PRINTER'S NO. 1832
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
343
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY COLLETT, DINNIMAN, FONTANA, BROWNE, PHILLIPS-HILL,
SANTARSIERO, FARNESE, TARTAGLIONE, COSTA, STEFANO, BREWSTER,
STREET AND SCHWANK, JUNE 30, 2020
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, JUNE 30, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Designating the week of May 3, 2020, as "Tardive Dyskinesia
Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Many people with serious, chronic mental illness,
such as schizophrenia and other schizoaffective disorders,
bipolar disorder or severe depression require treatment with
medications that work as dopamine receptor blocking agents
(DRBAs), including antipsychotics; and
WHEREAS, While ongoing treatment with these medications can
be very helpful and even lifesaving, it can also lead to Tardive
Dyskinesia (TD); and
WHEREAS, Many people who have gastrointestinal disorders,
including gastroparesis, nausea and vomiting, also require
treatment with DRBA's; and
WHEREAS, Treatment of gastrointestinal disorders with DRBAs
can be very helpful, but can lead to Tardive Dyskinesia for many
patients; and
WHEREAS, Tardive Dyskinesia is a movement disorder that is
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characterized by random, involuntary and uncontrolled movements
of different muscles in the face, trunk and extremities; and
WHEREAS, In some cases, people with Tardive Dyskinesia may
experience movement of the arms, legs, fingers and toes or it
may affect the tongue, lips and jaw; and
WHEREAS, In other cases, symptoms may include swaying
movements of the trunk or hips and may impact the muscles
associated with walking, speech, eating and breathing; and
WHEREAS, Tardive Dyskinesia can develop months, years or
decades after a person starts taking DRBAs and even after they
have discontinued use of those medications; and
WHEREAS, Not everyone who takes a DRBA develops TD, but if it
develops it is often permanent; and
WHEREAS, Common risk factors for Tardive Dyskinesia include
advanced age and alcoholism or other substance abuse disorders;
and
WHEREAS, Postmenopausal women and people with a mood disorder
are also at higher risk of developing Tardive Dyskinesia; and
WHEREAS, A person is at higher risk for TD after taking DRBAs
for three months or longer, but the longer the person is on
these medications, the higher the risk of developing Tardive
Dyskinesia; and
WHEREAS, Studies suggest that the overall risk of developing
Tardive Dyskinesia is between 10% and 30%; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that more than 500,000 Americans
suffer from Tardive Dyskinesia; and
WHEREAS, According to the National Alliance for Mental
Illness, one in every four patients receiving long-term
treatment with an antipsychotic medication will experience
Tardive Dyskinesia; and
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WHEREAS, Years of difficult and challenging research have
resulted in recent scientific breakthroughs with two new
treatments for Tardive Dyskinesia approved by the United States
Food and Drug Administration; and
WHEREAS, Tardive Dyskinesia is often unrecognized and
patients suffering from the illness are commonly misdiagnosed;
and
WHEREAS, Regular screening for TD in patients taking DRBA
medications is recommended by the American Psychiatric
Association (APA); and
WHEREAS, Patients suffering from Tardive Dyskinesia often
suffer embarrassment due to abnormal and involuntary movements,
which leads them to withdraw from society and increasingly
isolate themselves as the disease progresses; and
WHEREAS, Caregivers of patients with Tardive Dyskinesia face
many challenges and are often responsible for the overall care
of the TD patient; and
WHEREAS, The Senate can raise awareness of Tardive Dyskinesia
in the public and medical community; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the week of May 3, 2020,
as "Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That each individual in Pennsylvania and the United
States be encouraged to become better informed about and aware
of Tardive Dyskinesia.
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