The pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer, has released a remake of the anticoagulant for addressing atrial fibrillation otherwise known as stroke, which is a major known reason for death in the Nigerian adult populace.
With hypertension as the leading heart disease in Nigerian adults, the statistics for affectation, are pegged at not less than ten million (10 million) Nigerian adults. From this given number, only about one- third are on effective treatment and medication. The disease continues to be on the rise. Thus, the need for improved treatments and therapies is constantly needed.
Speaking at the relaunch ceremony, Olayinka Subair, Cluster Lead, West Africa at Pfizer stated that Pfizer has been in the healthcare sector for more than 150 years globally. In this time, the have made major breakthroughs in the medical and scientific fields with vaccines and medicines. Development of life saving medicines, has been their key focus.
At Pfizer, they have identified the challenge that atrial fibrillation causes around the world and so the research for improved care has brought out that complications from heart conditions are preventable and reversible when early detection is made.
Also speaking, Professor Amam Chinyere Mbakwem, Professor of Medicine, Consultant Physican and Cardiologist at the College Of Medicine, University Of Lagos ( CMUL), who delivered the key note address entitled “Unmet Needs In Stroke Prevention For High Risk Patients with NVAF- Nigeria Perspective”, stated the components and use of Eliquis as an anticoagulant used in prevention of blood clot from forming in the heart in patieiwith irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), venous thromboembolism ( VTE). She explained that strokes are life threatening medical conditions that require immediate attention.
She stated that those who need this medication are those with heart valve replacement, congenital heart defects, abnormal heart rhythm. This drug will thin out blood from forming clots in any of the cases. Anticoagulants reduce chances of Stroke and heart attacks.
