Drug Companies Look To Expand Anti-Clotting Drug Market

Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson is seeking U.S. approval for a third use of its new anticlotting pill, Xarelto. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the company is asking the Food and Drug Administration to approve the clot-preventing drug for patients with acute coronary syndrome where the narrowing or blockage of a blood vessel suddenly reduces blood flow to the heart muscle, causing unstable chest pain or a heart attack.

The drug was first approved eight weeks ago for use in patients who suffer from an irregular heart beat known as atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem. That’s when the heart’s upper chambers flutter irregularly, reducing blood flow through the heart and increasing the risk of clots and stroke. It’s estimated that more than 2 million Americans have the condition.

The drug is part of a newer class of anticlotting drugs and is seen as a viable alternative to the traditional blood thinner warfarin, which is also sold under the brand name Coumadin.

Johnson & Johnson is not the only pharmaceutical company seeking to expand in this part of the drug market. Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., and Pfizer Inc both applied for FDA approval of their Eliquis for preventing strokes and blood clots in atrial fibrillation patients.

How the FDA responds to these growing requests will be telling as recent stories have focused on the fallout from rushing through an approval that is based on inconclusive science or compromised research. The pharmaceutical injury attorneys at Lord & Faris always want patients to have the most effective medicines at their disposal, but only after sufficient review by the agency to ensure only the safest drugs make it into the marketplace.

If you or a loved one has been injured after taking prescription medication, contact the attorneys at Lord & Faris for a free consultation as you may have a claim.

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