The drug Rivaroxaban, which is the equivalent of Xarelto and Rivaban, has begun to be distributed in pharmacies and will be offered free of charge to patients who use it, and in some cases to patients using warfarin. This was announced on Thursday by Health Minister Chris Fearne.

Patients who are already using Xarelto and Rivaban may be entitled to Rivaroxaban free of charge, through the Pharmacy of Your Choice (POYC) scheme by contacting their family doctor, or Health Centre doctor in order to make an appointment with a dedicated clinic within the Primary Health Care system where they will be prescribed this medicine.

The medicine can then be collected with the other medicines offered free of charge to POYC patients. This can be done immediately, the Health Minister said.

Patients using warfarin will be guided on whether to switch to this medicine instead of taking warfarin at the next blood test, following a discussion with their doctor.

Dr Fearne said that with the introduction of this medicine on the Government formulary around ten thousand patients will save between €80 and €110 a month.

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