Pill 'to prevent blood clots'

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The drug Pradaxa has been licensed for patients who have had a hip or knee replaced, which increases their risk of suffering a blood clot for around six weeks after the operation.

Every year, clots kill around 25,000 men and women in hospitals across England.

Pradaxa, made by German firm Boehringer Ingelheim, is the first new oral pill anti-coagulant (blood thinner) in the UK for 50 years since the introduction of warfarin.

Warfarin must be monitored to ensure it does not thin the blood too much but Pradaxa needs no such checks.

Trials have also shown that Pradaxa is just as effective as Heparin, which is given by injection.

The drugs watchdog the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) is currently appraising Pradaxa for widespread use on the NHS but doctors will be able to prescribe it in the meantime at their discretion.

Dr Beverley Hunt, medical director of the thrombosis charity Lifeblood, said: "The prevention of blood clots with blood thinners after surgery is not done well in the UK.

"One of the problems is that current blood thinners can only be given as an injection. We therefore very much welcome the arrival of a tablet for adults undergoing hip and knee surgery.

"The need for and potential impact of a generally well-tolerated oral anticoagulant that does not require monitoring, is profound."