Public Annoucement on Clozapine

Ottawa - 6 November 1991

Clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic drug, was approved for use in Canada by the Canadian Health Protection Branch in April 1991 for the treatment of schizophrenia. Despite this, Clozapine is not yet available to all Canadians who may benefit from it. This lack of access is due to the unwillingness of provincial governments or hospital boards to pay for this treatment.

The Canadian Psychiatric Association states that:

(1) There is extensive scientific literature to show that Clozapine is a significant advance on existing standard drugs for two groups of patients with schizophrenia: those who have not responded to standard drugs or those who are unable to tolerate standard drugs due to severe motor side effects;

(2) Schizophrenia is a serious disabling illness usually striking young people. It carries enormous emotional and financial costs to the people affected, to their families and to society.

The Canadian Psychiatric Association recommends that:

(1) All Canadians should have equal access to advances in health care. This includes those affected by schizophrenia;

(2) All provincial governments should approve the funding of Clozapine prescriptions;

(3) The boards of hospitals where people with schizophrenia are treated should approve the use of Clozapine for those patients for whom it is medically indicated.