New Schizophrenia Drug Cobenfy Priced Out of Reach for Most Israelis
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
A new schizophrenia drug, Cobenfy, approved by the FDA, offers a novel treatment with potentially fewer side effects but costs 8,000 shekels per package in Israel. The Israeli Association of Psychiatrists recommends it for the national health basket, but its high price makes it inaccessible for most patients, many of whom rely on disability benefits. Traditional treatments often cause severe side effects, impacting patients' quality of life and social integration. Mental health services in Israel are underfunded, exacerbating the access issue for advanced medications.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- New schizophrenia drug Cobenfy costs 8,000 shekels per package in Israel, limiting access.
- Cobenfy, approved by the FDA, uses a novel mechanism to treat schizophrenia with potentially fewer side effects.
- The Israeli Association of Psychiatrists recommends Cobenfy for inclusion in the national health basket.
- Many patients with schizophrenia rely on disability benefits, making the new drug unaffordable.
- Traditional schizophrenia medications often cause severe side effects impacting patients' quality of life.
- Mental health services in Israel receive significantly less funding than in other developed countries.
A groundbreaking new schizophrenia medication, Cobenfy, approved by the U.S. FDA in September 2024, offers a novel mechanism of action after decades without significant advancements in treatment. Developed by Bristol Myers Squibb, it targets muscarinic receptors to regulate dopamine, potentially reducing psychotic symptoms with fewer severe side effects than traditional drugs. Clinical trials involving 690 patients in the U.S. and Ukraine showed significant improvements in hallucinations, delusions, and apathy within five weeks, with some indication of cognitive function enhancement. However, the drug's prohibitive cost of 8,000 shekels per package presents a major barrier to access in Israel.
Yoki, a mother whose son has lived with schizophrenia for nearly 30 years, highlights the financial strain on patients and their families. Many individuals with mental illness rely on disability benefits, making the high cost of Cobenfy unaffordable. While some may access it through supplementary insurance or specific hospital programs, widespread availability is unlikely. The Israeli Association of Psychiatrists has prioritized Cobenfy for inclusion in the national health basket, but its high price remains a significant obstacle.
Traditional schizophrenia medications, often acting on the dopamine system, can cause severe side effects like excessive salivation, tremors, weight gain, and even epilepsy, as experienced by Yoki's son. These side effects not only pose medical challenges but also lead to social isolation and difficulties in maintaining employment and relationships. The new drug, combining xanomeline and trospium, aims to mitigate these issues, though it may still cause nausea and constipation, and its long-term effects are still being studied.
Psychiatry in Israel faces underfunding, receiving only 6% of the national healthcare budget compared to 10-16% in other developed nations. Experts warn that if innovative treatments like Cobenfy are not covered by the national health basket, the financial burden will fall on patients' families and healthcare institutions, leading to increased costs associated with managing disease exacerbations and hospitalizations. Organizations supporting mental health patients are advocating for better funding and accessibility to new treatments.
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