Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate) – first new oral anticoagulant in nearly 60 years receives final NICE recommendation for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation in the UK 1

Ingelheim, Germany, 16 March 2011 – On 15 March, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued final guidance recommending the novel oral anticoagulant, Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate) ² as a cost-effective option for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) and one or more risk factors. ¹

This landmark decision means Pradaxa® must now be made available for use by the UK National Health Service (NHS) and that patients have the right to receive it if clinicians deem it clinically appropriate.