High price of novel antithrombotics a major deterrent to patient access in China

The high cost of therapy remains a significant barrier for uptake of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in the Chinese market. Warfarin, the mainstay of anticoagulation treatment, is listed in the national essential drugs list and is therefore fully reimbursed by the public health insurance schemes.

According to the latest findings of market research firm Decision Resources, over 90% of surveyed cardiologists are prescribing warfarin therapy for venous thromboembolism (VTE), and over half of them are prescribing warfarin for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with a higher risk of stroke, some in combination with aspirin. The emergence of several NOACs in recent years, however, is expected to reduce warfarin's market share in the coming years.

Other key findings from the Emerging Markets Physician & Payer Forum report, titled Novel Oral Anticoagulants in China: Physician and Payer Perspectives on the Evolving Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism, Atrial Fibrillation, and Acute Coronary Syndrome, are: