In guidance issued in February 2013, NICE recommends apixaban as an option for preventing stroke and systemic embolism in people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation within its marketing authorisation. The Appraisal Committee concluded that apixaban had been shown to be cost effective compared with warfarin, the most plausible incremental cost-effectiveness ratio being less than £20,000 per QALY gained.
The clinical guideline on Atrial Fibrillation is currently being updated – this will incorporate recommendations from this guidance, and those regarding dabigatran (TA249) and rivaroxaban (TA256).