title: Ethnic neutropenia and clozapine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present paper was to examine the concept of benign ethnic neutropenia and to consider the implications of ethnicity in the current clozapine regulatory system.
  
  
  METHODS
  The case of a young Palestinian man who lost access to clozapine due to a fall in his neutrophil count, is presented herein, and a brief review of ethnic variations in neutrophil levels is given.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This patient's clozapine was ceased, with unfortunate consequences, despite his having normal immune function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By using normative haematological data established in white populations, the Australian clozapine regulatory system places some non-white patients at a considerable disadvantage.
authors.affiliation: Cumberland Psychiatric Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. abray@med.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bray
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018912:Arabs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D001315:Australia; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D028761:Withholding Treatment
chemical_list: D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018020:Lithium Compounds; D003024:Clozapine