Schizophrenia Daily News Blog

Atypical Antipsychotic Patents to Expire in 2007

Virtually all schizophrenia patients need some sort of medication therapy to help control their symptoms. Typical anti-psychotic medications are effective for some, but many others find the numerous side-effects unbearable. Moreover, this older school of drugs often only treats the positive symptoms of schizophrenia without addressing the cognitive, negative symptoms which can be equally debilitating.

Many patients who cannot benefit from typical medications are finding relief from atypical antipsychotics such as Zyprexa, Abilify, Risperdal, Seroquel, and Geodon. Although they can be more effective with fewer side effects, these drugs are inevitably more expensive.

However, although they are driving the treatment market now, the patent on these pharmaceuticals is due to expire in 2007. The door will then be wide open for similar, more affordable generic drugs.

"Generics will have the greatest impact on the U.S. market, which is the largest and most receptive market for generics," said Michelle Grady, analyst at Decision Resources. "This market will experience a 3.0% annual decline over the period 2008-2013. The launch of depot formulations of atypical antipsychotics and a few other less promising emerging agents will be the only protection against a more precipitous decline."
For more information, please see the full-text article