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.

AAPP Board member Danielle Stutzman, PharmD, BCPP, represented psychiatric pharmacy in expressing concerns about study's potential to perpetuate stigmatization of vaccines and, in particular, ASD.

#AAPP2026 Spotlight: The Mind-Body Connection: Integrating Psychiatric and Holistic Care in Fibromyalgia Management, presented by Emily Leppien, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP. This session will equip psychiatric pharmacists with the knowledge to recognize fibromyalgia symptoms, understand its neurobiological underpinnings, and evaluate both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment strategies. Join us at the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting in Bellevue, WA, on Seattle’s Eastside, for this session! #AAPP #psychpharmacy #acpe #bcpp #bcpmp

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

As an organization driven by and for psychiatric pharmacists, it is important for us to hear from you related to your educational needs. This survey, available at the link below, will take approximately 10 minutes of your time and will provide our educational committees with invaluable information as we plan future activities and events tailored to you. We thank you in advance for your time.

These free articles are intended to provide advice from experts for students, residents, and new practitioners.

AAPP has recently partnered with HealthWell Foundation, a non-profit foundation that provides financial assistance to adults and children facing medical hardship resulting from gaps in their insurance that cause out-of-pocket medical expenses to escalate rapidly. HealthWell assists with the treatment-related cost-sharing obligations of these patients.

Dr. Sadie Roestenburg, PharmD, BCPS, talks about managing Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT).

The AAPP Foundation continues to proudly support the AAPP Outcomes Initiative with a second $250,000 research grant. This 2025 grant has been awarded to study the impact of care by psychiatric pharmacists on the treatment of depression. The project, “Alternate Prescriber Type - Depression Management (Trial APT-DM): Impact of Psychiatric Pharmacist on Major Depressive Disorder in Primary Care,” will be led by Co-Principal Investigators, Dr. Nathaniel Rickles (UConn School of Pharmacy), Dr. Wilner Samson (Hartford Healthcare), and Dr. Charles Caley (Western New England University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences). Congratulations to the researchers! And thanks to all psychiatric pharmacists for their work treating patients with depression!

With just 26 days before Medicare telehealth flexibilities expire, the American Medical Association (AMA) asked lawmakers to work with the Congressional Budget Office on new forward-looking scoring it says would justify permanent telehealth reforms. The powerful physician lobby floated an issue brief that dovetails with the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again agenda, arguing empirical analysis not currently considered by CBO suggest telehealth offers long-term savings from early intervention, improved chronic disease management and reduced use of costly emergency and inpatient services. The brief says these elements affect key drivers of health care costs: clinician retention, care quality, patient engagement and the avoidance of costly emergency or inpatient care. A more comprehensive approach is needed to evaluate the economic impact of telehealth, including effects on the sustainability and efficiency of federal health programs and the broader health care system, the lobby says.

#AAPP2026 Spotlight: Medication Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder: Beyond Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, presented by Franklin Schneier, MD Current clinical guidelines offer limited direction beyond the use of FDA-approved SSRIs and SNRIs, particularly regarding novel treatments like antipsychotics and ketamine. This session examines the evolving evidence surrounding off-label medications for social anxiety, highlighting the research that suggests a potential role for these agents in select patients. Join us at the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting in Bellevue, WA, on Seattle’s Eastside, for this session! #AAPP #psychpharmacy #acpe #bcpp #bcpmp

Roni Caryn Rabin, The New York Times

BPS is seeking psychiatric pharmacists to serve as standard setting panelists. You can apply through March 2, 2026.

AAPP Foundation has awarded the 2025 AAPP Practice Expansion grant to P. Brittany Vickery for the project, “The Hendersonville Free Clinic Practice Expansion via Flexible-Schedule Telepsychiatry Provided by a Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner.” The project will expand access to care by a BCPP at multiple clinics. The $25,000 grant was funded through a gift from AAPP Founding Member Joni Fowler.

#AAPP2026 Spotlight: Stick with It: An Update on New Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics, presented by Andy Williams, PharmD, BCPP, FAAPP. This presentation equips psychiatric pharmacists with the latest insights into newer LAIAs, highlighting key pharmacologic differences, dosing strategies, administration techniques, and storage requirements. Join us at the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting in Bellevue, WA, on Seattle’s Eastside, for this session! #AAPP #psychpharmacy #acpe #bcpp #bcpmp

#AAPP2026 Spotlight: The Hidden Hangover: Managing Alcohol Use Disorder with Co-occurring Trauma, presented by Theresa Frey, PharmD, BCPP. Managing co-occurring alcohol use disorder (AUD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presents unique clinical challenges that demand nuanced, integrated treatment strategies. This session will explore the high prevalence of co-occurrence, particularly in vulnerable populations, and the resulting impact on treatment engagement and outcomes. Join us at the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting in Bellevue, WA, on Seattle’s Eastside, for this session! #AAPP #psychpharmacy #acpe #bcpp #bcpmp

Psychiatric clinical pharmacists are integrated in a multidisciplinary model of care to provide expertise on psychotropic medications and optimize pharmacotherapy in a variety of mental health conditions. By leading medication education groups, pharmacists can connect with their patients and discuss important medication pearls to improve adherence and decrease adverse events.

#AAPP2026 Spotlight: Navigating Real Challenges: Applying Artificial Intelligence to Personalized Treatment Planning in Mental Health, presented by Andrea Sikora, PharmD, MSCR, FCCP, FCCM Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly emerging as a tool in mental health care, offering opportunities to enhance treatment planning, predict outcomes, and support clinical decision-making. This session will introduce psychiatric pharmacists to currently available AI tools and how they may be used in clinical practice. Join us at the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting in Bellevue, WA, on Seattle’s Eastside, for this session! #AAPP #psychpharmacy #acpe #bcpp #bcpmp

AAPP apparel is now available for purchase! Choose from a selection of t-shirts, polos, sweaters, jackets, and more, and enjoy $10 flat rate shipping for your entire order. The store will close on March 2, and all items will be created and shipped after that date. Order now and proudly wear your AAPP-branded merchandise at AAPP 2026!

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

AAPP members Julie Dopheide and Danielle Stutzman share their experience as AAPP Ambassadors at the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Annual Meeting in Chicago.

#AAPP2026 Spotlight: Midlife Mood Management: A Pharmacy-Led Approach to Menopausal Mental Health, presented by Lisa Miller, PharmD, MSCP, LCMHCA, NCC. The menopause transition is a critical period marked by hormonal shifts that can contribute to the onset or worsening of anxiety and depression. This session unpacks the science behind these symptoms, outlines who’s most at risk, and offers evidence-based treatment options that go beyond hormones. Join us at the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting in Bellevue, WA, on Seattle’s Eastside, for this session! #AAPP #psychpharmacy #acpe #bcpp #bcpmp

If you missed any of the previous Resident Journal Club presentations or would like to revisit a session, recordings are available for you to listen and review at your convenience. Once registered, you can access the recordings, presentations, and article links on the Journal Club page.

#AAPP2026 Spotlight: Deprescribing Psychotropics in Older Adults with Neuropsychiatric Disorders, presented by Nina Vadiei, PharmD, BCPP. This session will educate psychiatric pharmacists on the current evidence to support the practice of deprescribing psychotropics in older adults and consider areas of ongoing investigation. Join us at the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting in Bellevue, WA, on Seattle’s Eastside, for this session! #AAPP #psychpharmacy #acpe #bcpp #bcpmp

AAPP had a busy year advocating on behalf of the membership with Congress and the Administration amidst a rapidly changing federal landscape. Throughout the year, AAPP worked to advance the policy priorities outlined in the 2025 Health Policy Agenda. As the new year begins, we look back on the advocacy activities AAPP was engaged in last year with the expectation that 2026 will be full of activity once again.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), working jointly with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), today announced a fourth temporary extension of telemedicine flexibilities that allow patients to receive prescriptions for controlled medications without a prior in-person visit. The extension runs from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, preventing disruptions in care while permanent rules are finalized. The telemedicine flexibilities were first introduced during the COVID-19 public health emergency and have remained in place through a series of temporary extensions. Without this action, patients and providers would face a sudden return to pre-pandemic restrictions — often referred to as the “telemedicine cliff” — which could abruptly cut off access to needed medications.

A drug purchasing pilot program was due to take effect on January 1, 2026, but was paused by the Trump administration after a federal judge ruled officials didn't sufficiently consider the impact on safety net hospitals. Under the program, large drug makers wanted to make providers pay full price for medicines they currently get at a steep discount and reimburse them later if they're found to qualify under the federal 340B program. Although the administration has said it will appeal the ruling, manufactures who were approved for the program must continue to offer all covered drugs with an up-front discount.

#AAPP2026 Spotlight: Reshaping Perspectives: The Link Between Stigma and Health Inequities in Mental Health, presented by Carolanne Wartman, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP. The session will underscore the importance of psychiatric pharmacists in advocating for patients with mental illness by fostering an environment free of judgment, recognizing and addressing personal and systemic biases, and employing evidence-based strategies to combat stigma. Join us at the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting in Bellevue, WA, on Seattle’s Eastside, for this session! #AAPP #psychpharmacy #acpe #bcpp #bcpmp

All 2026 BCPP Recertification products are available for pre-registration. Although course materials and examinations are not available until release dates, you can pre-register and order online today! Consider making these products part of your BPS Continuing Professional Development plan!

#AAPP2026 Spotlight: Never Let a Good Crisis Go to Waste: What Pharmacists Need to Understand about Helping People in Crisis, presented by Jack Rozel, MD, MSL, DFAPA. Early psychosis presents a critical window to alter the long-term trajectory of schizophrenia, yet treatment decisions during this period are complex and highly individualized. This session will equip psychiatric pharmacists with the knowledge to compare efficacy, adverse effect profiles, and patient-specific factors when selecting antipsychotic medications for early psychosis. Join us at the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting in Bellevue, WA, on Seattle’s Eastside, for this session! #AAPP #psychpharmacy #acpe #bcpp #bcpmp

Stream this expert-led discussion on the expanding role of digital therapeutics in treating mental health conditions. Watch the recording and stay ahead in this fast-evolving field! Visit the course page to watch the webinar or learn more and register.

Our analyses characterized the landscape of shared and divergent genetic influences of common variants on 14 psychiatric disorders.

#AAPP2026 Spotlight: Intended And Unintended Outcomes After FDA Pediatric Antidepressant Warnings, presented by Stephen Soumerai, ScD. This session will examine the clinical trial data that prompted the warnings, evaluate both the safety intentions and unintended consequences on prescribing patterns and patient outcomes, and highlight future research needed to clarify risks and inform evidence-based practice. Join us at the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting in Bellevue, WA, on Seattle’s Eastside, for this session! #AAPP #psychpharmacy #acpe #bcpp #bcpmp

#AAPP2026 Spotlight: Navigating Early Psychosis: Strategies for Optimal Antipsychotic Treatment Selection, presented by Deepak K. Sarpal, MD. Early psychosis presents a critical window to alter the long-term trajectory of schizophrenia, yet treatment decisions during this period are complex and highly individualized. This session will equip psychiatric pharmacists with the knowledge to compare efficacy, adverse effect profiles, and patient-specific factors when selecting antipsychotic medications for early psychosis. Join us at the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting in Bellevue, WA, on Seattle’s Eastside, for this session! #AAPP #psychpharmacy #acpe #bcpp #bcpmp

#AAPP2026 Spotlight: Overdose Prevention Centers: Research, Outcomes, and Clinical Relevance, presented by Brandon D.L. Marshall, PhD. Supervised consumption sites have been implemented in various countries and select U.S. jurisdictions with the goal of addressing overdose risk and connecting individuals to health care and social services. This presentation will review the available evidence on health and safety outcomes associated with these sites, including their impact on overdose events, infectious disease transmission, and community metrics. Join us at the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting in Bellevue, WA, on Seattle’s Eastside, for this session! #AAPP #psychpharmacy #acpe #bcpp #bcpmp

From inpatient strategies and complex case management to profitability and curriculum integration, this six-part program covers everything pharmacists need to lead with confidence in LAI care. #PatientCare #LAIs #psychiatricpharmacy #CE

These freely accessible resources include talking points on what psychiatric pharmacists do for patients and how they care for patients, where to locate a psychiatric pharmacist, consumer tools on common topics, and medication fact sheets.

#AAPP2026 Spotlight: Beyond the Price Tag: Cost-Effectiveness of Today’s Psychotropic Medications, presented by Vera Reinstein, PharmD, BCPS, FNCAP. Attendees will leave equipped to design treatment plans that integrate both therapeutic value and cost considerations, helping ensure access to high-impact care. Join us at the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting in Bellevue, WA, on Seattle’s Eastside, for this session! #AAPP #psychpharmacy #acpe #bcpp #bcpmp

#AAPP2026 Spotlight: Repurposing GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for Substance Use Disorders, presented by Stephanie Weiss, MD, PhD. GLP-1 receptor agonists, traditionally used for metabolic conditions, are gaining attention for their potential to modulate reward pathways in addiction. This presentation explores the neurobiological rationale and emerging clinical evidence supporting their use in alcohol and other substance use disorders. Join us at the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting in Bellevue, WA, on Seattle’s Eastside, for this session! #AAPP #psychpharmacy #acpe #bcpp #bcpmp

#AAPP2026 Spotlight: Beyond Childhood: Management of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults, presented by Gary Stobbe, MD. This session explores the epidemiology and progression of ASD across the lifespan, highlights common co-occurring conditions in adulthood, and reviews current evidence for medication management of core symptoms in adult populations. Join us at the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting in Bellevue, WA, on Seattle’s Eastside, for this session! #AAPP #psychpharmacy #acpe #bcpp #bcpmp

Judy Curtis, Pharm.D., BCPP, FASHP shares opportunities for psychiatric pharmacists in industry and discusses her medical science liaison career.

#AAPP2026 Session Spotlight: Real World/Practical Insights in New Medications, presented by Kevin Kavanagh, PharmD, BCPP, Aph, Hejab J. Khan, PharmD, BCPP, and Hannah Wilkoff, PharmD, BCPP. Discover the evolving landscape of psychotropic medications and how new advancements are reshaping mental health treatment. Join us at the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting in Bellevue, WA, on Seattle’s Eastside, for this session! #AAPP #psychpharmacy #acpe #bcpp #bcpmp

AAPP Foundation has awarded the 2025 AAPP Practice Expansion grant to P. Brittany Vickery for the project, “The Hendersonville Free Clinic Practice Expansion via Flexible-Schedule Telepsychiatry Provided by a Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner.” The project will expand access to care by a BCPP at multiple clinics. The $25,000 grant was funded through a gift from AAPP Founding Member Joni Fowler.

#AAPP2026 Spotlight: The Pleasure Pain Balance in a Dopamine Overloaded World, presented by Dr. Anna Lembke, MD. Participants will learn how chronic overstimulation shifts mood and motivation, and why practices like dopamine fasting can help reset the brain’s reward pathways. Join us at the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting in Bellevue, WA, on Seattle’s Eastside, for this session! #AAPP #psychpharmacy #acpe #bcpp #bcpmp

See how board-certified psychiatric pharmacists are well positioned to manage medications for people with mental health conditions to address psychiatric workforce shortages. Regulatory changes can expand their impact on patient care.

U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Jim Justice (R-WV) introduced bipartisan legislation to help ensure that people who are struggling with addiction can access life-saving medication-assisted treatment (MAT) – the gold standard of addiction care – without dangerous delays. The No Red Tape for Addiction Treatment Act would eliminate prior authorization requirements for people with Medicaid coverage who need medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction, removing a bureaucratic barrier that can leave patients waiting days to fill their prescriptions when every moment counts.