Course Description
Harm reduction strategies aim to minimize the negative consequences of substance use, such as overdose and infectious disease transmission, through interventions like naloxone distribution, sterile syringe programs, and fentanyl test strips. While evidence supports these approaches, the pharmacist’s role in harm reduction remains underexplored despite unique opportunities for impact through accessibility, patient interaction, and medication expertise. Learners will gain insight into evidence-based harm reduction practices and the potential for pharmacist-led initiatives. Special attention will be given to navigating state and federal regulations, addressing ethical considerations, and identifying practical strategies to integrate harm reduction into pharmacy practice. This webinar will examine evidence-based literature on harm reduction strategies, the pharmacist's role, and potential legal ramifications.
Closed Captioning Available: Learners may enable Closed Captioning (CC) within Zoom during the live session. Captions are automatically generated and may not be completely accurate; transcription errors or omissions may occur.
Learning Objectives
- Recommend harm reduction strategies utilizing available evidence-based literature for clinical practice.
- Assess the pharmacist’s role in harm reduction strategies.
- Identify general legal ramifications that allow or limit harm reduction strategies.
Target Audience
If you are a pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or other health care professional involved in the comprehensive medication management of individuals living with mental health and/or substance use disorders, we invite you to participate in this online course.
Faculty
View biographical information
Aaron Salwan, PharmD, MPH, BCPP
Clinical Assistant Professor | Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
Dr. Aaron Salwan is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy and a clinical psychiatric pharmacist at Carrier Clinic, a 200-bed acute care psychiatric hospital providing services to children and adults with psychiatric and substance use disorders. He previously served as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, where he was the Founding Director of the PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency Program.
A 2017 graduate of the Ohio Northern University Raabe College of Pharmacy, Dr. Salwan completed a research fellowship in addiction and behavioral health at East Tennessee State University, where he also earned his Master of Public Health. He subsequently completed a PGY2 psychiatric pharmacy residency at Rutgers University. During his MPH training, he completed a three-month field experience at a syringe services program in Johnson City, Tennessee, where he helped provide safer injection supplies, naloxone education, and infectious disease testing to individuals who use drugs.
Dr. Salwan has authored or co-authored more than a dozen publications focused on harm reduction, psychopharmacology, and pharmacist-led mental health services. His scholarly and professional interests center on expanding pharmacists' roles in behavioral health, substance use care, harm reduction, and psychiatric education. He also holds a volunteer faculty appointment as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at East Tennessee State University.
Course Requirements
To receive ACPE credit for this session, you must:
- Register for this course.
- Review the full content of the activity and reflect upon its teachings.
- Complete the evaluation at the end of the activity.
- Provide the necessary details in your profile to ensure correct reporting by AAPP to CPE Monitor.
Continuing Education Credit and Disclosures
Activity Dates: 10/1/2026-10/1/2029
ACPE Contact Hours: 1.25
ACPE Number: 0284-0000-26-052-L08-P (Application)
 | The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. |
Nursing Credit Reminder: Note that ACPE credit is accepted for ANCC Certification Renewal and AANPCB advanced practice provider content. For specific questions related to your organization's acceptance of ACPE continuing education units, please contact your organization directly.
View Faculty and Program Planning Committee Disclosures of Interest
Faculty: Aaron Salwan, PharmD, MPH, BCPP has nothing to disclose
Planning Committee: Members and disclosures listed here.
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AAPP Disclaimer: Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure: Faculty of this CE activity may include discussions of products or devices that are not currently labeled for use by the FDA. The faculty have been informed of their responsibility to disclose to the audience if they will be discussing off-label or investigational uses (any uses not approved by the FDA) of products or devices. The faculty, planners, and American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists do not endorse the use of any product outside of the FDA labeled indications. Medical professionals should not utilize the procedures, products, or diagnosis techniques discussed during this activity without evaluation of their patient for contraindications or dangers of use.
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It is the policy of AAPP to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in continuing education activities. Those involved in the development of this continuing education activity have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that information contained herein is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific knowledge at the time of accreditation of this continuing education activity. Information regarding drugs (e.g., their administration, dosages, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, special warnings, and precautions) and drug delivery systems is subject to change, however, and the reader is advised to check the manufacturer’s package insert for information concerning recommended dosage and potential problems or cautions prior to dispensing or administering the drug or using the drug delivery systems.
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