Pharmacists can play a critical role in promoting evidence-based use of warfarin by implementing point-of-care INR monitoring services, an Australian expert says.
Presenting at the Pharmacy Expo 2011 in Sydney last Saturday, Dr Luke Bereznicki, a senior lecturer in pharmacy practice at the University of Tasmania, said an increase in atrial fibrillation (AF) had driven a rise in warfarin use, with PBS data showing an eight to 10 per cent increase annually.
“Even though we have these new antithrombotics that are now reaching the market it’s important to recognise that there are some potential complications,” he warned.
Challenges encompassed a lack of validated tests to measure their anticoagulant effect, greater difficulties in assessing compliance compared with warfarin, no established therapeutic range and limited...
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