Physicians in Brazil and Mexico Ideally Prefer Novel Oral Anticoagulants Such as Bayer/Janssen's Xarelto Versus Conventional Anticoagulants for the Treatment of VTE, AF and ACS

BURLINGTON, Mass., July 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources Group finds that novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) such as Xarelto, Boehringer Ingelheim's Pradaxa and Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer's Eliquis are preferred treatments for venous thromboembolism (VTE), atrial fibrillation (AF) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among physicians and payers in Brazil and Mexico. However, there is lower actual NOAC usage than physicians' ideal prescribing preferences due to limited formulary coverage of NOACs and the high out-of-pocket costs of NOACs relative to conventional anticoagulants in both countries. To obtain formulary coverage, manufacturers of NOACs must demonstrate superior cost-savings with their therapies, which can potentially preclude the additional expenses associated with conventional anticoagulants (such as costs of blood monitoring visits and re-hospitalizations).

Other key findings from the Emerging Markets Physician and Payer Forum reportentitled Novel Oral Anticoagulants in LATAM (Brazil and Mexico): Physician and Payer Perspectives on the Evolving Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism, Atrial Fibrillation, and Acute Coronary Syndromeinclude:

• Lack of private outpatient coverage: In Brazil, HMOs provide inpatient coverage of NOACs but not outpatient coverage. This creates situations in which patients change anticoagulant treatment upon transitioning to the outpatient setting after stays in private hospitals.
• Variable public coverage of NOACs: In Mexico, the coverage of NOACs varies between the national public healthcare institutions, ranging from requiring out-of-pocket payment to coverage for NOACs for most cardiovascular indications with regulatory approval.
• Differences in prescribing between the public and private sectors: Patient shares of NOACs are substantially different between the public and private sectors in Brazil and Mexico.

Comments from Decision Resources Group Analyst Solsire Zevallos, Ph.D.:

• "Similar to the situation in the United States and Europe, Xarelto enjoys superior market access in Brazil and Mexico versus the other NOACs. Xarelto has a more convenient once-daily dosing versus the other NOACs and was earlier-to-market versus Eliquis, which appears to be impacted by lower physician familiarity."
• "Payers in Brazil and Mexico expect an increase in NOAC prescribing at the expense of conventional anticoagulants. However, they also indicate that such changes in the prescribing of anticoagulants are more likely to occur initially in the private versus the public sector."

Upcoming webinar:

• Media members are welcome to attend our upcoming webinar based on this report entitled Novel Oral Anticoagulants in Brazil and Mexico: How to Maximize Current Usage and Gain Patient Shares Over Conventional Anticoagulants. This presentation will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2014. For more information, please contact Christopher Comfort at [e-mail].

About Decision Resources Group
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For more information, contact:

Decision Resources Group
Christopher Comfort
781-993-2597
[e-mail]

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SOURCE Decision Resources Group