The objective of this report is to identify current utilization and expenditure on combinations and high doses of atypical antipsychotic agents for adolescents and adults with schizophrenia, in public and private drug plans in Canada.

Contents

• 1. INTRODUCTION
  • 1.1 COMPUS Expert Review Committee
• 2. ISSUE
  • 2.1 Schizophrenia
• 3. OBJECTIVE
• 4. PROJECT OVERVIEW
• 5. METHODS
  • 5.1 Analysis Design
  • 5.2 Data Sources
  • 5.3 Statistical Analysis
• 6. RESULTS
  • 6.1 Antipsychotic Drug Use for All Patients
  • 6.2 Antipsychotic Drug Use for Schizophrenia Patients
• 7. DISCUSSION
  • 7.1 Summary of Main Findings
  • 7.2 Strengths and Limitations
  • 7.3 Results in Relation to Previous Studies
• 8. CONCLUSION
• APPENDIX 1 EXPERT COMMITTEE AND CONTRIBUTORS
• APPENDIX 2 ABBREVIATIONS
• APPENDIX 3 DEFINITIONS
• APPENDIX 4 COST OF THERAPIES COMPARED USING ONTARIO PUBLIC DRUG PROGRAM DATA, ALL PATIENTS
• APPENDIX 5 COST OF THERAPIES COMPARED USING PRIVATELY FUNDED DRUG PLANS DATA, ALL PATIENTS
• APPENDIX 6 COST OF THERAPIES COMPARED USING ONTARIO PUBLIC DRUG PROGRAMS DATA, PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA
• APPENDIX 7 COST OF THERAPIES COMPARED USING PRIVATELY FUNDED DRUG PLANS DATA, PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA
• REFERENCES

This report is prepared by the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). This report contains a review of existing public literature, studies, materials, and other information and documentation (collectively the “source documentation”) available to CADTH at the time it was prepared, and it was guided by expert input and advice throughout its preparation.

The information in this report is intended to help health care decision-makers, patients, health care professionals, health systems leaders, and policy-makers make well-informed decisions and thereby improve the quality of health care services. The information in this report should not be used as a substitute for the application of clinical judgment in respect to the care of a particular patient or other professional judgment in any decision-making process, nor is it intended to replace professional medical advice. While CADTH has taken care in the preparation of this report to ensure that its contents are accurate, complete, and up-to-date, CADTH does not make any guarantee to that effect. CADTH is not responsible for any errors or omissions or injury, loss, or damage arising from or as a result of the use (or misuse) of any information contained in or implied by the information in this report.

CADTH takes sole responsibility for the final form and content of this report. The statements, conclusions, and views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the view of Health Canada or any provincial or territorial government.

Production of this report is made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada.