2cid=80167113 |url=https://journals.lww.com/neurotodayonline/fulltext/2017/09070/Practice_Matters__Wide_Variation_in_Triptan.4.aspx |access-date=26 June 2022|url-access=subscription }}</ref>