Pradaxa gains preferred formulary status with 2 key PBMs

Dabigatran etexilate mesylate (Pradaxa, Boehringer Ingelheim) capsules have received tier 2 formulary status with 2 key pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).  Pradaxa was approved in October 2010 to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

The addition of Pradaxa to CVS Caremark (Commercial Preferred Drug List) and Medco (Commercial Preferred and Part D Drug Lists) formularies will offer NVAF patients increased access to Pradaxa.

“The Pradaxa preferred formulary status change is important since this novel agent for treatment of NVAF is now available at the lowest branded co-pay on formularies that insure about 35% of NVAF patients,” said Formulary Editorial Advisor Robert A. Quercia, MS, RPh, medical editor, Department of Pharmacy Services, University of Connecticut/Hartford Hospital, Evidence-based Practice Center, Hartford, Conn.

In the RE-LY trial, Pradaxa 150-mg capsules taken twice daily reduced the incidence of stroke and systemic embolism by 35% beyond the reduction achieved with warfarin, which was dosed to a target international normalized ratio (INR) of 2.0 to 3.0. The effects of Pradaxa compared to warfarin were more apparent in patients with lower levels of INR control.