News and Insights for Psychiatric Pharmacists

Improve your peer review skills! Discover the components to evaluate, the role of the peer reviewer, the skills necessary to critically evaluate a manuscript, and how to provide feedback to authors and journal editors.

Kelly Gable, professor and director of well-being and resilience at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy, and member of the AAPP Board, discusses her own cancer journey and how pharmacists need to be more involved and proactive in patients' mental health.

AAPP supports defining opioid use disorder as a treatable medical condition with a biological basis that is often associated with a history of trauma. Access to MOUD is essential in reducing deaths related to opioid overdose and landmark studies clearly demonstrate that the benefits of MOUD outweigh the risks. Psychiatric pharmacists are encouraged to use this policy brief to support your own advocacy for this gold-standard treatment.

Evidence is insufficient for the use of cannabis or cannabinoids for most medical indications.

New analysis from a WHO global expert committee on vaccine safety has found that, based on available evidence, no causal link exists between vaccines and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The conclusion reaffirms WHO’s position that childhood vaccines do not cause autism.

As I look back on this year for the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP), I am deeply grateful for the achievements that have strengthened our association and advanced our shared mission.

Evidence is insufficient for the use of cannabis or cannabinoids for most medical indications. Clear guidance from clinicians is essential to support safe, evidence-based decision-making.

This study used our peer-reviewed model of the US opioid crisis to demonstrate how a falling at-risk population combined with probable plateauing of the mortality rate produced the recent decline in US overdose deaths.

ED-initiated XR-BUP was associated with substantial reductions in opioid and polysubstance use during the first week post-discharge, supporting its role in early overdose risk mitigation and highlighting its value as an ED-based intervention for opioid use disorder.

Across large parts of the U.S., more than 60% of residents are connected to a post office slated for consolidation, with some counties topping 80%. And these are the same communities — often rural, older, and managing chronic conditions — that depend most on timely mail-order medications, according to research from The Brookings Institution. Mail-order pharmacy use increases roughly 20% for every 10 miles farther a patient is from a pharmacy. About 6% of U.S. residents, or roughly 3.7 million Medicare beneficiaries, face a triple burden of limited pharmacy access, high mail-order use, and exposure to postal network restructuring.

In this cohort study including children prenatally exposed to SSRIs, additional exposure to SSRIs through breastfeeding was not associated with reduced IQ scores.

Antipsychotic prescriptions for older adults in the U.S. have increased in the last decade, especially from long-term care pharmacies. That’s according to a study published in JAMA Psychiatry, which found that among adults aged 65 and older, rates of antipsychotic use increased from 2.67 per 100 people in 2015 to 4.05 per 100 in 2024. Researchers analyzed a decade of antipsychotic prescription claims from around the country for more than 8 million people aged 65 or older. Long-term use increased over the years, as did prescriptions from long-term care pharmacies. Prescriptions from psychiatrists declined. The patterns suggest an increase in chronic conditions or cognitive impairments among older adults, the authors write. They believe the increase in prescriptions emphasize the importance of improving mental health care and behavioral interventions for this population.

Despite strong evidence, there is a large implementation gap in both high-income and LMIC settings.

The analysis directly compared the effectiveness of different strategies on the rate of relapse either with or without psychological support.

States will have some flexibility in requiring Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled in the expansion population to meet the new work requirements, CMS says in its initial guidance on provisions of the GOP megabill, which also allocated $200 million in Government Efficiency Grants to help states implement the new community engagement requirements. Among the completely exempted beneficiaries are former foster care children, pregnant women, certain native populations, inmates, caregivers of a 14-year-old or younger, beneficiaries diagnosed with special medical needs, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program enrollees. Beneficiaries enrolled in certain substance use disorder treatment and rehabilitation programs are also exempt. States will have the option to exempt beneficiaries from work requirements if they meet “certain short-term hardship events.” These are “receiving inpatient hospital services or certain other types of medical care; residing in a locality where there is a Presidential declaration of a disaster or emergency; residing in a locality with an unemployment rate over certain thresholds; or needing to travel outside of their community for an extended period of time, for themselves or their dependents, to receive treatment of a serious or complex medical condition where such treatment is not available within the individual’s community of residence.” Meanwhile, states only have to provide written notice of initial enrollment denials and fair hearing rights before dropping the beneficiary from coverage at the end of the 30-day period.

Registration is open for AAPP 2026 in Bellevue, Washington, on Seattle's Eastside! Plan to attend along with 800+ psych pharmacists and take advantage of 23+ hours of CE and 10 hours of BCPP recertification programming. Registration rates increase March 20, 2026.

We're pleased to give AAPP members a sneak peek at future Annual Meeting locations! Which city are you the most excited for?

Pharmacy careers change lives. Learn if a job as a pharmacist is right for you and how you can help people live better, healthier lives. #Pharmacy #PsychPharm

Barriers to access shouldn’t stand in the way of opportunity. Student Registration Grants supported by the AAPP Foundation help aspiring psychiatric pharmacists attend key events and grow professionally. Support the next generation of psychiatric pharmacy leaders. #AAPPFoundation #AdvancingPsychPharmacy

Psychiatric clinical pharmacists are pivotal in the care of patients with substance use disorders to advocate for and initiate medications for alcohol use disorder (MAUD) and opioid use disorder (MOUD). Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to counsel patients on MAUD/MOUD, provide naloxone on discharge, and further facilitate transitions of care by ensuring affordability of these medications and confirming continuity via outpatient follow up.

Clinical pearls are an important part of medical education where psychiatric pharmacists share their experiences with unique patient cases and/or clinical challenges. The Program Committee is pleased to once again be accepting submissions for 13-minute presentations at AAPP 2026 on Tuesday, April 21, in Bellevue, Washington (on Seattle's Eastside). Pharmacists should submit their clinical pearl online for consideration by the January 8, 2026, deadline, and up to 3 presentations will be selected for the Clinical Pearls session.

Ready to lead the way in psychotropic LAI implementation? This 6-part educational series equips learners with advanced knowledge across clinical care, patient engagement, leadership advocacy, and financial sustainability. #LAIs #psychiatricpharmacy #CE

Clinical effectiveness was supported in most studies, particularly for promoting abstinence and medication adherence.

This study’s results support advanced psychiatric-mental health practice nurses and emergency and psychiatric-mental health clinical nurses in improving the quality of care and safety for this vulnerable population.

Evidence suggests that the use of serotonergic and non-serotonergic psychedelics for the treatment of SUD may provide advantages over traditional therapeutics.

AAPP supports access to behavioral interventions, including parent training in behavior management, and stimulant treatment for youth with functionally impairing symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as the most effective treatment for ADHD given their associated improvement in academic, social, and developmental functioning. Psychiatric pharmacists are encouraged to use this policy brief to support your own advocacy for this gold-standard treatment.

There are many patients with serious mental illness and substance use disorder who may benefit from a long-acting medication but are not offered a trial. Long-acting medications (LAMs) have been underutilized for these conditions, despite convincing evidence of their superior outcomes compared to oral medications.

Following overnight cannabis abstinence, smoking cannabis acutely decreased alcohol consumption compared to placebo.

This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates that CM effectively reduces alcohol use among adults with UAU.

These findings suggest VLNC cigarettes may aid broadly in cessation efforts and demonstrate feasibility for larger trials.

You can submit abstracts online for the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting from now through January 8, 2026. Accepted abstracts will be displayed during the meeting at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue in Bellevue, Washington, held April 19-22, 2026.

BPS issued a call for applications for Board-Certified Pain Management Pharmacists (BCPMP) to serve on the BPS Pain Management Pharmacy Specialty Council for a term starting in February 2026. A maximum of four BCPMP positions are available. Applications are due no later Friday, December 12, 2025 by 5:00 pm Eastern Time.

This free pharmacist toolkit on benzodiazepine taper includes populations at risk for complications, screening and diagnosis, benzodiazepine withdrawal, treatment, special populations, harm reduction, clinical pearls, authors experience, and references.

Whether you're improving transitions of care, managing special populations, or building a profitable clinic - this program has you covered! Register now and gain up to 9 CE credits by completing modules of interest. #LAI

There were modest increases in methadone and buprenorphine use per 1000 Medicaid enrollees from 1999 to 2010.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion aren’t just buzzwords—they are essential to progress. Support DEI Grants that help psychiatric pharmacy become a more inclusive and representative profession. Your contribution can help amplify new voices and perspectives. #AAPPFoundation #AdvancingPsychPharmacy

Join us for a live webinar December 3! This program will explore the impact of MDD and the challenges people may face with the disease, including residual symptoms despite antidepressant treatment. We shed light on why adjunctive treatment with an atypical antipsychotic may be considered for these patients and how the patient’s symptom profile can help shape their treatment plan. The efficacy and safety of an atypical antipsychotic treatment option are examined to understand its use as an adjunctive therapy with an antidepressant for the treatment of MDD. Click the link to learn more and register!

Planning to sit for the BCPP exam? We've got resources! #BCPP #AAPP #examprep #psychpharmacy

Earn up to 5.5 ACPE contact hours during this on-demand, seven-part educational series! Webinars are immediately accessible. Register and start today!

Giving Tuesday is almost here! The campaign starts at midnight tonight, and the world is ready to make a difference. To support the AAPP Foundation and help us reach our annual fundraising goal of $75,000, please make your donation online or by mail to: AAPP Foundation 8055 O Street, Suite S113 Lincoln, NE 68510 Your donation will make a difference! Thank you for partnering with us to advance psychiatric pharmacy.

AAPP supports the continued availability of SSRIs as an option for treatment of moderate to severe symptoms of perinatal depression and anxiety. Any concerns regarding risks of antidepressant use in this population must be weighed against the risks associated with suboptimal management of psychiatric symptoms. Psychiatric pharmacists are encouraged to use this policy brief to support your own advocacy for this gold-standard treatment.

The AAPP Resident and New Practitioner Committee recently completed updates to treatment guidelines and pharmacy essentials. These free resources provide references and clinical pearls for practitioners beginning to practice in psychiatry as well as treatment guidelines for anxiety and related disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, medication-induced movement disorders, schizophrenia, seizure disorders, sleep-wake disorders, and substance use disorder.

Be part of defining what’s next for psychiatric pharmacy. A $250/month donation funds “Defining the Future” Research Grants that support pioneering ideas and new models of care. Let’s shape the future—together. #AAPPFoundation #AdvancingPsychPharmacy