To evaluate trends in the use of antipsychotic drugs in Lithuania between 2003 and 2005 years.

The data on total sales of antipsychotic drugs in Lithuania over three years (2003-2005) were obtained from IMS Health Inc. Drugs were classified according to the Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical system, use was quantified in terms of defined daily doses. Data were calculated by DDD methodology, expressed in DDDs per 1.000 inhabitants/day. The pharmacoeconomic analysis was performed by cost minimization and reference price methodology.

The total antipsychotics consumption increased by 16% over three years period reaching the value of 5,5 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day. Use of conventional antipsychotics has increased by 3%, atypical antipsychotics by 34%. The expenditures of antipsychotics has reached 39 mln Litas (in 2005), of which 48% was costs for atypical antipsychotic agents. Setting the reference price of risperidone (according to the meta-analysis results of effectiveness) for atypical antipsychotics it would be possible to rationalize schizophrenia treatment using 10,68 mln Litas extra money (1€ = 3,4528 Lt).

The use of total antipsychotic drugs continues to increase because of the increased use of atypical antipsychotics and some conventional antipsychotics. According to the meta-analysis results risperidone is the most effective drug for schizophrenia treatment. Considering the similar efficacy of other atypical antipsychotics and the increased high expenditures of atypical antipsychotics it is extremely important to consider the cost-effectiveness of antipsychotics. Performed cost-minimization analysis using the reference-based pricing estimated the possible reduction of total antipsychotics expenditures by 28%, the possible schizophrenia treatment rationalization.