Bristol-Myers Squibb/Otsuka's Abilify is a Preferred Branded Agent for the Treatment of Schizophrenia, According to Surveyed U.S. Psychiatrists and Payers

BURLINGTON, Mass., Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources Group finds that Bristol-Myers Squibb/Otsuka's Abilify is the branded agent with the highest patient share in schizophrenia, according to U.S. psychiatrists surveyed. Abilify is also one of the most preferred branded antipsychotics relative to other branded antipsychotics, according to surveyed managed care organization (MCO) medical director/pharmacy directors (MDs/PDs). The findings also reveal that the majority of surveyed psychiatrists perceive current antipsychotics to be only somewhat effective in reducing negative or cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Among emerging agents that were profiled, encenicline (Forum Pharmaceuticals/Bayer HealthCare/Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma) garnered the greatest expected patient share from surveyed psychiatrists, if the drug were to be reimbursed on a favorable tier for the treatment of cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS).

Other key findings from the U.S. Physician and Payer Forum report entitled Beyond Positive Symptoms: How Receptive Are U.S. Psychiatrists and Payers to Therapies Targeting Negative or Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia?:

• Psychiatrist approaches for the treatment of CIAS and negative symptoms of schizophrenia: Survey results suggest that among the antipsychotic drug class, Abilify, Latuda (Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma/Sunovion/Takeda), and clozapine (Novartis's Clozaril, generics; Jazz Pharmaceutical's FazaClo, generics) may offer a greater improvement in CIAS and negative symptoms than other current antipsychotics. In addition, the majority of surveyed psychiatrists who currently prescribe pharmacotherapy for the treatment of CIAS or negative symptoms indicate they prescribe an adjunctive treatment to an antipsychotic for the treatment of these symptoms, highlighting the market potential for adjunctive treatments for schizophrenia.
• Payer opinion on use of adjunctive therapies for treatment of CIAS or negative symptoms: The majority of surveyed MCO MDs/PDs indicated that they reimburse adjunctive therapies with an antipsychotic for the treatment of schizophrenia. An important factor that influences surveyed MDs/PDs to reimburse multiple therapies is a belief that combination use will address positive symptoms in treatment-refractory patients. Few surveyed payers believe an adjunctive therapy is an effective treatment for negative symptoms or CIAS, a potential market hurdle for emerging therapies for the treatment of CIAS or negative symptoms.

Comments from Decision Resources Group Senior Business Insights Analyst Alana Simorellis, Ph.D.:

• "While drug development for schizophrenia is understandably focused on the treatment of positive symptoms, important areas of additional unmet need exist, namely effective treatment for CIAS or for negative symptoms. Development in these areas is underway, with clinical trials assessing promising agents like the alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, encenicline."

• "Although there is little evidence to support the role of adjunctive therapies for the treatment of negative symptoms or CIAS, physicians currently have few options to adequately address these troubling symptoms. Based on their current prescribing of adjunctive therapies, survey results suggest that physicians would be open to adding a novel adjunctive therapy to an antipsychotic regimen for the treatment of negative or cognitive symptoms, given sufficient efficacy and reasonable market access restrictions."

About Decision Resources Group

Decision Resources Group offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on critical issues within the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Find out more at www.DecisionResourcesGroup.com.

All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

For more information, contact:

Decision Resources Group
Christopher Comfort
781-993-2597
[email protected]

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SOURCE Decision Resources Group

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