Ontario study demonstrates more than $17,300 annual healthcare savings per patient through use of a long-acting injectable treatment
Brampton, ON (February 15, 2011) – A new study published in Healthcare Quarterly found that patients switched from oral medication to a long-acting injectable treatment had significantly fewer hospitalizations and visits to emergency departments, saving the healthcare system more than $17,300 annually per patient.[1]
A chart review of patients at the William Osler Health System in Ontario showed that for the 25 patients in the study, treatment with a long-acting injectable was associated with a total savings of $433,875 for the healthcare system.1 The majority of cost savings were due to fewer days spent in hospital by patients (an average of 32 fewer days), and a six-fold reduction in emergency department visits.1 Schizophrenia costs the Canadian healthcare system approximately $2 billion annually.[2]
“Schizophrenia is a highly treatable illness, but non-adherence to medication remains a significant issue for patients. This often leads to relapse, which can mean more visits to the emergency room, re-hospitalizations and increased need for clinician intervention – all of which are extremely costly,” said Dr. David Koczerginski, Corporate Chief of Psychiatry and Medical Director, Mental Health and Addictions, William Osler Health System and lead study investigator. “Our data clearly showed that the use of a long-acting injectable treatment, given by a healthcare professional every two weeks, can lead to significant clinical benefit for the patient and financial benefit for the healthcare system.”
Oral medication, the current first-line treatment for patients with schizophrenia, must be taken daily. As many as 60 per cent of patients with schizophrenia do not take their medication as prescribed[3] – a major challenge of current schizophrenia treatment, as medication non-adherence is associated with increased relapse.1
Relapses in schizophrenia can cause significant personal distress and interfere with rehabilitation efforts.[4] Furthermore, relapses often involve significant use of clinical and hospital resources, such as emergency department attention, prolonged hospitalization and residential care.1
“The cost savings and improved clinical outcomes seen in our study for people treated with a long-acting injectable suggest that hospitals should consider expanding long-acting injectable clinics as a means to save resources and reduce costs, and keep patients well,” said Dr. Koczerginski.
About the study
This study was conducted at the Brampton Civic Hospital in Brampton, Ontario, a part of the William Osler Health System. Methodology consisted of a chart review of 25 patients comparing the number of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations for acute psychosis and the length of stay in the ED and the mental health unit for patients with schizophrenia over two time periods: a minimum of one year on oral therapy and a similar duration after conversion to risperidone long-acting injection therapy. Data was collected between 2008 and 2010. This study was supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Janssen Inc.
About Janssen Inc.
As a member of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, Janssen Inc. is dedicated to addressing and solving the most important unmet medical needs in pain management, psychiatry, oncology, psoriasis, virology, anemia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dementia, gastroenterology and women’s health. Driven by our commitment to the passionate pursuit of science for the benefit of patients, we work together to bring innovative ideas, products and services to patients around the world.
For more information please contact:
Sarah Bannoff
Edelman
sarah.bannoff@edelman.com
(416) 849-8925
Suzanne Frost
Janssen Inc.
sfrost@its.jnj.com
(416) 449-9444
References:
[1] David Koczerginski and Larry Arshoff. Hospital Resource Use by Patients with Schizophrenia: Reduction after Conversion from Oral Treatment to Risperidone Long-Acting Injection. (manuscript under review)
[2] Goeree, R., F. Farahati, N. Burke, G. Blackhouse, D. O’Reilly, J. Pyne et al. 2005. “The Economic Burden of Schizophrenia in Canada in 2004.” Current Medical Research and Opinion 21: 2017–28.
[3]Velligan et al. Relationships among subjective and objective measures of adherence to oral antipsychotic medications. Psychiatric Services [1075-2730] Velligan 2007 vol.58 iss.9 pg.1187 -1192.
[4] Lamberti. Seven keys to relapse prevention in schizophrenia. Journal of psychiatric practice. 2001 vol.7 iss.4 pg.253 -259
Ontario study demonstrates more than $17,300 annual healthcare savings per patient through use of a long-acting injectable treatment
Brampton, ON (February 15, 2011) – A new study published in Healthcare Quarterly found that patients switched from oral medication to a long-acting injectable treatment had significantly fewer hospitalizations and visits to emergency departments, saving the healthcare system more than $17,300 annually per patient.[1]
A chart review of patients at the William Osler Health System in Ontario showed that for the 25 patients in the study, treatment with a long-acting injectable was associated with a total savings of $433,875 for the healthcare system.1 The majority of cost savings were due to fewer days spent in hospital by patients (an average of 32 fewer days), and a six-fold reduction in emergency department visits.1 Schizophrenia costs the Canadian healthcare system approximately $2 billion annually.[2]
“Schizophrenia is a highly treatable illness, but non-adherence to medication remains a significant issue for patients. This often leads to relapse, which can mean more visits to the emergency room, re-hospitalizations and increased need for clinician intervention – all of which are extremely costly,” said Dr. David Koczerginski, Corporate Chief of Psychiatry and Medical Director, Mental Health and Addictions, William Osler Health System and lead study investigator. “Our data clearly showed that the use of a long-acting injectable treatment, given by a healthcare professional every two weeks, can lead to significant clinical benefit for the patient and financial benefit for the healthcare system.”
Oral medication, the current first-line treatment for patients with schizophrenia, must be taken daily. As many as 60 per cent of patients with schizophrenia do not take their medication as prescribed[3] – a major challenge of current schizophrenia treatment, as medication non-adherence is associated with increased relapse.1
Relapses in schizophrenia can cause significant personal distress and interfere with rehabilitation efforts.[4] Furthermore, relapses often involve significant use of clinical and hospital resources, such as emergency department attention, prolonged hospitalization and residential care.1
“The cost savings and improved clinical outcomes seen in our study for people treated with a long-acting injectable suggest that hospitals should consider expanding long-acting injectable clinics as a means to save resources and reduce costs, and keep patients well,” said Dr. Koczerginski.
About the study
This study was conducted at the Brampton Civic Hospital in Brampton, Ontario, a part of the William Osler Health System. Methodology consisted of a chart review of 25 patients comparing the number of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations for acute psychosis and the length of stay in the ED and the mental health unit for patients with schizophrenia over two time periods: a minimum of one year on oral therapy and a similar duration after conversion to risperidone long-acting injection therapy. Data was collected between 2008 and 2010. This study was supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Janssen Inc.
About Janssen Inc.
As a member of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, Janssen Inc. is dedicated to addressing and solving the most important unmet medical needs in pain management, psychiatry, oncology, psoriasis, virology, anemia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dementia, gastroenterology and women’s health. Driven by our commitment to the passionate pursuit of science for the benefit of patients, we work together to bring innovative ideas, products and services to patients around the world.
For more information please contact:
Sarah Bannoff
Edelman
sarah.bannoff@edelman.com
(416) 849-8925
Suzanne Frost
Janssen Inc.
sfrost@its.jnj.com
(416) 449-9444
References:
[1] David Koczerginski and Larry Arshoff. Hospital Resource Use by Patients with Schizophrenia: Reduction after Conversion from Oral Treatment to Risperidone Long-Acting Injection. (manuscript under review)
[2] Goeree, R., F. Farahati, N. Burke, G. Blackhouse, D. O’Reilly, J. Pyne et al. 2005. “The Economic Burden of Schizophrenia in Canada in 2004.” Current Medical Research and Opinion 21: 2017–28.
[3]Velligan et al. Relationships among subjective and objective measures of adherence to oral antipsychotic medications. Psychiatric Services [1075-2730] Velligan 2007 vol.58 iss.9 pg.1187 -1192.
[4] Lamberti. Seven keys to relapse prevention in schizophrenia. Journal of psychiatric practice. 2001 vol.7 iss.4 pg.253 -259