What are the therapeutic needs in schizophrenia and how are they satisfied by new antipsychotics?

Although considerable progress has been made in the management of schizophrenia, much remains to be achieved in meeting the therapeutic needs of patients with this illness. Conventional antipsychotics have revolutionized treatment, but a substantial proportion of patients derive inadequate benefit and many suffer from adverse effects. Compliance with medication remains an enormous problem. With a number of new drugs soon to be available, it is hoped that valuable alternatives can be provided, increasing the possibility of good therapeutic response and increasing the benefit-to-risk ratio.