Therapeutic continuity in the treatment of psychiatric disorders

Concerns are growing about CNS drug prescription because of professional responsibility. This is due to Regulatory Authorities reimbursement policies aimed at promoting generic drugs because of their cost saving potential; this attitude, however, often does not take into account the primary goal of maintaining patient adherence to therapy. This situation is more complex in the psychiatric setting for chronic patients with cognitive or personality disorders. This article provides a review of regulatory, pharmacological and clinical issues (e.g. compliance) involved in the appropriate prescription of brand and generic drugs. It is important that medical prescribers are aware of these issues in order to comply with good clinical practice - given the specific characteristics of psychiatric patients - for a successful antipsychotic therapy in the era of generic drugs.