As part of the LNDG consideration of dabigatran, Medicines Information colleagues initiated some work with specialist pharmacists (particular thanks to Frances Akinwunmi, Consultant Pharmacist Anticoagulation, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust) and the York Health Economic Consortium to develop an economic model for stroke prevention in AF. The model is intended to enable commissioners and providers to estimate the cost implications of selected patient groups moving from warfarin to dabigatran.
 
It is set up to allow exploration of either medicines costs or net treatment costs (included avoided adverse clinical events). On opening it, there are a number of green cells that permit the data used in the model to be overridden by local figures where these are available. The model is offered as a tool to help inform local discussions, not as a substitute for evidence appraisal and decision-making processes.
 
Following some user testing, the model appears to be reasonably intuitive to use, but if you would like advice on its operation, or have any comments, please contact David Erskine (nelm_support@gstt.nhs.uk).