Contents
1. Medication Update
3. Mental Illness identified as a key killer
4. Improved Health Coverage in US for Mentally
Ill
5. NAMI Response to Improved Health Coverage
6. Mental Health Association of California response
to Health Insurance Improvement
7. "Son of Clozapine" Sought by Researchers
7.1 Gensia has approval on new medication
7.2 New Medications Report
8. New Brisbane Group lobbying for those with mental
illnesses
9. New Assessment System For Inpatients With Mental
Illness
10. Another Company researching Genetics and Schizophrenia
11. New Study shows that Medications keep Mentally
ill out of Jail
Medication UPDATE
J&J has quietly succeeded in making Risperdal, unlike Clozaril, not
just a schizophrenia drug. Doctors write Risperdal prescriptions for schizophrenics
only about 40% of the time, while the rest are for things like behavioral
disorders, mental retardation and dementia, J&J said.
Lilly's Zyprexa, which received an approvable letter from the Food and
Drug Administration early this month, may have several things going for
it. Zyprexa can be given at an effective dose right away, unlike Risperdal.
Motor side effects, which are the worst results of the older drugs, are
minimal with Zyprexa. Risperdal at lower doses has benign motor side effects,
but at higher doses can get worse, researchers say. Zyprexa also has fewer
sexual and hormonal side effects than Risperdal and causes fewer drug
interactions, Lilly said.
Most important, Lilly has an ongoing head-to-head study of Zyprexa vs.
Risperdal, as well as studies against Clozaril. The company will make
data from an interim look at the Lilly vs. J&J study available in
December.
But Zyprexa can cause persistent dry mouth, constipation and initial
drowsiness, researchers say. Sometimes, it lowers blood pressure at the
beginning of its use. Further, drugs that have clean side-effect profiles
in clinical trials rarely are as clean in the real world.
Most psychiatrists said they probably will not switch patients off Risperdal.
Theo Manschreck, senior psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital,
speculated that Zyprexa ''will be an interesting alternative to risperidone.
I suspect it will be at least as commonly tried out.''
Cowen's Scala sees Zyprexa with sales of about $1 billion in 1999 or
2000. Estimates range from about $600 million to $1.2 billion. Some analysts
expect Risperdal to have sales of more than $500 million this year. After
spectacular growth this year, Risperdal is expected to grow on average
in the high single digits each year for the next four years or so.
Mental Illness identified as key
Killer
Despite popular concerns about the threats to public health posed by
communicable diseases, cancer, heart disease, stroke, and mental illness
will emerge as the world's biggest killers by the year 2025, says a major
study of global health trends issued here today.
And most health systems will be unprepared to shoulder the burden, according
to the same report.
As life expectancy rises, especially in developing countries, the incidence
of diseases associated with aging will go up as well, straining the resources
of many developing countries, researchers forecast.
By 2020, non-communicable illnesses will rise to 73 percent of all deaths,
up from 55.8 percent in 1990, according to the findings of the study directed
by the World Health Organization and sponsored by the governments of Australia,
Canada, Britain, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The report, whose other sponsors include U.S. foundations and the World
Bank, says the new trend will be bolstered by two main developments: The
proportion of the population aged 45 and over in 2020 is expected to rise
200 percent higher than that of 1990; and tobacco-related deaths could
triple to 8.4 million a year within 25 years.
Researchers say tobacco-related health problems are growing more rapidly
than the HIV epidemic, and that this problem could cause more deaths than
any other single ailment.
"Non-communicable disease will be the coming epidemic in low-income
and middle-income countries," says Professor Christopher Murray of
the Harvard School of Public Health.
Only in sub-Saharan Africa will infectious diseases kill more than non-communicable
diseases in the next 25 years, he says.
By 2020, heart disease will be the leading culprit in the "total
disease burden" -- calculated as the years subtracted from a healthy
life by disability or premature death.
Depression will be the second largest problem worldwide, but it will be
number one in developing countries. Road accidents will the third largest
cause of lost healthy years. Other causes will include lower respiratory
infections, tuberculosis, war, diarrheal diseases, and AIDS-causing HIV
infections.
The report forecasts that the incidence of infectious diseases will decrease
in developing countries, even though cases of tuberculosis and AIDS will
continue to rise. TB is likely to account for at least 2.3 to 3.3 million
deaths a year by 2020, while AIDS could kill up to 1.7 million people
a year.
Sponsors of the study say the new research is key in that it outlines
the first road map for governments and health care providers on requirements
for medical research and development.
The findings of the study are published in two reports.
The first, "The Global Burden of Disease and Injury Series,"
assesses deaths as well as disability, using the "disability-adjusted
life year" (DALY). The measure combines years of life lost through
premature death with years lived with a disability to assess the loss
of healthy life years.
Psychiatric and neurological illnesses, particularly depression, alcoholic
dependence, manic depression, and schizophrenia, are expected to increase
their share of disease burden around the world to almost 15 percent by
2020 -- up from 10 percent today. Researchers say only about one percent
of all deaths are now caused by these diseases, and consequently, their
importance has been overlooked.
The findings of the new study have been published in a second report,
titled, "Investing In Health Research and Development," which
assesses the current and future health needs of each region. It uncovers
"a severe mismatch" between the huge burden of diseases currently
caused by conditions such as diarrheal disease, tobacco-related disease,
and pneumonia, and the meager resources available for research to develop
tools for their control.
The committee also recommends that governments respond to chronic diseases
and injuries that are unfolding in most developing regions both by improving
basic data on the scale of the problems and by developing locally relevant
and cost-effective solutions to them. Then they must improve health services
by learning from other countries which approaches to health care work
best.
Most health systems are not prepared for the future burdens, researchers
say, noting that access to treatment is minimal and cost prohibitive,
particularly in developing countries.
"Right now, the allocation of funds for (research and development)
is often irrational and based on inadequate information," says Tore
Godal, director of the U.N. Development Program/World Bank/WHO Special
Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases.
"Some of the gravest health problems receive only pitiful resources,
while comparatively small problems receive large shares," says Godal,
one of the study's directors.
Improved Health Coverage in US for Mentally Ill
Congressional leaders and the White House agreed Thursday to improve
health coverage for new mothers and infants, mental health patients and
children with spina bifida born to Vietnam veterans.
Sen. Christopher Bond, chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on
Housing and Veterans' Affairs, said the legislation has the support of
the White House and is expected to pass the House and Senate next week.
The health care provisions were added to an $80 billion funding bill for
housing, veterans' affairs and environmental agencies.
New mothers would be guaranteed at least 48 hours in the hospital after
childbirth, if they chose to use it. Many insurance plans would be required
to cover mental illness with the same level of benefits as provided for
physical ailments. Some 3,000 children with spina bifida born to veterans
exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam would become entitled to disability
benefits and health care.
The reforms will put an end nationwide to so-called "drive-through
deliveries" -- hospitals that force women to leave with their infants
sometimes as soon as 10 hours after a normal delivery.
The three health care changes are to be added to a must-pass spending
bill providing money for federal housing programs, veterans' health care,
environmental protection and space research. The maternity and mental
health rules will take effect Jan. 1, 1998 while the spina bifida provision
will start Oct. 1, 1997.
"This bill will require insurance companies to allow up to 48 hours
when women go to the hospital for a normal birth and 96 hours in the hospital
for women who have a Caesarean section," said Sen. Bill Bradley,
a New Jersey Democrat who sponsored the maternal health insurance reform.
To cut costs in recent years many insurance plans limited coverage to
24 hours or even less for a normal birth and 48 hours for a Caesarean-section.
Women and doctors protested that not all women were ready to be discharged
so quickly.
Bradley credited a unified front of outraged doctors and the public with
forcing Congress to accept the change. The insurance industry was divided
on the issue with major health plans such as Kaiser Permanente supporting
the change. Bradley said he received 84,000 letters on the issue.
The expansion of mental health coverage was expected to benefit 75 million
Americans with group health insurance and those covered by government-funded
Medicaid. While health plans will not be required to cover mental illness,
those that do will no longer be permitted to set lower maximum payment
amounts for mental health treatment.
If the health plan has no lifetime limit on physical care, none will be
permitted on mental health care. The compromise exempts companies with
50 or fewer employees, rather than 25 or fewer employees as sponsors had
wanted. Democratic Sen. Paul Wellstone of Minnesota and Republican Sen.
Pete Domenici of New Mexico fought side-by-side for the mental health
changes.
"Mental illness touches an awful lot of people out there," said
Domenici whose daughter is one of 5 million Americans with severe mental
illness. He fought for the expanded coverage when other senators told
him he could not succeed.
To meet congressional budget rules, the provision was set to expire Sept.
30, 2001.
All three provisions passed the Senate with broad bipartisan support but
had not cleared the House, where Democrats this week forced a non-binding
vote endorsing the Senate plan.
An estimated 3,000 children of Vietnam veterans, many of whom are now
adults, stand to share in about $44 million disability benefits, job training
support and health care provided by Veterans' hospitals. The benefit was
provided after studies showed a link between children born with spina
bifida and exposure to Agent Orange while the father served in Vietnam.
NAMI Response to Improved Health Coverage
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 - NAMI Press Release - Early this morning a House-Senate
conference committee approved the outlines of a spending bill that includes
a landmark provision that requires insurance plans providing mental health
benefits to set the same level of yearly and lifetime coverage for these
benefits as for other medical services.
"This legislation is vital to stopping rampant discrimination against
people with severe mental illness," said Laurie Flynn, executive
director of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). "This
decision by the conferees is just the beginning of ending insurance discrimination.
Congress has sent a strong message to employers and insurance companies
that the days of second-class treatment of people with brain disorders
are numbered."
Senators Domenici (R-NM) and Wellstone (D-MN) introduced their mental
health amendment originally on April 18th to the Kassebaum-Kennedy Health
Reform Bill. Although it was knocked out before the President signed the
bill into law, support for the end of insurance discrimination against
brain disorders propelled the amendment into this spending legislation,
"This has been a very long and difficult effort but I'm pleased that
we have finally succeeded," Senator Domenici (R-NM) said. "I
am proud of the fact that my mental health parity amendment was accepted.
This represents a first step by the Congress to bring the nation to terms
with caring for the millions of Americans who suffer from these diseases
of the brain." Continued Domenici, "With this we begin remedying
one of the most glaring and discriminatory discrepancies prevalent in
America today."
"This is a huge victory. It is a crucial and affordable step toward
ending the stigma and the most egregious form of discrimination against
Americans suffering from mental illness," said Senator Paul Wellstone
(D-MN). "Millions of American families will benefit from this very
significant move toward parity treatment for people with mental illnesses."
NAMI families across the country worked hard to inform their senators
and representatives that severe mental illnesses are biologically based
brain disorders that must be covered equally to other medical disorders.
Mental illnesses are more common than cancer, diabetes or heart disease.
The treatment success rate for schizophrenia is 60%, 65% for major depression
and 80% for bipolar disorder. Comparatively, the success rate for treatments
of heart disease ranges from 41-52%. Currently, many insurance policies
cut off treatment for illnesses like schizophrenia or manic depression
after a few thousand dollars, but allow much higher payments for treating
other illnesses like heart disease. Considering that in any given year,
more than five million Americans suffer from an acute episode of mental
illness the blatant insurance discrimination against brain disorders had
to end.
The need for the amendment originated in the grassroots, and the people's
voice fueled the provision's momentum: 79% of Americans supported an end
to insurance discrimination, according to a 1996 Beldon & Rossonello
study. On September 5, the Senate voted overwhelmingly 82 to l5 for the
Domenici- Wellstone amendment. President Clinton expresses strong support
for the amendment to House Speaker Newt Gingrich in a letter delivered
the morning of September 11th. President Clinton wrote: "People with
mental illness have faced discrimination in health insurance coverage
for too long." The President continued, "It is time that we
take steps to end this inequity." The House voted that same day 392
to 17 to instruct VA/HUD appropriations conferees to include the Domenici-Wellstone
amendment as part of the proposed bill.
"An important first step has been achieved toward ending discrimination
against people with brain disorders called mental illnesses," commented
NAMI President Annie Saylor. "We must not give up until ALL such
discrimination has ended."
NAMI, the nonprofit organization representing 140,000 people with serious
brain disorders and their families, has been leading a grassroots campaign
to end discrimination against severe mental illnesses. NAMI chapters are
active at the state and local level in all 50 states.
SOURCE National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
-0- 09/19/96
/CONTACT: Melissa Wajnert of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill,
703-524-7600/
Mental Health Association response to Health Insurance
Improvement
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (Sept. 20) BUSINESS WIRE -Sept. 20, 1996--Major newspapers
today are carrying front-page stories on a historic Congressional agreement
to expand federal rules for private health insurance benefits, including
a major financial expansion of mental health coverage.
President Clinton has stated his strong support for the proposed mental
health parity legislation.
This is a major step for the Mental Health Assoc. in California (MHAC)
and other mental health organizations who have been actively involved
in advocacy for legislation that would provide parity healthcare coverage
for those with mental illness.
"If approved by the full membership of Congress, this will be the
most significant action in our nation's history to end the discrimination
of people with mental illness and provide them with the opportunity to
receive the quality healthcare coverage that everyone deserves,"
said Rusty Selix, executive director of the MHAC.
If you are looking to localize this national story, the MHAC can provide
you with the names and phone numbers of mental health consumers, family
members, government officials, and providers of mental healthcare who
have been affected by the lack of quality health care coverage for treating
mental illness. Many are articulate advocates with compelling personal
stories.
For more information, please contact Rusty Selix at 916/557-1167 or Kassy
Perry of The Perry Group at 916/658-0144.
--30--ksh/sf
CONTACT: Mental Health Assoc. in California
Rusty Selix, 916/557-1167
or
The Perry Group
Kassy Perry, 916/658-0144
"Son of Clozapine" Sought by Researchers
The antipsychotic revolution started in the late 1980s, when clozapine,
branded Clozaril by Sandoz Ltd., was brought back from the dead. Clozaril
had been approved in the U.S. in 1972, but was pulled because of serious
safety issues.
Today, Clozaril, reapproved in 1990 after a series of studies in patients
who failed other treatments, offers the gold standard of efficacy. In
tests, Clozaril has shown to be clearly superior to the previous gold
standard, Haldol.
Clozaril works well against both the positive and negative symptoms of
schizophrenia. Hallucinations, delusions and impaired cognition fall under
the positive rubric because they stem from an excess of stimuli. Symptoms
that come about from deficit states, such as social withdrawal, a sense
of isolation and lack of affect and motivation are termed negative. Many
schizophrenics suffer from depression, which some experts categorize as
a third type of symptom.
''Clozapine was an enormous breakthrough, just enormous,'' said Dr. Donald
Goff, director of psychiatric disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital.
''The quest has been for the son of clozapine.''
So far, despite the promise of the new compounds, it seems none has been
born.
Though it is chemically more similar to Clozaril than any of the other
new drugs, Zyprexa is ''not dramatically different (from Risperdal) and
not like clozapine vs. Haldol,'' said the University of Maryland's Conley.
Instead, the new drugs, led by Risperdal, which was approved in 1992,
seem to be a breakthrough similar to the one that the antidepressant Prozac
and its ilk offer: similar efficacy to older drugs, with sharply curtailed
side effects. Experts caution that none of these drugs is a cure and that
more research into the causes of the disease is necessary.
With more research, it may turn out that schizophrenia is actually many
different syndromes, all with different treatment regimens, experts predict.
Because the new drugs have several different mechanisms of actions, that
may mean doctors develop niches for each drug, depending on which syndrome
a patient has, rather than treat all patients with their drug of choice.
Perhaps 2.5% to 3% of the population has some form of psychosis, with
about 1% of those suffering from traditional schizophrenia. Only about
half of all schizophrenics receive treatment, experts estimate, mainly
because of side effects, including tremors and muscular rigidity, restlessness,
dry mouth, blurred vision, drowsiness, and elevation of sex hormones.
In rare cases, the motor side effects can be irreversible.
Additionally, some schizophrenics don't regard themselves as sick or drop
out of society, and so they don't seek treatment. Some psychiatrists wonder
if these patients will comply even with the newer, more benign medications.
GENSIA LABORATORIES RECEIVES ANDA APPROVAL FOR
FLUPHENAZINE INJECTION
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Gensia, Inc. (Nasdaq: GNSA) today
announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Gensia Laboratories, Ltd.,
has received approval of an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) from
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for fluphenazine decanoate injection
USP. Fluphenazine is an injectable drug used in the management of schizophrenia.
According to Patrick D. Walsh, President and Chief Operating Officer of
Gensia Laboratories, "We received regulatory approval for fluphenazine
in approximately nine months. Gensia Laboratories continues to establish
a solid record of achievement in multisource injectable drug development."
With this ANDA approval, Gensia Laboratories has 24 multisource injectable
drugs in its product line and has several additional ANDAs filed with
the FDA. Gensia Laboratories also has over 40 additional products in development,
as well as a growing contract manufacturing business.
Gensia Laboratories, Ltd. is a specialty pharmaceutical company located
in Irvine, California with product emphasis in oncology, anesthesiology
and key specialty pharmaceuticals. Gensia Laboratories seeks to bring
innovation to its multisource products and focuses on products which are
difficult to produce. The company also provides contract manufacturing
support and services to other pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
Gensia, Inc. is a research-based company focused on the discovery, development
and commercialization of health care products for the acute care market.
For more information, visit Gensia's web site on the Internet at http://www.gensia.com.
This press release contains forward looking statements that are subject
to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those set forth in the forward looking statements, including whether
the products in development at Gensia Laboratories will be successfully
developed or commercialized, and the risk factors set forth in Gensia's
filing on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These
forward looking statements represent the Company's judgment as of the
date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation
to update these forward looking statements.
SOURCE Gensia, Inc.
-0- 09/12/96
/CONTACT: Martha L. Hough or Claudia B. Silvas, both of Gensia, 619-546-8300/
(GNSA)
New Medications Report
For decades, schizophrenics were stuck with drugs that could be worse
than the disease.
Drugs like Haldol and Thorazine, introduced during Eisenhower's presidency,
left many schizophrenics in a slightly surreal state. But they were effective
enough that despite severe and unpleasant side effects, researchers didn't
seek alternatives. ''Scientifically, we really had 30 to 40 years of a
dead zone,'' said Bruce Given, a vice president at Johnson & Johnson's
(JNJ) Janssen Pharmaceutica.
In the last handful of years, however, knowledge of the brain exploded
and the limitations of the older drugs became clear. As a result, researchers
all over the world have been able to develop a raft of new antipsychotic
drugs.
The new drugs don't cure schizophrenia, a psychosis characterized by delusions,
hallucinations and a sense of isolation. But they seem to work as well
as the older drugs, except with fewer side effects.
As several of these edge closer to approval, sufferers of schizophrenia,
manic-depression, psychotic depression and dementia are poised to have
more new treatment choices than most have had in their lifetimes.
''This is really a terrifically exciting time,'' said Carol Tamminga,
a professor of psychiatry at the University of Maryland. ''Researchers
are waking up to the illness.''
It's not only researchers, psychiatrists and patients voicing enthusiasm.
Investors also seek to share in the rewards of the drugs. The antipsychotic
market is about to balloon, financial analysts predicted. Steve Scala,
of Cowen & Co., expects the $1 billion market today to more than double
to about $2.3 billion in three to four years, and some analysts put the
number much higher.
The most widely anticipated new antipsychotic, especially on Wall Street,
is Eli Lilly & Co.'s (LLY) olanzapine, branded Zyprexa. Investors
expect it to rapidly become the drug of choice when it wins approval,
reducing Lilly's dependence on Prozac sales and spurring its earnings
growth to among the best in the industry. Abbott Laboratories' (ABT) sertindole,
or Serlect, was recommended for approval by a Food and Drug Administration
panel in July. Zeneca Group PLC (ZEN) and Pfizer Inc. (PFE) also have
upcoming drugs.
Standing in the way of Zyprexa's becoming the drug of choice is Johnson
& Johnson's already-approved drug risperidone, or Risperdal. Some
clinical psychiatrists believe that Zyprexa - though good - isn't that
significant of an advance over J&J's drug. A less-than-spectacular
rollout could harm Lilly's shares.
''It doesn't seem to me that you see a big difference in overall efficacy''
between Risperdal and Zyprexa, said Dr. Robert Conley, director of treatment
research at the University of Maryland and a colleague of Tamminga's,
who has research experience with the newer agents.
Lilly will tout Zyprexa's clean safety profile. But Conley said the apparently
benign side-effect profiles of the two are simply ''different, not better''
for either drug.
(MORE) DOW JONES NEWS 09-13-96
12:06 PM
New Brisbane Group lobbying for those with mental
illnesses
People diagnosed as mentally ill have formed Australia's first nationwide
network to lobby for their rights as consumers of health services.
"Politicians should know there's votes in mental health," the
National Consumer Network's first chairman, Simon Champ, said today.
Mr Champ, diagnosed as schizophrenic 20 years ago, is a member of the
federal government's community advisory group on mental health and hails
the new network as a major step forward for human rights.
"Traditionally most mental health groups have been run by health
professionals and carers," he said.
"Although in most cases they are working for the same goals as we
are, it is a very empowering thing for consumers to unify in this way
in our own lobby group."
The network today signed up its first 200 members at the 6th Annual Mental
Health Services Conference of Australia and New Zealand in Brisbane, attended
by more than 1,000 delegates from around the world.
Mr Champ said people with mental illnesses ranged across the boundaries
of age, sex, race and religion and the network would reflect this diversity.
It was estimated in the watershed Burdekin report of 1994 that one in
five Australians would develop a mental disorder at some time in their
lives, he said.
"The trouble is that we are still oppressed by the stigma of carrying
these labels."
Mr Champ said the network offered a logistical challenge in linking "some
of the poorest people in Australia".
Co-convenor of the conference, Melanie Scott, said the network would tackle
issues such as federal budget cuts affecting services, but also aimed
to educate the public about the nature of mental illness.
"There's still a lot of ignorance," she said. "If people
hear the word 'psychotic' they immediately think of a pantyhose murderer.
"In schools, children get taught about sex, about drugs and other
health issues, but mental illness is never mentioned."
People diagnosed as mentally ill had been marginalised by society despite
the advances in psychotropic medication which allowed many to work and
live outside institutions, she said.
"It's time we stood up and took some pride in who we are - this network
will enable many people to realise the power and potential they have,
and to use their skills."
Consumers of mental health services were speaking out around the world
in a social movement similar to the gay rights and feminist movements.
"I compare it to the women's movement and I'd say we are now at about
the same stage as the suffragettes at the beginning of the century in
terms of realising our rights," Ms Scott said.
Assessment System For Inpatients With Mental Illness
Latest Development In Managed Care
MONTCLAIR, N.J., Sept. 17 - Company Press Release - Announcing another
managed care breakthrough, the latest edition of the Genesis Report(R)/MCx
- Managed Care Strategic Briefing, one of America's leading publications
on managed care and its impact on the American economy, says the development
of COMPASS INT, a progressive assessment system for inpatients with mental
illness, is the next step revolutionizing managed care cost control.
Mr. Dick Zeich, Editor, says COMPASS, developed by Compass Information
Systems, Inc. (CIS) King of Prussia, Penn., evaluates and monitors the
effectiveness of inpatient and outpatient mental health care. COMPASS
is based on dose therapy, the patient's response is related to the number
of therapy sessions, and phase therapy, with patients passing through
three stages during successful therapy: remoralization, remediation, and
rehabilitation.
COMPASS plans to develop a measure for adolescent mental health outcomes,
and CIS will also develop a version of COMPASS for use primarily in evaluating
state Medicaid programs.
Mr. Grant Grissom, Ph.D., Vice President of Research and Development at
CIS, said companies who use COMPASS are looking for more than saving money.
"The Mercks and corporations with similar philosophies want evidence
that their money is being spent to provide effective treatment,"
Mr. Grissom stated.
Mr. Zeich says with the introduction of COMPASS, mental health facilities
can document the quality of care delivered in their inpatient, partial
hospitalization, and outpatient settings. "These facilities frequently
have excess capacity and decreased revenue attributable to shorter lengths
of stay. Facilities which demonstrate they provide shorter lengths of
therapy across the continuum of care to reduce costs will have a competitive
advantage," Mr. Zeich said.
The Genesis Report(R)/MCx - Managed Care Strategic Briefing is published
by The Genesis Group Associates, Inc., 29 Park Street, Montclair, N.J.,
a think-tank for the health care industry that has been providing strategic
consulting and publishing services since 1981.
Prepared by Mervis & Company for The Genesis Report(R)/MCx - Managed
Care Strategic Briefing.
SOURCE The Genesis Group Associates, Inc.
Another Company researching Genetics and Schizophrenia
From Company Press Release: -Sept. 17, 1996--Digital Gene Technologies
Inc. (DGT), a recently established total gene expression and comparison
company based in La Jolla, Tuesday announced that it has appointed Donald
Seto, Ph.D. as associate director, automation technology, according to
Robert J. Sutcliffe, president and CEO.
DGT was established to apply technology based on research conducted in
the laboratory of Dr. J. Gregor Sutcliffe, a company founder, and chairman
of the DGT scientific advisory board, at The Scripps Research Institute,
La Jolla. In March of this year, the company announced it had received
$8 million in financing from a group of private investors organized by
the company. "Don Seto represents the ideal combination of highest
caliber academic qualification and first-quality commercial laboratory
experience," said Sutcliffe. "Dr. Seto's expertise has been
instrumental in completing automation of the DGT technology and in successfully
achieving high-throughput robotic processing of tissue samples for DGT's
initial osteosarcoma and schizophrenia demonstration projects."
As associate director, automation technology, Seto will be responsible
for continuing optimization of the automated operations of the DGT technology
and will play a major role in anticipating and developing additional automated
steps for the high-throughput, robot-aided gene expression profiling.
Seto was most recently a senior research scientist/principal investigator
in the applied biotechnology/molecular biology division of DuPont Merck
Pharmaceutical Co., where he set up an automated DNA sequencing core facility
which resulted in a quadrupling of sample throughput.
While at DuPont Merck, he also continued his research into novel methods
and tools development for optimized large-scale DNA sequencing strategies
and was involved in developing and evaluating robotics and novel protocols
for rapid screens and assays for potential drug targets. Earlier in his
career, Seto was a senior staff fellow, NIDDK, national Institutes of
Health; a senior research fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Leroy Hood at
the California Institute of Technology, working on automated DNA sequencing
and large-scale genomic sequencing; and, a predoctoral fellow in the laboratory
of Dr. Maurice Bessman at The John Hopkins University. Seto received his
Ph.D. in biology from
The John Hopkins University and was one of the first NIH Lawton Chiles
biotechnology research fellows while at the California Institute of Technology.
Digital Gene Technologies is a total gene expression and comparison company
focusing on the exploitation of genomic bioinformatics through the application
of proprietary technology that identifies and determines anatomical distribution
and expression patterns of the genes contained in any cell or tissue sample.
The company provides customers with a variety of services, including automated
tissue assays, access to proprietary databases, and new gene discovery.
--30--jw/la at/la CONTACT: Digital Gene Technologies Inc.
New Study shows that Medications keep Mentally
ill out of Jail
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (Sept. 11) Sept. 11, 1996--The Mental Health Association
in California (MHAC) today hailed the release of a new report as evidence
that appropriate mental health medications and treatments keep individuals
with mental illness out of jail and reduce costs to the state's corrections
and criminal justice systems.
The study, released today by the Pacific Research Institute for Public
Policy (PRI), illustrates the fiscal impact -- $1.2 billion to $1.8 billion
annually -- mental illness has upon the corrections, law enforcement and
court systems in California.
"For the first time, all aspects of correctional and criminal justice
spending on persons with severe mental illness have been examined,"
said Rusty Selix, executive director of the Mental Health Association
in California. "We now have documented proof that many of those who
do not receive appropriate mental health treatment wind up in the criminal
justice system. Up until now, there has been no documentation of societal
costs associated with criminalizing the mentally ill."
According to the study, more state, county and city government funds are
spent providing mental healthcare to those in the criminal justice system
than to those who do not come in contact with the law.
The PRI study also indicates the 95 percent of arrestees suffering from
a severe mental illness were not receiving any mental health treatment
at the time of their arrest. "This suggests that many crimes might
not be committed if effective mental health treatment were made available
to those who need it, " said Selix.
According to Selix, California has one of the most under-funded public
health systems in the nation including a restrictive Medi-Cal formula
that puts initial cost before medical effectiveness (i.e. older less-effective
medications versus new breakthrough medications that have fewer side effects).
"This study should serve as the stepping stone for further debate
regarding the benefit of proper medical treatment and services for those
who have a serious mental illness," said Selix.
The PRI study was coauthored by Lance Izumi, Senior Fellow in California
Studies at PRI, Mark Schiller, M.D, PRI Senior Fellow in Health Care Studies
and assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at UC San Francisco, and
Steven Hayward, Ph.D., PRJ Vice President of Research.
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