Bayer HealthCare’s Xarelto approval welcomed by UK experts

Bayer Healthcare has received a positive response from the UK medical sector following the approval of its drug Xarelto for two new indications.

The oral anticoagulant is to be made available to NHS patients as a cost-effective therapy for preventing deep vein thrombosis or stroke among patients suffering from atrial fibrillation, following its ratification by the European Commission this week.

Trudie Lobban, chief executive and founder of the Atrial Fibrillation Association, said the launch of a new therapy option for thrombosis and blood clots will have a positive impact on NHS resources and patient health.

Meanwhile, Professor Keith Fox from the University of Edinburgh stated: "Treatments which act at a key point in the blood-clotting process are now emerging as an important therapy option in both short and long-term clinical settings."

Xarelto is now the only oral anticoagulant approved in Europe for both of the new indications, in addition to the prevention of venous thromboembolism among surgery patients.