THE USE OF CLOZAPINE IN PAKISTAN: A STUDY BASED ON CLOZARIL PATIENTS MONITORING SYSTEM (CPMS)

Clozapine is the drug of first choice for Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia (TRS) but it is underutilized and very little information is available about its use in developing countries. We analyzed the medical record of patients who are currently on the data base of Clozapine Monitoring System in Pakistan. Only 1256 patients, almost all concentrated in four major cities were receiving the Clozapine. The mean maintenance dose of Clozapine was 230mg and only a quarter of the psychiatrists working in Pakistan were prescribing Clozpine. The reasons for inadequate use of Clozapine need to be investigated and psychiatric training and perception of the drug needs to be improved in view of the estimated high prevalence of TRS in developing countries.