So we know current typical and atypical antipsychotics do little to nothing in terms of treating psychosis in dementia patients. Their risks greatly outweigh their benefits. There is no use for these outdated and ineffective treatments in normal clinical settings. Even in patients with schizophrenia (the approved use) who are otherwise healthy, their effectiveness is questionable. There are now more effective and safer alternatives for schizophrenia treatment. So what are these pharma companies left with? Outdated and ineffective drugs that are past their patent life, yet they still provide a substantial revenue stream at a low cost for these companies. They won't let the pipeline dry up.......
Pimavanserin and similar drugs are a game-changer. They only target specific receptor activity while avoiding receptors that can worsen motor symptoms. Would the FDA approval not open the flood gates? That's the claim the FDA is making in terms of Biogen's Aducanumab. Except that, unlike Pimavanerin it's based on an unproven theory. The theory is that beta-amyloid reduction leads to cognitive improvement. Since the FDA's approval, just look at the number of companies now reaching out to the FDA in an attempt to get accelerated approval on their Alzheimer's treatment based on the same beta-amyloid reduction theory.
So my question to everyone here is, Do you think the makers of these current antipsychotics are just going to throw in their cards? Of course not! They are going to flex their muscle by lobbying the FDA, using the media, and placing calls to the research centers, labs, universities, etc. that they fund.
Again, the current lineup of drugs do little to nothing in terms of treating psychosis in dementia patients. It sedates patients and makes it easier on the caregivers. It is the perfect setup for the makers of these drugs. Understaffed and underfunded nursing homes desperate to provide relief for their staff and patients while trying to make a profit turn to what we all know has been the unethical standard of care. Meanwhile, patients have no say because unfortunately they are too far gone cognitively due to their illness and the underlying effects of their medications.
It's not only sad, it is disgustingly unethical. I'm still waiting for that one politician or advocacy group to step up and ask, "What on earth are we doing to these vulnerable people and how do we fix this?"