Boehringer's Pradaxa- First Pill to Replace Warfarin

The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), UK has recommended
Boehringer Ingelheim's new anti-coagulant Pradaxa (dabigatran) for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

This oral medicine is an alternative to Warfarin which has been the standard blood thinner since mid 1950. Unlike Warfarin; dabigatran does not require frequent blood tests to monitor treatment. This is a significant benefit for many patients with AF.

Boehringer beat Xarelto, from Bayer AG (BAYN.XE) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), and Eliquis from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.(BMY) and Pfizer Inc. (PFE) to become the first pill to replace warfarin.

However the final guidance on Pradaxa will be issued by NICE only in the next month.�

Source: Medindia