Drug decision brings new treatment for atrial fibrillation
July 01, 2013
Stroke survivors and those at risk of stroke due to an irregular heartbeat will soon have access to a new affordable treatment following an announcement from the Federal Government.
Anticoagulant, Rivaroxaban will now be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for the treatment of non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
National Stroke Foundation chief executive Dr Erin Lalor said the Government’s decision was welcome news to those affected.
“Many Australian patients are unable to take the existing blood-thinning medications, and without treatment, these patients are at increased risk of stroke – effectively a walking time bomb,” Dr Lalor said.
“While all drug therapies carry risk and do not guarantee a lifesaving outcome, this new treatment will give hope to patients who previously had no safe options available to them.”
Non-valvular atrial fibrillation is a form of arrhythmia and is also known as an irregular heartbeat. The condition is a significant risk factor for stroke, the nation’s second biggest cause of death and a major cause of disability.
The National Stroke Foundation Audit of Clinical Services in 2011 found that over one-third of all patients presenting with stroke had an irregular heartbeat and of these, only 30 per cent were on treatment before their stroke.
“People describe a vastly improved quality of life when they can find suitable treatment for an irregular heartbeat but for many of these people ongoing treatment without a subsidy from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme was simply too expensive,” Dr Lalor said.
“The Stroke Foundation strongly supports the introduction of new evidence-based therapies with appropriate patients, clinician education and ongoing monitoring of use.
“New therapies have the potential to reduce the number of preventable strokes and improve the quality of life for many stroke survivors and at-risk patients.”
Anticoagulant, Rivaroxaban will now be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for the treatment of non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
National Stroke Foundation chief executive Dr Erin Lalor said the Government’s decision was welcome news to those affected.
“Many Australian patients are unable to take the existing blood-thinning medications, and without treatment, these patients are at increased risk of stroke – effectively a walking time bomb,” Dr Lalor said.
“While all drug therapies carry risk and do not guarantee a lifesaving outcome, this new treatment will give hope to patients who previously had no safe options available to them.”
Non-valvular atrial fibrillation is a form of arrhythmia and is also known as an irregular heartbeat. The condition is a significant risk factor for stroke, the nation’s second biggest cause of death and a major cause of disability.
The National Stroke Foundation Audit of Clinical Services in 2011 found that over one-third of all patients presenting with stroke had an irregular heartbeat and of these, only 30 per cent were on treatment before their stroke.
“People describe a vastly improved quality of life when they can find suitable treatment for an irregular heartbeat but for many of these people ongoing treatment without a subsidy from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme was simply too expensive,” Dr Lalor said.
“The Stroke Foundation strongly supports the introduction of new evidence-based therapies with appropriate patients, clinician education and ongoing monitoring of use.
“New therapies have the potential to reduce the number of preventable strokes and improve the quality of life for many stroke survivors and at-risk patients.”