This presentation will discuss the history and rationale of the absolute neutrophil count monitoring requirements of clozapine and update the audience on the changes that have occurred this past year with the FDA's elimination of the REMS.  This talk is for patients, their families, caregivers and health care team members to understand the continued barriers, solutions and emerging monitoring recommendations.  Best practices for clozapine monitoring and the new path forward will be discussed.  

At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will be able to:

• Understand the history and rationale why clozapine had a REMS program.
• Articulate the reasons for FDA action regarding the clozapine REMS.
• State the specific changes taking place as a consequence of the FDA decision to eliminate the REMS.
• Discuss best practices for clozapine monitoring.