This research examines whether new psychotropic medications “pay for themselves.” The focus of the research is examining the diffusion of new psychotropic medications and examining the impact the expanded use of these drugs has on other health and mental health care spending. The focus of the research is on drugs used to treat major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. We are conducting meta-analyses of clinical trials, analyses of private health insurance claims, and studies of Medicaid programs that treat people with severe and persistent mental disorders.

In our initial set of results we have found little evidence of cost offsets in health and mental health spending stemming from the introduction of new psychotropic agents. Our initial work focused on bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.