OBJECTIVES:To assess psychiatrists’ perceptions on treatment practices, relapses and associated costs for managing schizophrenia patients.To assess caregivers’ burden and patients’ well-being on second generation (SG) oral medication and SG long acting therapy (LAT). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was administered by a trained team of researchers using standard questionnaires. The participants consisted of 31 senior psychiatrists and 32 pairs of patients and caregivers pan India who were treated with SG oral medication or SG LATs (especially on Risperidone and Paliperidone) treatment for at least 6 months. RESULTS: Psychiatrists reported average relapse rate/year to be 22% with LAT vs. 60% with Orals, however, they reported that they prescribed LATs in only 10% of their patients. Median proportion of patients complying with medication was perceived to be higher (78%) with LATs vs. Orals (50%).  Irrespective of intervention, 15% of relapsed patients required hospitalization and when hospitalized, average length of stay varied between 7 to 14 days in more than 60% patients. Median hospitalization cost per day was estimated to be US$ 55 and US$ 85 for private and corporate hospitals respectively. Cost per relapse varied from US$ 375 to US$ 750 in private and US$ 585 to US$ 1170 in corporate hospitals. However, monthly cost for LAT was perceived to be higher (~US$ 150) as compared to orals (~US$ 23)Patients and caregivers reported that social, occupational and functional scale (SOFS) scores showed a significantly less impairment with LATs vs. Orals (Mean 16.5 versus 24.6, p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatrists’ perception reflected that though LAT reduces number of relapses and overall direct cost, however, in clinical practice LAT were not a preferred choice of treatment. Patients’ well-being on SOF parameters was significantly improved in LAT group. Results of 31 psychiatrists and 120 caregiver-patient pair is under analysis which will help draw further insights.