News and Insights for Psychiatric Pharmacists

The cannabis toolkit was recently updated to include new medications and citations. The toolkit provides tips and guideline summaries for cannabis use disorder and is authored by member Ben Miskle, PharmD.

The AAPP membership has elected three officers to serve on the 2026-2028 Board of Directors. Assuming their offices effective July 1, 2026, will be Drs. Austin Campbell, Julie Cunningham and Bethany DiPaula. These 3 new members will join Drs. Jolene Bostwick, Kelly Gable, Suzanne Harris and Danielle Stutzman on the Board for 2026-2027.

The Global status report on neurology presents the first comprehensive global assessment of the public health response to neurological disorders under the Intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders 2022–31 (IGAP).

A new Kaiser Family Foundation brief tracks how states are reshaping vaccine policies amid shifting federal guidance. As of Sept. 22, 2025, 26 states had implemented or announced updates expanding access to COVID-19 and other vaccines beyond federal limits. The analysis highlights a sharp partisan divide: Democratic governors lead 23 of those 26 states. The findings suggest vaccine access may increasingly vary by state, reflecting broader political polarization and mirroring national divides in public opinion over vaccination and public health policy.

The American Psychiatric Association has released an updated guideline for preventing and treating delirium. The previous guideline was published in 1999 with a minor revision in 2010. The updated guideline includes steps aimed at prevention and has a broader scope, targeting not only psychiatrists but also specialists in internal medicine, family medicine, and critical care nursing.

Thanks to member authors Julie Cunningham and Tanya Uritsky, AAPP is pleased to offer this toolkit on Pain Management Pearls for Patients with Chronic Pain or Opioid Use Disorder. The toolkit includes general clinical pearls, information on managing pain and co-occurring MOUD, perinatal pain in patients prescribed MOUD, postpartum opioid-induced respiratory events, and discussion of chronic pain management with a focus on buprenorphine.

“Given this landscape, psychiatric pharmacists play a more important role than ever in patient care. Our knowledge, experience, and understanding of other disease states allows us to support the whole patient.” - Dr. Bostwick

During #PharmacistMonth, let’s take a moment to celebrate all the incredible individuals who support psych pharmacists! Tag a member of your care team that you appreciate. #APhM2025 #psychpharmacy

The AAPP Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 11th annual Defining the Future Research Grant Awards: Saira Pacheco, PharmD Student, Western University of Health Sciences; Seo Young Park, PharmD, PGY2 Resident, Montefiore Nyack Hospital; Jack Smith, PharmD Student, Wayne State University; Amber Tran, PharmD, PGY2 Resident, Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital; Mina Wolfe, PharmD, Consultant Pharmacist, North Carolina Association of Pharmacists. Read the full press release!

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

Your support makes a measurable difference. A $1,000/month donation funds research that helps integrate psychiatric pharmacists into mental health care teams—improving outcomes for patients and the profession. Now is the time to invest in your field. #AAPPFoundation #AdvancingPsychPharmacy

AAPP supports access to behavioral interventions and stimulant treatment for youth with functionally impairing symptoms of ADHD. Use AAPP’s policy brief to advocate for this gold-standard treatment.

At VA Healthcare Systems, psychiatric pharmacists manage medications for military Veterans in outpatient clinics. Under a broad scope of practice (including controlled substance prescribing), psychiatric pharmacists meet one-on-one with Veterans to design personalized treatment plans that optimize symptom control while minimizing side effects.

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.

Young LGBTQ+ people are experiencing worse mental health symptoms, more exposure to conversion therapy, and less access to mental health care, according to an interim report from the Trevor Project.

Guiding principles for state policy on pharmacy personnel-administered vaccines issued by pharmacy vaccine workgroup.

AAPP shares NAMI’s concerns with additional layoffs at SAMHSA and other federal agencies which run programs helping people with mental health conditions. These cuts, coupled with earlier rounds of layoffs and retirements, mean that SAMHSA has reportedly lost nearly two-thirds of its workforce since January. AAPP agrees that such drastic staffing changes threaten to disrupt the availability of the lifesaving resources managed through these agencies.

NAMI’s Federal Shutdown Guide outlines what is known about operations for federal health care and social services that people with mental illness rely on. The guide will be updated as new or additional information becomes available or a deal is reached to re-open the federal government.

A pharmacy-based Vaccine Access Work Group, consisting of representatives from a diverse group of 13 organizations across pharmacy practice settings (including AAPP), jointly published guiding principles for state policy on pharmacy personnel–administered vaccines. This marks an unprecedented level of collaboration between pharmacy professionals, symbolizing a strong commitment from the field of pharmacy to national public health interests. In many states, the authority for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy interns to administer vaccines is tied directly to recommendations from federal bodies such as the CDC, ACIP, and/or the FDA. As federal processes evolve, recommendations change, and advisory structures shift. Such references can create unintended legal and regulatory ambiguity, reduce flexibility, and delay access to newly authorized and existing vaccines. The core principles proposed in this document aim to address ambiguity in state policymaking regarding pharmacy personnel–administered vaccines, ultimately improving access to essential vaccinations for all Americans and providing guidance for structuring payment for pharmacist-provided services.

The primary goal of the TNT PC-TEAM fellowship is to provide mentorship and teaching skills in the area of addiction medicine. Trainees will learn in both small and large group settings, with a focus on how to teach information and skills learned to providers in their region. The target audiences for the program are MDs, DOs, NPs and PAs. Learn more and apply by Oct. 31, 2025.

AAPP member Kelly Gable reflects on her personal breast cancer journey and advocates for change in a recent article published in the Journal of Patient Experience.

The AAPP Foundation has awarded over $70,000 in research grants and educational support in 2025! We need your support to reach our goal of raising $75,000 to continue these important programs. Help us shape the future of psychiatric pharmacy through these important projects with a donation today.

Missed the webinar? You're in luck! "Better Together: Pharmacists and Laboratorians Advancing Care" remains available for on-demand viewing and is free for all members through 10/31/25. Discover how dynamic collaboration between pharmacists and laboratorians is transforming patient care. Watch the recording today—registration is open!

Pregnant women with OUD face barriers including stigma, childcare demands, provider bias, training gaps, fragmented care, financial and insurance issues, and punitive policies.

Routine pain severity monitoring may provide valuable insight into patient trajectories and support more tailored treatment approaches in OUD.

Pharmacists in several states have recently gained the authority to prescribe for opioid use disorder (OUD). But outdated DEA registration processes were creating roadblocks to pharmacists. AAPP joined other pharmacy associations and states in reaching out, and DEA has responded and agreed to review and update its registration process to reflect pharmacists’ authority under state law. This means fewer barriers for pharmacists and better access to care for patients.

CPE Monitor Plus is an upgraded feature within the ACPE CPE Monitor system that provides you with a more robust and personalized way to manage your professional development. It allows you to access your comprehensive CPE transcript on demand, receive proactive notifications about your license renewal dates, and helps you see how your completed CPE activities align with your specific licensure requirements. The Plus plan is $12 a year.

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

Advance your profession and help drive innovation in psychiatric pharmacy. Over the past year, the AAPP Foundation has awarded over $70,000 in grant funding to support impactful projects that demonstrate the value of psychiatric pharmacists. Help us keep this momentum going. Consider making a donation today. #AAPPFoundation #AdvancingPsychPharmacy

AAPP supports the availability of SSRIs as treatment option for moderate to severe symptoms of perinatal depression and anxiety with appropriate weighing of all risks and benefits. Use AAPP’s policy brief to advocate for this gold-standard treatment.

Practice, practice, practice! The 150-question mock exam lets you test your knowledge, pacing, and endurance before sitting for the BCPP certification exam. #BCPP #AAPP #examprep #psychpharmacy

Happy American Pharmacists Month! Tag a psych pharmacist colleague that you want to celebrate. #psychpharm #APhM2025

The 3/6/25 #JournalClub (2/2) presented "Masked Taper With Behavioral Intervention for Discontinuation of Benzodiazepine Receptor Agonists: A Randomized Clinical Trial." The recording is available free to all AAPP members.

About a third of users say they use it to treat mental or physical health issues.

AAPP supports access to mood stabilizers, including lithium, for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Psychiatric pharmacists are encouraged to use this policy brief to support your own advocacy for this gold-standard treatment.

This free collection of essentials provides resources, references, and clinical pearls for practitioners beginning to practice in psychiatry.

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.

There has been confusion and controversy about the appropriate clinical goals for the use of medications such as methadone and buprenorphine. A key question has been when, if ever, to taper and discontinue medication.

This review aims to describe approaches taken by programs in non-clinical settings by identifying key components of delivery models, implementation barriers and facilitators, and outcomes.

A practical guide for providing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and immediate care for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) in primary care and other ambulatory care settings.

Dr. Raeschell Williams, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP, explains how to discuss illicit or non-prescription drug use with patients.

AAPP supports access to mood stabilizers, including lithium, for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Use AAPP’s policy brief to support your own advocacy for this gold-standard treatment (member only resource).

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

Studying for the BCPP exam? Test your knowledge with our 150-question mock exam! #psychpharmacy #BCPP #AAPP #BPS #boardcertification

Join us as we unravel the complexities of LAIs! Our Advanced LAI Training Program will equip participants with the tools necessary to lead, innovate, and advance LAI patient care and clinic management. #PatientCare #LAIs #psychiatricpharmacy #CE

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

There is a shortage of psychiatric pharmacy providers, and patients have unmet needs that can be filled by these individuals. AAPP's position paper describes the expertise and skills of psychiatric pharmacists and the associated positive outcomes for patients with these disorders. This paper also outlines barriers to the provision of services by psychiatric pharmacists and presents action items aimed at effecting change. Read this position paper to learn more about the value of psychiatric pharmacists as part of the health care team. We hope you will consider exploring psychiatric pharmacy for your career.

The CMS Innovation Center recently released evaluation reports and publications related to the MOM Model, a patient-centered service delivery model that aims to improve the quality of care for pregnant and postpartum Medicaid beneficiaries with opioid use disorder (OUD) and their infants. The reports acknowledge that MOM Model beneficiaries faced complex and overlapping health, behavioral and social challenges that demanded flexible, trauma-informed care. The reports cite promising practices emerging that demonstrate how states can advance integrated care for pregnant and postpartum individuals with opioid use disorder in Medicaid by aligning services with patients’ full range of medical, behavioral and social needs.

AAPP supports the use of antipsychotics as the first line treatment for acute and maintenance treatment of schizophrenia, with individual agent and route of administration selected based on patient-specific factors. Psychiatric pharmacists are encouraged to use this policy brief to support your own advocacy for this gold-standard treatment.

It is time to update the directory of Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency Programs. We want your help to self-identify if you participate in residencies. By adding your information to the site, you can raise the visibility of your program among those with a strong interest in psychiatric pharmacy. NEW fields allow you to include your recruitment open-house information.

AAPP members Michelle Geier, PharmD, APh, BCPP, FAAPP; Michelle Colvard, PharmD, BCPP; and Rebecca Hoss, PharmD, BCPP represented AAPP and psychiatric pharmacy in presenting a session on the important role of psychiatric pharmacists in treating and engaging patients with MOUD. Speakers detailed their practice models and the significant impact they make as psychiatric pharmacists in various settings including in public health, an outpatient SUD clinic, and a hospital system. We appreciate their contributions and advocacy on behalf of psychiatric pharmacy.

Each 30-minute webinar offers a dynamic, peer-driven discussion focused on complex substance use disorder cases. Free to AAPP members! Click the link to learn more and register.

ASAM has expanded its benzodiazepine tapering resource suite to support clinicians and patients.

There are over 700,000 pharmacists, technicians, and student pharmacists, and each one is dedicated to improving public health by providing vital services and keeping their communities safe. We are so proud of our members, and this month we celebrate you!

AAPP supports the use of antipsychotics as the first line treatment for acute and maintenance treatment of schizophrenia. Use AAPP’s policy brief to support your own advocacy for this gold-standard treatment (member only resource).

This toolkit provides a resource for recognizing, understanding, and managing episodes of agitation and forms of aggression encountered in clinical practice.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration initiated the process for a label change for acetaminophen (Tylenol and similar products) to reflect evidence suggesting that the use of acetaminophen by pregnant women may be associated with an increased risk of neurological conditions such as autism and ADHD in children. The agency also issued a related letter alerting physicians nationwide.

AAPP supports access to antidepressants for youth with moderate to severe symptoms of a depressive, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive-based disorder and reconsideration of the boxed warning on new-onset suicidal thoughts/behaviors given its many unintended consequences and role in accelerating stigma. Psychiatric pharmacists are encouraged to use this policy brief to support your own advocacy for this gold-standard treatment.

The value and impact of psychiatric pharmacists takes center stage in this HealthWell Foundation feature article.

In early November, AAPP will be launching a 5.5 hour educational series on clozapine. Grant funded in partnership with the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Alliance, this program seeks to educate clinicians and expand the use of clozapine. News of this grant has also promoted the role of psychiatric pharmacists as seen in this article on HealthWell Foundation’s website. HealthWell is a non-profit that provides financial assistance for insurance and medications for illnesses such as schizophrenia. A special thanks for AAPP President Jolene Bostwick for so eloquently describing the value and impact of psychiatric pharmacists.

AAPP members Michelle Geier, PharmD, APh, BCPP, FAAPP; Michelle Colvard, PharmD, BCPP; and Rebecca Hoss, PharmD, BCPP represented AAPP and psychiatric pharmacy in presenting a session on the important role of psychiatric pharmacists in treating and engaging patients with MOUD. Speakers detailed their practice models and the significant impact they make as psychiatric pharmacists in various settings including in public health, an outpatient SUD clinic, and a hospital system. We appreciate their contributions and advocacy on behalf of psychiatric pharmacy.

Persisting high rates of mental health disorders in patients in opioid agonist treatment—Results from a 6-year longitudinal study

Use of stigmatizing language related to substance use disorders in media: A systematic review

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in County Jails — Outcomes after Release

This study provides the first evidence that CM use in real-world health care settings is associated with reduced risk of mortality.

Richard J. Silvia, PharmD, BCPP discusses ways to communicate risks vs benefits of OTCs in patients with anxiety.

AAPP supports access to antidepressants for youth with moderate to severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or OCD and reconsideration of the suicide boxed warning. Use AAPP’s policy brief to advocate for this gold-standard treatment.

Access valuable psychiatric treatment guideline and clinical pearl resources at AAPP

Collaborative practice agreements permit clinical pharmacists to provide expanded healthcare services to patients. Learn more in this 11-minute video.

Our newly launched, member-protected Policy Statements and Briefs webpage details AAPP’s stance on over 35 topics surrounding access to care, gold standard treatments, and needed policies to support access to care and psychiatric pharmacists. These policy statements are further supported by our advocacy fact sheets and 7 policy briefs, a new set of resources authored by our Rapid Action Task Force. Please check out these new resources and provide your feedback directly from the webpage.

Last week, the Senate passed a reauthorization of the SUPPORT Act in a rare show of bipartisanship. The SUPPORT Act reauthorizes key prevention, treatment and recovery programs for patients with substance use disorder, including programs to support the behavioral health workforce. Among the reauthorized programs are the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Loan Repayment Program, helping bolster the workforce by providing loan repayment opportunities for SUD treatment and recovery providers in the face of severe workforce shortages — as well as critical recovery efforts through the Building Communities of Recovery (BCOR) program and comprehensive opioid recovery centers. The bill now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature.

Initiation and Dose of Methadone Monotherapy vs Combination Therapy, 2015 to 2023

Retention rates and cost-effectiveness of telehealth vs. in-person buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD)

AAPP has elected three members to the 2026-2028 Board of Directors. Congratulations to Drs. Cunningham, Campbell, and DiPaula!

This document features high-level key takeaways from the May 2025 workshop.

AAPP’s free resource document on Methamphetamine Use Disorder provides information on screening, diagnosis, intoxication, withdrawal, treatment, co-occurring psychiatric disorders, special populations, and harm reduction strategies.

Calling all psychiatric pharmacist rising stars. Nominate yourself or others for the AAPP Early Practitioner Award designed to recognizes future leaders within AAPP and Psychiatric Pharmacy. Nominations close 10/1/2025.

During this complimentary, grant-funded webinar, participants will learn about the potential benefits and drawbacks of available PPD treatments – including newer NAS medications. Register today and earn 1 hour of ACPE credit upon webinar completion.

AAPP submitted comments on CMS’s CY 2026 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule, encouraging the agency to strengthen behavioral health integration in primary care, expand telehealth flexibilities, and proceed cautiously with proposed changes to the 340B program.

AAPP’s new policy statements and briefs are rooted in evidence and AAPP’s mission. See how you can use them to advocate.

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.

Exams can be daunting. Let us help! Register for the Developing Effective Test-Taking Skills webinar to sharpen your skills. #BCPP #examprep #psychpharmacy #AAPP

AAPP submitted comments on CMS’s CY 2026 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule, encouraging the agency to strengthen behavioral health integration in primary care, expand telehealth flexibilities, and proceed cautiously with proposed changes to the 340B program. AAPP also responded to an embedded request for information on prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP) requirements and as always, took the opportunity to encourage CMS to recognize psychiatric pharmacists as qualified health care professionals as well as create payment pathways for pharmacist-provided comprehensive medication management.

Carolanne Wartman, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP (she/her) discussing asking, advocating, and creating inclusive environments for LGBTQIA+ patients.

During this complimentary, grant-funded webinar, participants will gain insight into the barriers to effective psychotropic LAI use and explore current research. Register today and earn 1 hour of ACPE credit upon webinar completion.

Approximately 60% of depression is treated in the primary care setting. Psychiatric pharmacists can utilize their knowledge and training to assist primary care providers in treating mental illness. Watch this video to learn more.

The 10/31/24 #JournalClub article 1 presented "Ketamine for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder: Double-blind active-controlled crossover study." The recording is available free to all AAPP members.

AAPP's pharmacist toolkit on Xylazine is intended to highlight both the evidence base available as well as strategies of clinical decision making used by expert clinicians.