Blood-thinning drug’s guidelines may be flawed

Guidelines for doctors about a blood-thinning drug may be flawed, according to a British Medical Journal investigation published today.

It has raised concerns about the regulatory decisions that led to the approval of Pradaxa, favoured by patients because they do not have to undergo the regular blood tests needed with Warfarin.

According to the BMJ, drugmaker Boehringer Ingelheim holds documentary evidence that blood tests could reduce major bleeds among patients taking Pradaxa.