Hundreds of new psych medications in pipeline

There are a record 301 new medicines being developed for mental illnesses, according to a new report released in New Orleans, Louisiana during a briefing that focused on the devastating effects that mental illnesses have on patients, their families, and society.

In Louisiana, rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide have increased since hurricanes Katrina and Rita, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Mental disorders after a natural disaster usually decrease with time, with about 50 percent of post-traumatic mental disorders resolved within a year of the disaster, notes a recent Harvard University study. However, in the case of Hurricane Katrina, the researchers found the contrary: Anxiety or mood disorder has been increasing by 30 percent and more.

"We are releasing this report in Louisiana in view of the upcoming third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the state's continuing need for assistance in treating mental illness," said PhRMA Senior Vice President Ken Johnson. "The medicines being developed treat a range of conditions, from depression to anxiety, and from schizophrenia to dependence on alcohol and drugs. These medicines are either in clinical trials or awaiting review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and they will help patients live longer, happier, and healthier lives. It's important for patients and healthcare providers to know that research into mental illness remains a top priority."

Many of these diseases, such as depression, were once misunderstood causes of shame and fear. Fortunately, today many are highly treatable conditions.

Unfortunately, despite the tremendous progress, mental illness continues to exact a heavy human and economic toll. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the total cost (direct and indirect) of treating mental illnesses in the United States is $205 billion a year.

According to the report new medicines in the research pipeline are: 54 medicines for anxiety disorders; 66 for depression; 26 medicines for addictive disorders, including dependence on alcohol, tobacco or illicit drugs; 89 for dementias and 45 for schizophrenia.

"Patients and healthcare providers need to know that there are many new, potential options out there that could allow them a better quality of life," said Pantoliano. "Instead of suffering in silence and isolating themselves, as I did for many years, I encourage everyone with a mental illness — or who thinks they may have a mental illness — to find out what the options are and seek treatment. People who are suffering need to know that there is hope."

Johnson stressed that while researchers are making exciting progress in the search for new cures and treatments for mental health disorders, these efforts are wasted if the medicines that are developed are not accessible to the patients who need them.

Help is available to patients in need through the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), a program sponsored by America's pharmaceutical research companies. To date, the PPA has helped more than 5 million patients throughout America, including more than 119,000 people in Louisiana. Since its launch in April 2005, the PPA bus tour has visited all 50 states and more than 2,000 cities.

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Pharmaceutical Research Companies Are Developing More Than 300 Medicines to Treat Mental Illnesses. PhRMA 2008;  

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