Anum Baig, MD: Overcoming Barriers in Schizophrenia Care

There are barriers in schizophrenia treatment that ultimately lead to a reduction in prescription rates and treatment adherence for clozapine.

In research presented at the 2021 American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting, a team identified barriers to prescribing the treatment include the provider’s lack of knowledge and training, concern about side effects, and frequent monitoring as the greatest barriers to overcome.

The investigators examined all available studies to identify the leading causes that present the prescription of clozapine, considered the top treatment for schizophrenia.

In addition, approximately 30% of schizophrenia patients do not respond to the medication.

In an interview with HCPLive®, Anum Iqbal Baig, MD, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science, suggested ways to overcome some of the barriers found.

Baig said education, both for the patient and prescriber, would be the best way to reduce some of the hurdles that prevents more wide-scale use of clozapine for schizophrenia patients.

Baig also explained why some of the gaps in treatment persist and why it is important for researchers to try to find new treatments that reduce some of the side effects