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New Study Improves Treatment & Saves Drug & Hospital
Costs: Dr Shitij Kapur, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry Schizophrenia Originally published 1in 996,quoted on qspc site "The problem with many antipsychotic drugs, is that the side-effects can be so awful that patients become convinced the drug is the enemy, and stop taking it. When that happens they often lapse into psychosis and have to be hospitalized. Since these drugs are the best available treatment for schizophrenia, and the cost and side effects of these drugs are considerable, it is imperative that we find the lowest effective dose. " A team of Clarke Institute of Psychiatry researchers have found that patients with schizophrenia improve on far lower doses of antipsychotic medication than traditionally prescribed, and with far fewer of the debilitating side effects. Their finding could improve the life of individuals with schizophrenia and save millions in drug and hospital costs. On the basis of this work, Dr Kapur who led the research, encourages clinicians initiating treatment for schizophrenia to use low doses of typical antipsychotics - particularly for patients experiencing their first episode of psychosis. The findings have been published in the July issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry. The costs are enormous. Schizophrenia accounts for 2.5% of total health care expenditures in any province - far more than any other serious illness. In Canada, people with chronic schizophrenia occupy 8% of all hospital beds - more beds than people suffering from cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis combined. It is estimated that schizophrenia costs Canadian society more than $4 billion per year - $2.3 billion in direct health care costs and $2 billion in indirect costs such as welfare and support payments. The emotional cost to the individuals and their families is incalculable. home / QSPC
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