Abstract
Drug development in psychiatry has famously been something of a stop–start process. First, there were no truly effective psychotherapeutic agents, then, in the 1950s, phenothiazines, monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclics all appeared in the space of a few years. Then, virtually nothing: no substantial developments for 25 years. In the mid–1980s the first selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors appeared, heralding a new era in psychopharmacology. Then, in 1990 clozapine was re-introduced, to be followed by other atypical antipsychotics and by drugs such as donepezil and acamprosate for entirely new indications. In addition, research into antidepressant therapy has produced new agents with varied modes of action and new strategies for the treatment of refractory depression.
Highlights
Drug development in psychiatry has famously been something of a stop-start process
The most important con straint on the use of new drugs is the absence or inadequacy of National Health Service (NHS) funding. This has perhaps been most clearly demonstrated by the National Schizophrenia Fellowship survey (Hogman, 1996) which showed that 55% of 719 psychiatrists felt that cost in some way inhibited their use of clozapine
Ifwe are to accept that at least some of the new drugs are an important step forward and that tiht eiisr culseearisthcautrre'tnhtelysyinsatedmeq' uhataeslyfafiulenddeuds, tahnedn, sadly, failed those suffering from mental illness. wiTthhoisut fafiilrusrte ucnadnenrsottandpirnogperl'ythebesyusntedmer'st-oothde pNrHovSi.dAesn foupntdiminigstitco vloiecwaliasutthhaotritthiees Goorv'eprunrmcheant sers' who apportion funds to local services according to local needs and priorities
Summary
Drug development in psychiatry has famously been something of a stop-start process. First, there were no truly effective psychotherapeutic agents, in the 1950s, phenothiazines, monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclics all appeared in the space of a few years. Not the least is that drugs form only part of the holistic treatment of any psychiatric illness and other aspects of care, community care, are in urgent need of re-examination and perhaps change. The most important con straint on the use of new drugs is the absence or inadequacy of National Health Service (NHS) funding.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
