CDR recommends reimbursement for schizophrenia drug, ABILIFY

Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada is pleased to announce that the Common Drug Review (CDR) has recognized the value of ABILIFY^® (aripiprazole) for the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders by recommending it be reimbursed by provincial drug plans for patients who have a contraindication to less-expensive antipsychotic agents or who have failed a trial of less expensive antipsychotic agents due to intolerance or lack of response.

This new decision recognizes the need for additional therapeutic options for Canadian physicians to treat these serious, complex and life-altering mental illnesses that cause great hardship to patients and their families, at great cost to society. Schizophrenia affects approximately 1% of the adult population, which in Canada amounts to approximately 285,000 people out of the 28.5 million residents age 15 and older.

With current therapy, more than 40% of people with schizophrenia stop taking their medication within the first year - mainly because of treatment side effects. This causes further problems including return of symptoms, relapse and hospitalization. When the disease is not effectively treated, it places a heavy burden on the quality of life of patients, families and caregivers and the health care system.

ABILIFY^® is already reimbursed by the provincial drug plans in Quebec (which is not part of the CDR process) and British Columbia. Bristol-Myers Squibb is hopeful that this new positive recommendation by CDR will lead to other provinces agreeing to reimburse ABILIFY through their public drug plans in the near future.