if the switch did happen as quickly as dew believes then I would like to know what factor (cultural? Political? Budgetary? Patient preference? ...)
My guess would be the strongest factor is patient preference.
and why doctors are able to live with such drawbacks as lack of reversibility and age related issues (I know for a fact that doctors in the US are leery of precisely these issues)
Because there are many advantages and the patient is aware or being notified about the drawbacks and still requests the new anticoagulant. (and of course these doctors are armed with very good insurance policies )