New Data from Teva Shows Substantial Rates of Undertreated Tardive Dyskinesia in Long-Term Care Settings at Psych Congress Elevate 2025

Rhea-AI Summary

Teva Pharmaceuticals revealed concerning findings about tardive dyskinesia (TD) treatment in long-term care facilities. The study showed that over 50% of LTC residents with TD don't receive standard care treatment, and 25% receive no treatment at all. Among residents on antipsychotic drugs, 5.6% were diagnosed with extrapyramidal syndrome while only 1.1% received specific TD diagnosis. The research, analyzing ~700,000 residents on antipsychotic drugs and ~35,000 on Reglan, found mood disorders as the most common underlying condition (68% and 54% respectively). Common comorbidities included dementia, chronic pulmonary disease, and congestive heart failure. Less than half of TD patients received the recommended VMAT2 inhibitor treatment, with most receiving non-FDA approved treatments like benztropine.

Positive

• Study provides valuable insights into TD treatment gaps in long-term care settings
• Research demonstrates Teva's commitment to advancing understanding of TD patient care
• Large-scale study analyzing ~700,000 residents provides robust data for healthcare improvements

Negative

• Over 50% of TD patients in long-term care don't receive standard treatment
• 25% of TD patients receive no treatment at all
• High rate of misdiagnosis with broader extrapyramidal syndrome instead of specific TD diagnosis
• Majority of patients receive non-FDA approved treatments

Insights

Neuropsychiatry Specialist

Teva's study reveals critical gaps in tardive dyskinesia care - over 50% of long-term care patients receive substandard treatment.

This new research from Teva identifies significant shortcomings in the management of tardive dyskinesia (TD) within long-term care (LTC) settings. The data reveals concerning treatment patterns: less than half of diagnosed TD patients receive the recommended vesicular monoamine transporter 2 inhibitors (VMAT2i), while a full 25% receive no treatment whatsoever.

The findings highlight a diagnostic challenge - many patients are given the broader classification of extrapyramidal syndrome (EPS) rather than the specific TD diagnosis. This distinction is critical because EPS encompasses various movement disorders with different treatment approaches, potentially leading to inappropriate management strategies for TD specifically.

The study's scope is substantial, analyzing approximately 700,000 residents taking antipsychotic drugs and 35,000 on metoclopramide (Reglan®), medications that put patients at risk for TD. Among this high-risk population, mood disorders were the predominant underlying psychiatric diagnosis at 68% and 54% respectively.

This research points to a systemic issue in LTC settings where TD remains underdiagnosed and undertreated despite published guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association. The gap between recommended and actual care practices suggests opportunities for improved education, screening protocols, and treatment pathways in institutional settings where vulnerable patients may have limited advocacy for their neurological symptoms.

• More than half of residents with tardive dyskinesia (TD) residing in long-term care (LTC) settings do not receive standard of care treatment, and one-quarter are left untreated
• LTC residents are often given a broader diagnosis of extrapyramidal syndrome, which can lead to incorrect treatment options for TD
• Teva is committed to continuing to advance research to better understand and help address unmet needs among patients living with TD in LTC settings as well as other settings
  

PARSIPPANY, N.J. and TEL AVIV, Israel, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Teva Pharmaceuticals, a U.S. affiliate of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA), today announced results from a study of treatment patterns among patients with tardive dyskinesia (TD) residing in long-term care (LTC) facilities, highlighting a critical gap in TD diagnosis and treatment.

"These results underscore the need for accurate diagnosis and timely treatment initiation for patients living with tardive dyskinesia in a long-term care setting,” said Eric Hughes, MD, PhD, Executive Vice President, Global R&D and Chief Medical Officer at Teva. "At Teva, we are committed to better understand and raise awareness of the gaps in TD care in all patients.”

Key results from the study revealed:

• Of the residents being treated with antipsychotic drugs (APDs), 5.6% had a diagnosis of extrapyramidal syndrome (EPS), – a broad term used to describe any drug-induced movement disorder with no wide-treating therapeutic option – while 1.1% had a specific diagnosis of TD.
• The most common comorbidities observed in residents on APDs at risk for TD included dementia, chronic pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure. Moderate or severe liver disease was observed in <1% of residents on APDs.
• Less than half of patients diagnosed with TD residing in LTC settings received the standard of care treatment recommended by the American Psychiatric Association – a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 inhibitor (VMAT2i). The majority were treated with a non-FDA approved treatment, primarily benztropine, and a quarter were not treated at all.
  

“Tardive dyskinesia remains a challenge to identify and is often mistaken for other conditions resulting in undertreatment or inappropriate treatment, often because of confusion about the symptoms a patient is having and also around appropriate treatment options,” said Amita Patel, MD, CMD, MHA, CPE. “These findings underscore the need to better understand and address the gaps in care that exist for residents in long-term care. Ultimately, it’s imperative that residents work with their healthcare providers to seek appropriate diagnoses and learn about potential treatments for TD.”

This study retrospectively analyzed a database of residents at risk for TD – those on an APD for ≥30 days and/or metoclopramide (Reglan^®) for >12 weeks. Of the ~700,000 residents on an APD and ~35,000 on Reglan^®, the most common underlying psychiatric diagnosis was a mood disorder (68% and 54%, respectively).

These findings illustrate that a substantial portion of individuals with TD residing in LTC facilities are at risk of not receiving an appropriate diagnosis or proper standard of care, highlighting the need for more intensive evaluation of residents in LTC for TD, to improve the accuracy of diagnoses and the provision of proper treatments. Full results from the study were presented at Psych Congress Elevate on May 30, 2025, with additional data expected later this year.

Use of Trademarks
Reglan^® is a registered trademark of UCB.

About Tardive Dyskinesia (TD)
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a highly debilitating, chronic movement disorder that affects one in four people who take certain mental health treatments and is characterized by uncontrollable, abnormal, and repetitive movements of the face, torso, and/or other body parts, which may be disruptive and negatively impact individuals.^1,2,3

About Teva
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) is a different kind of global biopharmaceutical leader, one that operates across the full spectrum of innovation to reliably deliver medicines to patients worldwide. For over 120 years, Teva’s commitment to bettering health has never wavered. Today, the company’s global network of capabilities enables its 37,000 employees across 57 markets to advance health by developing medicines for the future while championing the production of generics and biologics. We are dedicated to addressing patients’ needs, now and in the future. Moving forward together with science that treats, inspired by the people we serve. To learn more about how Teva is all in for better health, visit www.tevapharm.com.

Teva Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This Press Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are based on management’s current beliefs and expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that could cause our future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from that expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “target,” “may,” “project,” “guidance,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include risks relating to: our ability to successfully compete in the marketplace, including our ability to develop and commercialize additional pharmaceutical products; our ability to successfully execute our Pivot to Growth strategy, including to expand our innovative and biosimilar medicines pipeline and profitably commercialize the innovative medicines and biosimilar portfolio, whether organically or through business development, to sustain and focus our portfolio of generic medicines, and to execute on our organizational transformation and to achieve expected cost savings; and other factors discussed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2025 and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, including in the sections captioned “Risk Factors and “Forward Looking Statements.” Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or other information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

References

1. Warikoo N, Schwartz T, Citrome L. Tardive dyskinesia. In: Schwartz TL, Megna J, Topel ME, eds. Antipsychotic Drugs. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers. 2013:235-258.
2. Waln O, Jankovic J. An Update on Tardive Dyskinesia: From Phenomenology to Treatment. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov. 2013;3:1-11.
3. Tardive dyskinesia. National Alliance on Mental Illness website. https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment/Mental-Health-Medications/Tardive-Dyskinesia. Accessed May 4, 2023.
   

Teva Media Inquiries:
TevaCommunicationsNorthAmerica@tevapharm.com
Teva Investor Relations Inquires:
TevaIR@Tevapharm.com

FAQ

What percentage of long-term care residents with tardive dyskinesia (TD) are not receiving proper treatment according to Teva's study?

According to the study, more than 50% of residents with TD in long-term care settings do not receive standard of care treatment, and 25% receive no treatment at all.

What is the recommended treatment for tardive dyskinesia according to the American Psychiatric Association?

The American Psychiatric Association recommends vesicular monoamine transporter 2 inhibitors (VMAT2i) as the standard of care treatment for tardive dyskinesia.

What are the most common comorbidities in long-term care residents at risk for TD according to TEVA's research?

The most common comorbidities observed in residents on antipsychotic drugs at risk for TD included dementia, chronic pulmonary disease, and congestive heart failure.

What percentage of residents on antipsychotic drugs were diagnosed with TD versus extrapyramidal syndrome in the study?

5.6% of residents were diagnosed with extrapyramidal syndrome (EPS), while only 1.1% received a specific diagnosis of tardive dyskinesia (TD).

What was the most common underlying psychiatric diagnosis in the TEVA study for residents on antipsychotic drugs?

Mood disorders were the most common underlying psychiatric diagnosis, affecting 68% of residents on antipsychotic drugs and 54% of those on Reglan.