No Measures Against New Anticoagulants

There will be no measures against new blood thinners that may cause gastrointestinal bleeding. This was answered by Minister Edith Schippers of Health on Wednesday to the House, to written questions from the SP. In June, a study of the Erasmus MC in Rotterdam showed that the risk of bleeding with the new anticoagulants is 45 percent higher than with the current standard treatment. Blood thinners make sure that the blood remains thin enough and no blood clots will occur. The Medicines Evaluation Board (MEB) sees no reason to take action. According to Schippers, the MEB, together with the European registration authorities, consider whether the balance between efficacy and risks of medicines is still positive. With traditional blood thinners (such as warfarin and phenprocoumon), the patient is checked regularly by the thrombosis service. The new generation (new oral anticoagulants, NOAC) is easier to use. Thus patients do not always have to visit the thrombosis service. Schippers points out that despite the slightly increased risk of bleedings, the NOAC pose a much lower risk of severe brain bleeding. "While prescribing the doctor should always find a balance," said the minister. The MEB follows the use and risks of new anticoagulants 'intensively'.