Modeling the Choice Between Risperidone Long-Acting Injectable and Generic Risperidone from the Perspective of a Japanese Hospital

INTRODUCTION: The Japanese government’s current policy is to encourage hospitals to discharge hospital patients with schizophrenia earlier and provide them with community care. This study aims to analyze clinical and economic outcomes of different discharge strategies in psychiatric hospitals in Japan. METHODS: A simulation was conducted to compare patient relapse and hospital revenues for different discharge plans. We constructed a decision tree where each tree consists of a different Markov chain that models hospital revenue for four different discharge plans: discharge of the patient after 1, 2, or 3 months, or 4 months or more. The simulation also included variations in the medical treatment regimen in an outpatient setting as part of the discharge strategy. In particular, we looked at the choice between risperidone long-acting injectable (RLAI) and generic risperidone (RIS GE). RESULTS: The use of RLAI in an outpatient setting reduced the number of rehospitalizations compared to generic risperidone use under all discharge plans. Different discharge plans were associated with differences in economic outcomes as well. One of the key revenue drivers for the hospital was the continuation of treatment in the outpatient setting after discharge. CONCLUSION: The use of RLAI in an outpatient setting could help to prevent rehospitalization, thereby contributing to better community care. FUNDING: The Rapid Service Fee was funded by Janssen KK.