Medication maintenance of chronic schizophrenic out–patients by a psychiatric clinical pharmacist: 10–year follow–up study

Abstract

A psychiatric clinical pharmacist, acting as a primary clinician under the supervision of the attending psychiatrist, monitored the medication for 14 chronic schizophrenic out–patients over a 10–year period. Successful treatment resulted in a decreased rate of rehospitalization, shorter length of hospital stay, a decrease in total neuroleptic dosage, significantly fewer medication–related side–effects, and improved compliance as compared to the 10–year period prior to entry into the study. Our study suggests that with the expansion of community health services, expanded roles and the use of a clinical pharmacist may contribute significantly to the medication management of chronic schizophrenic out–patients. However, a parallel group study is required to confirm our results.