Do we need a European consensus on the use of antipsychotic medication?

Recently, much effort has been directed towards reaching a consensus on the use of antipsychotic medication in the United Kingdom (UK) and in France. Anecdotal evidence suggests, however, that any differences that may exist between practitioners in the UK are only minor in comparison to those between practitioners in the various countries in the European Union. A comparison was conducted of the number of prescribed antipsychotic compounds, as well as their way of administration, in two samples of schizophrenic patients in the UK and France. French patients were much more likely to have been prescribed two or more antipsychotic compounds, either alone (relative risk: RR = 26.3; 95% CI: 3.8-190.6), or in combination with a depot preparation (RR = infinity; Fisher's exact test P = 0.04). British patients were more likely to have been prescribed a single depot preparation (RR = 4.7; 95% CI: 2.3-9.9). These disparities are related to contrasting views on the properties and indications of antipsychotics in the two countries. Given these disparities, working towards a European consensus appears essential.