NICE backs Pradaxa for treating and preventing potentially fatal blood clots

In final guidance published today, UK health cost watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended German family-owned pharma major Boehringer Ingelheim’s anti-blood clotting drug Pradaxa (dabigatran) for additional uses.

The drug is now backed as an option for treating and preventing recurrent and potentially fatal blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis; DVT) and lungs (pulmonary embolism; PE) in adults. The announcement follows recent draft guidance also backing Pradaxa in these indications. NICE approved the drug as an option for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in people with atrial fibrillation in 2013.

“For many people, using warfarin can be difficult because of the need for frequent tests to see if the blood is clotting properly, and having to adjust the dose of the drug if it is not,” said Carole Longson, director of the NICE Health Technology Evaluation Centre. “The Appraisal Committee felt that dabigatran represents a potential benefit for many people who have had a DVT or PE, particularly those who have risk factors for recurrence of a blood clot and who therefore need longer term treatment. We are pleased, therefore, to be able to recommend dabigatran as a cost-effective option for treating DVT and PE and preventing further episodes in adults,” Prof Longson added.

Cost and ICER details