BACKGROUND: Poor compliance of schizophrenic patients is well known and linked to negative treatment outcomes. To address persistent issues of compliance we need to adopt a more patient centric approach towards evaluation of medicine with an aim to better appreciate the requirements of patients. OBJECTIVES: To identify patient requirements towards drug characteristics, with further emphasis on route of administration, and to examine if attitudes are modified with experience with a depot. METHODS: Based on 13 relevant drug characteristics, extracted through patient focus groups [n=20] and literature a survey instrument was developed. Respondents were asked to rank and then rate the factors using 5-point Likert scales. Respondents included depot naïve [n=33], depot experienced [n=34], and patients currently on depot [n=38]). Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: In aggregate, patients ranked avoidance of dyskinesia (79.25), positive influence on sleep (75.25), onset of action (72.75), and no/little weight gain (72.25) as important drug characteristics. The least rated factors were no/little interaction with alcohol (52.75) and drug costs (53.5). With regard to differences between patients experiences with a depot, current depot users gave frequency of application a higher ranking (Rank 4 vs. Ranks 8,8). The preference for a depot formulation was highly dependent on previous experience (depot: 84%, depot experience: 29%, depot-naïve: 3%, p<0.05), with an overall preferred frequency of injection every four weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Schizophrenia are capable and willing to share their attitudes about key processes related to the medical management of schizophrenia. Incorporating patient preferences into decision making offers an opportunity to better understand issues of adherence and management of therapy. Experience with a depot medication seems to lead to higher acceptance and appreciation of such formulations. More research is need to understand if these differences are related a optimal selection of medication or a learning by doing phenomena.