[Correspondence] New clozapine regulations, old inequalities?

Abstract

Clozapine remains the most effective antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, yet its use continues to be restricted by mandatory haematological monitoring requirements. Although these monitoring programmes have substantially reduced mortality associated with clozapine-induced agranulocytosis (CIA), they also contribute to delayed treatment initiation, unnecessary discontinuation, and clinician reluctance to prescribe clozapine. These challenges have disproportionately affected people of African ancestry, contributing to longstanding ethnic inequalities in access to this highly effective treatment.