23
Nov 2021
NHS estimates new blood-thinning drug deal will save 5,000 lives and prevent 21,000 strokes
It is estimated that over 5,000 lives could be saved and 21,000 strokes prevented thanks to a new NHS deal to expand the use of life-saving blood thinning medication – NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard says 610,000 patients could benefit from the scheme over the next three years.
Following negotiations with drug manufacturers, the NHS will pay less for oral anticoagulants from next year.
The drugs help prevent strokes by treating blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation, a condition which causes an often abnormally fast and irregular heart rate.
Ms Pritchard said at a recent NHS Providers conference “The agreements struck by NHS England will save thousands of lives and prevent many more people suffering the debilitating effects of strokes by making this treatment available to hundreds of thousands more patients.
“The health service now has a proven track record of striking deals with manufacturers to ensure patients in England get cutting-edge care at a price which offers best value for taxpayers.”
Helen Williams, NHS England’s national specialty adviser for cardiovascular disease prevention said the agreement was good news for the estimated 1.5 million people in England with atrial fibrillation, which is estimated to cause one in five strokes.
She said “Not only is stroke one of the biggest killers in our country, but it leads to life-changing and often devastating long-term harm for many others.
“By ensuring these drugs are made available for all people with atrial fibrillation who are at risk of stroke, the NHS will not only prevent serious harm to the people affected, but avoid the need for aftercare which puts additional pressure on the health service.”
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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
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