RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — A drug used to prevent stroke in patients with a form of atrial fibrillation has won preferred Tier 2 formulary status with pharmacy benefit managers Medco Health Solutions and CVS Caremark.

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals announced Monday that CVS Caremark and Medco had added Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate mesylate) capsules to their commercial preferred drug lists, and Medco had added the drug to its Part D drug list.

“These formulary additions will offer nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients increased access to Pradaxa, including its demonstrated ability to significantly reduce the risk of stroke over warfarin in this patient population,” Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals VP cardiovascular and metabolic disorders marketing Wa’el Hashad said. “We look forward to a long relationship with CVS Caremark and Medco, and are committed to working with other pharmacy benefit managers, as well as offering our own programs to help make Pradaxa available to patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.”