Posted by zeugma on November 30, 2004, at 16:35:53
In reply to Re: Clozapine, posted by ed_uk on November 30, 2004, at 6:08:32
> Hi,
>
> A message to everyone who does not live in the UK.....
>
> Clozapine is prescribed a lot in the UK for schizophrenia. It can only be dispensed from registered pharmacies. Patients who take it have to use the Clozaril Monitoring Service. Before the prescription is dispensed they have to submit their blood test results. Do they use the same system where you live?
>
> Ed.
>
> Another drug which can only be dispensed from hospital pharmacies in England is isotretinoin (Roaccutane/Accutane). Only dermatologists are allowed to prescribe it.I think the company that markets clozapine (Clozaril- I can't imagine there's a generic, for the same reason that generic MAOI's are not available) is required to inform anyone taking the drug that he or she is going to have to have a LOT of blood work done.The reason it is available at all is because psychiatrists lobbied worldwide to have Clozaril reinstated (it was taken off the market for a while). I know that anyone who takes Cylert (pemoline) is required to sign an agreement that he or she is going to have to have regular liver monitoring done and to affirm that Cylert is being taken as a last resort, and I think Clozaril is dispensed on a similar basis. Since this is a condition for the drug's being available at all, I am sure it is a policy followed everywhere, in both cases.
Accutane is notorious in the States for causing depression, and there are many lawsuits currently involving this drug. I don't know if it's been taken off the market in the States or not.
poster:zeugma
thread:421832
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041128/msgs/422482.html