Abstract
New and Improved Antipsychotic Drugs Find Increased Use in Bipolar
Disorder Market
The success of innovative atypical antipsychotic drugs such as Zyprexa,
Risperdal, and Seroquel has turned the focus of drug manufacturers from the
schizophrenia market to the bipolar disorder market. Not only do these new drugs
effectively control the manic symptoms of the illness but they also offer a
superior side effects profile by eliminating related complications such as
movement disorders and prolactin elevation. Another advantage is that these
newer drugs demand considerably less treatment time than older medications. For
instance, Zyprexa takes an average of about 172 days as opposed to the 470 days
taken during lithium therapy. The FDAfs approval of these drugs is expected to
further fuel revenue.
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This Frost & Sullivan research service evaluates the current and future
prospects for atypical medications in the U.S. antipsychotic market in areas
such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, various elderly dementias, psychotic
and treatment-resistant depression, and a series of anxiety disorders. It
analyzes the challenges and driving factors that are likely to assist drug
manufacturers in formulating their future marketing strategies. Additionally, it
provides disease overviews, pipeline product analysis, and market forecasts for
each of these segments.
Fiscal Pressures Exclude Zyprexa from the "Preferred Drug" List
of Several States
Even while newer antipsychotic treatments have provided millions of patients
with a new lease on life, the relatively high costs have curbed their uptake.
Moreover, the extra expenses involved have put many states under pressure to
reconsider paying for these drugs in their federal-state Medicaid programs.
Therefore states such as Kentucky, West Virginia, Florida, Maine, Oregon, and
Texas have taken Zyprexa off their "preferred drug" list.
"Since it accounts for the single largest portion of the overall drug
budget and costs double the price of Risperdal or Seroquel, Zyprexa seems to be
the favorite target of Medicaidfs cost cutting measures," points out the
analyst. To this end, Medicaid directors have initiated a efail firstf
policy, whereby only patients who have failed on less expensive antipsychotics
are allowed a trial of Zyprexa.
Abilifyfs Success Likely to Negatively Impact Zyprexa
The emergence of Abilify in the atypical antipsychotics market is expected to
change market dynamics and further challenge Zyprexafs role as market leader.
Zyprexafs sales figures show that while product sales in 2002 were $350
million more than in 2001, the subsequent year has shown a definite dip. 2003
product sales were only $100 million greater than that of 2002. Abilify, on the
other hand, is expected to reach $1 billion in U.S. sales by the end of 2005.
"Abilifyfs edge over Zyprexa lies in its ability to provide efficient
results without adverse side effects such as weight gain," says the
analyst. This has, in fact, been a major bone of contention with Zyprexafs
competitors that point out that weight problems carry the associated risk of
diabetes. However, in the long term, it is quite likely that end users will be
ready to endure weight gain for a significant improvement in quality of life. | 
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