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Psychiatrists Believe There is a Need for New, Highly Effective Medications to Treat Patients With Schizophrenia, According to National Survey

Posted on: Wednesday, 23 May 2007, 09:00 CDT

TITUSVILLE, N.J., May 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A majority of psychiatrists feel there is a need for new, highly effective medication options for treating people with schizophrenia, with only one out of five finding the currently available medication options sufficient, according to a survey of psychiatrists evaluating current practices and needs in the treatment of schizophrenia. Janssen, L. P. released these findings today. Harris Interactive conducted the survey.

The goal of the survey was to quantitatively measure the opinion of psychiatrists about the need for additional therapeutic options in the treatment of schizophrenia by understanding current prescribing and treatment options, decision-making practices, and level of patient compliance.

"Since previous research has demonstrated a general clinical consensus that medications which may work well for one patient may not work well for another, these survey findings reinforce the need for patients with schizophrenia to have access to enough appropriate options to address their specific clinical needs," said Peter Buckley, MD, chair of the Medical College of Georgia Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior.

More Efficacious Options Needed

The vast majority of the psychiatrists surveyed -- 95% -- felt there is a need for new, highly effective medication options for treating schizophrenia, with nearly all believing (94%) their patients would directly benefit if such medications were available. Furthermore, only 19% of psychiatrists perceived that currently available medication options for schizophrenia are sufficient. Also, the majority of psychiatrists (55%) surveyed changed their patients' medication regimens more than once in the past 12 months, citing lack of efficacy as the primary reason for the change.

Pursuit of Efficacy in Context of Safety The majority of psychiatrists rated overall effectiveness (60%) as the most important criterion when choosing a new schizophrenia medication for their patients, followed by safety, tolerability and side effects (49%) and the elimination of delusions, hallucinations, suspiciousness, and excitability (31%). However, medication-related side effects were also of great concern. Yet, 72% of psychiatrists reported willingness to trade off some safety/tolerability in pursuit of efficacy when deciding on a medication option.

Patient Noncompliance

Psychiatrists perceived noncompliance to be widespread among patients with schizophrenia, with as many as 79% reporting that their patients forget to take their medication at least occasionally. Nearly all psychiatrists felt this lack of compliance negatively impacts medication effectiveness (93%), but practitioners (73%) are optimistic they play the most influential role in the success of treatment, along with caregivers (73%).

"Psychiatrists overwhelmingly report that their patient's lack of compliance negatively impacts the effectiveness of their medication," Dr. Buckley said. "However, schizophrenia can be treated successfully with the right treatment regimen and encouragement from practitioners, counselors, family, and friends to hopefully reverse this noncompliance trend."

Survey/Study Design

In this study, 405 psychiatrists recruited from the American Medical Association master file participated in online interviews conducted between August 28, 2006 and September 9, 2006. Respondents represented primary practice locations including inpatient or outpatient facilities, private practice or office-based settings, or other facilities where medical attention is provided including prisons, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and/or emergency rooms. All respondents were required to treat 10 or more patients per month who suffer from schizophrenia.

A complete methodology and additional details about the study design are available by request.

Worldwide, it is estimated that 1 person in every 100 develops schizophrenia, one of the most serious types of mental illness. It is marked by positive symptoms (hallucinations and delusions) and negative symptoms (depression, blunted emotions, and social withdrawal), as well as by disorganized thinking.(1)

Janssen, L.P., based in Titusville, NJ, is the only large pharmaceutical company in the United States dedicated solely to mental health. The company currently markets prescription medications for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar mania and irritability associated with autistic disorder. For more information about Janssen, L.P. visit http://www.janssen.com/.

Harris Interactive is the 12th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world. The company provides innovative research, insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what it believes to be the world's largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiaries Novatris in France and MediaTransfer AG in Germany, and through a global network of independent market research firms. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at http://www.harrisinteractive.com/.

(1.) What is it? Overview of schizophrenia. Available at: http://www.schizophrenia.com/family/sz.overview.htm. Accessed November 20, 2006.

Janssen, L.P.

CONTACT: Ambre Morley of Janssen, L.P., +1-609-730-3429,amorley1@gpcus.jnj.com

Web site: http://www.janssen.com/http://www.harrisinteractive.com/http://www.schizophrenia.com/family/sz.overview.htm

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire

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