Boehringer Ingelheim launches Pradaxa for DVT and PE in UK

Boehringer Ingelheim has made its anticoagulant therapy Pradaxa available in the UK for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

The multipurpose treatment was approved by the European Commission for the treatment of DVT and PE and prevention of recurrent DVT and PE in adults last month, based on data from three phase III clinical trials.

Pradaxa has shown greater efficacy in this indication than either warfarin or a placebo, while it has also been associated with lower rates of bleeding than warfarin. The product has the longest clinical trial experience in DVT and PE patients of any novel oral anticoagulant.

In addition to its proven safety and effectiveness, Boehringer Ingelheim's drug offers convenience through a fixed-dose regimen that does not require routine anticoagulation monitoring.

Dr Charles de Wet, UK medical director at Boehringer Ingelheim, said: "We are confident this decision will be similarly welcomed by both patients and clinicians."

This comes after the firm last month launched RE-CIRCUIT, a new study assessing the performance of Pradaxa in the practical management of patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing ablation.