DYNAMICS OF ANTIPSYCHOTIC PRESCRIPTIONS IN ST.PETERSBURG IN 2006-2011
The analysis of prescriptions of antipsychotics by the St.Petersburg outpatient psychiatric care services during recent six years shows relatively high proportion of traditional medications that cannot be explained only by clinical indications and external factors (price, availability etc.). However, there is an increased rate of prescribed atypical antipsychot-ics, which is associated with their tolerability, better compliance, and also entering a number of atypical antipsychotics into the free medication program. During recent six years, risperidone and olanzapine have been less frequently prescribed in the out-patient care system, while paliperi-done have become a more common prescription medication, probably because it helps to improve significantly schizophrenic patients' social functioning.