The High Price of Novel Antithrombotic Therapies Is a Major Deterrent to Patient Access in China as Physicians Continue to Use Warfarin

BURLINGTON, Mass., June 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources Group finds that 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 our findings, over 90 percent 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 entitled Novel Oral Anticoagulants in China: Physician and Payer Perspectives on the Evolving Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism, Atrial Fibrillation, and Acute Coronary Syndrome:

• Xarelto is most commonly used VTE agent: Bayer/Janssen's Xarelto is the most commonly used NOAC for the prevention of VTE in China. Until the approval of Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer's Eliquis in 2013, it was the only NOAC approved for this indication.
• Available agents for stroke prevention: Boehringer Ingelheim's Pradaxa is currently the only NOAC indicated for the prevention of stroke in AF, although Xarelto and Eliquis are expected to compete in the AF market in the next several years.
• Xarelto's uptake and reimbursement: Xarelto is currently the only NOAC that has gained reimbursement status, a strong driving factor for its uptake in China; as a type B drug on the national reimbursement drug list (NRDL), the anticoagulant benefits from a 50 percent to 90 percent reimbursement rate.
• Increasing use of NOACs: Payers anticipate more NOACs will be reimbursable by 2016, and physicians expect to increase their use of NOACs to replace warfarin if they become reimbursable.

Comments from Decision Resources Group Analyst Jonathan Chan, M.MedSc.:

• "The high price of novel therapies such as the NOACs is a major deterrent for the government to include these agents into the national reimbursement lists when cheaper alternatives are available."
• "The unmet need for an antithrombotic agent that is safer and easier to use to displace warfarin has been apparent for years. Both physicians and payers recognize NOACs as effective emerging therapies and anticipate increased use of these agents in the future."

Additional resources:

• Media members are welcome to view an upcoming playback of a presentation based on this report entitled Novel Oral Anticoagulants in China: How Do Physicians and Payers Anticipate Using Novel Therapies in the Coming Years? For more information, please contact Christopher Comfort at [email protected].

About Decision Resources Group
Decision Resources Group offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on critical issues within the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Find out more at www.DecisionResourcesGroup.com.

All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

For more information, contact: 

Decision Resources Group 
Christopher Comfort 
781-993-2597  
[email protected]

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SOURCE Decision Resources Group

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