[Pharmacotherapeutical possibilities in mental disorders: current status in Serbia]

The new therapeutical approaches have direct implications on living in order to accomplish remission, stop further progression of illnesses or improve the quality of life. The life expectancy has been increased up to 10 years in the last 55 years, probably owing to the innovative drugs. The innovative drugs application in our everyday clinical practice should be analyzed, related to economical aspects and to the transitional status of a country, but also in the context of fears and misconceptions of therapists. The cost of therapy is not equal to the cost of prescribed drugs, however it also includes direct and indirect costs and medical and nonmedical burden. Countries in our region spend 4-7.3% of the total budget for antipsychotic drugs, while the costs in Serbia are about 1.5%. The new antipsychotics and the new formulations of the available antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia are pharmacoeconomically justified. On the other side, the substance abuse needs other strategies, including new substitution treatments. In our country only methadone maintenance therapy is available. It is necessary to provide adequate legislation to improve the process of drug registration. In the European Union it takes from 0 to 400 days for a drug to be registered, but in Serbia the process last longerthan 3 years. Important laws approved in 2006 and 2009, are only a part of the destigmatiazation of patients with mental disorders. Treatment guidelines also help in resolving these issues. Taking all of the above into consideration, the treatment of mental disorders with innovative drugs is financially justified, but still unreachable for patients in Serbia. The voice of the professionals should be heard in these matters in order to provide the adequate treatment of people with mental health problems.