News Release

New study shows prescribing of newer antipsychotic medication risperdal may save millions in schizophrenia care

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Ketchum UK

11th July 2000, Brussels -- Treatment with the newer antipsychotic medication Risperdal® (risperidone) for patients with schizophrenia could have the potential to save millions of dollars from healthcare budgets across the world, according to a major new study presented at the Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum (CINP) meeting in Belgium.

The study evaluated the cost-effectiveness (1,901 patients, 61 centres, 9 countries) of newer treatments for schizophrenia and showed that treating patients with schizophrenia with Risperdal, versus olanzapine, resulted in a saving of $2.80 US per patient per day1. This corresponds to a saving of $1,022 US per patient per year ($2.80 X 365 days).

Schizophrenia is a common serious mental illness. It is estimated that one person in every 100 worldwide will develop schizophrenia by the age of 45, with men and women equally at risk2.

Dr Koen Torfs, Head of Health Economics and Outcomes Research at Janssen Pharmaceutica explained, "We already know that the newer medicines for schizophrenia are both more cost-effective and have fewer side effects than older medicines, this can in turn encourage patients to stay on therapy long-term. However, this new study adds further knowledge to our understanding about the cost-effectiveness between the newer therapies for schizophrenia and the possible impacts they may have on healthcare budgets around the world".

Studies directly comparing the cost effectiveness between the new schizophrenia treatments are vital to justify modern prescribing decisions. "This new data from the RODOS study1 now answers long-standing questions about the differences in cost and effectiveness between these new treatments, and provides doctors and healthcare providers with the evidence they need to ensure cost-effective prescribing for schizophrenia", said Professor Siegfried Kasper MD, Professor and Chairman, Department of General Psychiatry, University of Vienna.

The objective of the RODOS study (Risperidone Olanzapine Drug Outcomes Study in Schizophrenia conducted by the Janssen Research Foundation) was to compare two newer schizophrenia medicines, Risperdal and olanzapine, in a real-life clinical setting.

Study results showed that the daily cost of the studied medication was 50% higher for olanzapine than for Risperdal (mean $6.50 USD +/- $2.30 for olanzapine versus $3.70 USD +/- $1.90 for Risperdal, a saving of $2.80 per patient per day on Risperdal). This evidence was consistent and conclusive across all countries and centres (p<0.0001). Total costs for all inpatient drug use were also significantly different (p<0.0001) and were substantially higher in the olanzapine group than in the Risperdal group (mean $297.5 +/- $301.10 USD for olanzapine versus mean $159.9 +/- $183.3 USD in Risperdal group). Patients treated with Risperdal were also discharged sooner than patients being treated with olanzapine. This result was reflected in the shorter length of stay in hospital among Risperdal patients (mean 43.6 days versus 47.4 days) rather than olanzapine patients.

Medical professionals want the best possible outcomes for patients, but in today's increasingly cost constrained health environment, doctors have to justify their prescribing decisions.

The daily savings per patient, derived from the RODOS study, may translate into very large figures given the high prevalence of schizophrenia worldwide, which affects people from all countries, socio-economic groups and cultures2. Savings of $7.5 US billion in Europe (population 729m3 X 1/100 patients with schizophrenia X $1,022 per patient per year saving), $3.1 billion US in Northern America (population 307m3), and $61 billion US a year across the world (population 6 billion3) can be derived when estimating that all patients with schizophrenia are switched from olanzapine to Risperdal therapies.

"The RODOS results are good news because better treatment for schizophrenia should reduce the burden of illness for patients and their families, as well as the costs to healthcare budgets and society at large. This has significant implications for prescribing by psychiatrists and primary care specialists around the world," concluded Professor Kasper.

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Janssen Pharmaceutica is headquartered in Beerse, Belgium. Risperdal is marketed globally by Janssen-Cilag, and in partnership with NV Organon in the European Union (except for Italy, Spain and Finland, where it is marketed by Janssen-Cilag only), Norway, Switzerland, Brazil and Argentina. Janssen Pharmaceutica has been a member of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies since 1961. Johnson & Johnson is the world's largest and most comprehensive manufacturer of healthcare products, serving the pharmaceutical, professional and consumer markets.

Note for editors

  • The RODOS study showed daily savings of $2.80 US per day per patient with schizophrenia prescribed with Risperdal ($6.50 US for olanzapine versus $3.70 for patient prescribed Risperdal).
  • Country by country population statistics can be obtained from the United Nations Population Division. Population in all countries 1998. Website page: (http://www.popin.org/pop1998/2.htm)
  • Schizophrenia is one of the most common severe mental illnesses, and can result in long term chronic disability. Schizophrenia places a major economic burden on society. Treatment of schizophrenia accounts for approximately 2.5% of annual total healthcare expenditure in the USA, 2% in France and the Netherlands, and 1.6% in the UK.

For further information, please contact:
Ketchum
In Brussels
Anna Korving: mobile 44-410-420-523
Roseann Ward: mobile 44-7770-794235
In London
Ross Williams: 44-20-7465-7043
John Gisborne: 44-20-7465-8753
Tamsin Page: 44-20-7465-7688

References:
1. "Risperidone and Olanzapine Drug Outcomes Study in Schizophrenia". Poster presentation at the Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum, Brussels, Belgium. 9-13th July 2000.
2. American Psychiatric Association. "Practice guidelines for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia". Supplement to Am J Psychiatry 1997: 154; 4 .
3. The World at Six Billion; Population of the world and its major areas. The United Nations Population Division (website page: http://www.popin.org/6billion/t02.htm).



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