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

Integrating mental health clinicians into primary care expands access to quality mental health care. In this setting, psychiatric pharmacists provide brief psychotropic medication management in collaboration with the primary care physician.

Sophie Robert, BPharm, PharmD, BCPP discusses provider concerns and assumptions about patients' use of psychotropics during pregnancy.

The mock exam is composed of 150 questions based on the content domains and knowledge statements included in the BPS content outline. Register today and practice, practice, practice!

This free toolkit on urine drug screens provides reasons for unexpected results, expected metabolites for opiods with confirmation testing, evaluation of urine, and potential positive results with immunoassays and detection time in the urine.

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

AAPP supports funding, access, and delivery of harm reduction services to prevent substance-use related injury, disease, overdose, and misuse. Psychiatric pharmacists are encouraged to use this policy brief to support your own advocacy efforts promoting continued delivery of harm reduction services.

The U.S. administration has continuously chipped away at public health interventions addressing substance use disorders and the opioid crisis, including vital harm-reduction activities.

Unhealthy alcohol use is highly prevalent in the United States, with almost half of all regular consumers reporting binge drinking.

Compared with varenicline alone, combination therapy was associated with statistically significantly higher abstinence rates at the longest follow-up.

The National Council Medical Director Institute (MDI) has released the first-ever standardized performance benchmarks for initiation and continuation of long-acting medications for psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. Past President Jerry McKee represented AAPP on the expert panel while Past President Ray Love contributed as a representative of NASMHPD. Download the MDI report to learn how to implement these benchmarks in your practice.

The helpline is a free, confidential service providing caregiver-led support, tools and strategies, trusted guidance, and connection at every stage of the caregiving journey.

Do you believe psychiatric pharmacists belong on every mental health care team? So do we. Support Outcomes Research Grants that provide the data to make that case. A monthly donation of $1,000 helps fund the next study that changes minds and opens doors. #AAPPFoundation #AdvancingPsychPharmacy

We are proud to partner with the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance to offer a 7-part, on-demand educational series! Each module tackles a core challenge in clozapine care, ranging from adverse effect management to monitoring in the post-REMS era, and use in special populations. Register today and get started!

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

This study examined longer-term health outcomes associated with CM treatment for StUD.

Despite widespread attention to the opioid overdose crisis, alcohol use continues to represent a pressing and under-recognized public health challenge.

GLP-1RAs, traditionally prescribed for glycemic control in T2DM and weight management in obesity, are emerging as promising therapies for ASUDs.

Targeted efforts to enhance patient knowledge of MAUD could be a promising strategy for increasing medication uptake.

In this multicenter randomized clinical trial, RI had higher retention than SI overall and in patients who tested positive for fentanyl through extended-release buprenorphine injection 2.

For the fourth time, remote prescribing of controlled substances will be allowed without permanent policy. The Trump administration appears poised to extend a temporary, Covid-era rule allowing health providers to prescribe certain controlled substances, like ADHD medications and treatments for opioid addiction, via telemedicine. Under the current rules, providers can initiate prescriptions for drugs like Ritalin or Adderall for ADHD, or buprenorphine for opioid use disorder, without first examining the patient in-person. A posting on a White House budget website, titled “Fourth Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications,” signals that the Trump administration has conceded the regulatory limbo will last at least one more year. It is unclear how the Trump administration might eventually move to finalize regulations for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine. Among the most debated issues are whether the DEA should differentiate between Schedule II and Schedule III substances (like Ritalin and buprenorphine, respectively), and more generally, how stimulants used to treat ADHD should be regulated.

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.

Pharmacists practice forensic pharmacy when they care for patients with psychiatric diagnoses who have also been convicted or charged with a crime. The practice settings often include county jails, or state/federal prisons/hospitals or correctional facilities. Pharmacists care for patients in the justice system by reviewing their medication records, making objective/subjective assessments with rating scales and patient interviews, initiating/modifying medication doses, and providing medications-related patient education. Forensic psychiatric pharmacists also can serve as expert witness for lawyers, work for regulatory agencies, or work as a freelance consultant.

Despite widespread health misinformation, 83% of patients still trust their doctors most for medical advice, up from 81% last year.

Clinicians should consider systematically assessing physical function in middle-aged patients who have polypharmacy, to capture physical decline earlier in the lifespan.

This study's findings have implications for disease classification, precision medicine and clinical practice.

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.

An umbrella review of nine systematic reviews published in BMJ shows no link between maternal acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy and autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The study, led by University of Liverpool researchers, involved a review of research published within the past 10 years, up to September 30, 2025, to evaluate the quality and validity of the evidence and the strength of any association between the use of acetaminophen (sold as paracetamol in many countries) during pregnancy and the risks of autism and ADHD. "The current evidence base is insufficient to definitively link in utero exposure to paracetamol with autism and ADHD in childhood," the researchers concluded. "High-quality studies that control for familial and unmeasured confounders can help improve evidence on the timing and duration of paracetamol exposure, and for other child neurodevelopmental outcomes." They recommended that regulatory agencies, clinicians, pregnant women, parents, and those affected by autism and ADHD be informed about the poor quality of the existing reviews and the likelihood that any positive associations were driven by familial confounding.

Toolkit on Alcohol Use Disorder with quick tips and guideline summaries: Screening/Diagnosis, Alcohol Withdrawal, Maintenance Treatment of AUD, Special Populations and Treatment, Co-occurring Disorders, Harm Reduction Strategies, Resources and References.

Through expert guidance, participants will refine their presentation skills and learn how to captivate audiences. This 2-hour program with ACPE credit provides a unique opportunity to gain practical tools to elevate speaking abilities, enhance your expertise and confidence, and make you a standout voice in the field of psychiatric pharmacy. Don't miss this opportunity to learn!

Dr. Kelly Gable, PharmD, BCPP, gives tips on starting a new practice.

This 2-hour webinar focuses on developing appropriate techniques for answering standardized questions more accurately, identifying common issues in testing that may be hurting your performance, and analyzing your testing performance to improve accuracy, pacing, and endurance. Level up your test-taking skills!

In the past year, the AAPP Foundation has awarded over $70,000 in grant funding and project support. These funds have supported initiatives that expand practice, build evidence, and improve psychiatric pharmacy services. Join us in sustaining this critical work. #AAPPFoundation #AdvancingPsychPharmacy

AAPP and the AAPP Foundation are pleased to be offering a complimentary, 2-hour workshop: Cultivating Expertise: Enhancing Presentation Design and Speaker Development in Psychiatric Pharmacists. Earn ACPE credit and make yourself a standout voice in the field of psychiatric pharmacy!

To address provider cash-flow issues resulting from the expiration of Medicare telehealth flexibilities on Oct. 1, CMS announced Nov. 6 that they will return affected claims submitted on or before Nov. 10 and enable providers to resubmit them with expanded coding that clearly demonstrates eligibility under current law. CMS has been processing claims where eligibility is clear (e.g., behavioral/mental health or specified HCPCS codes), but systems limitations have prevented identification of all payable claims, including some ACO services and behavioral health claims without specific diagnosis codes. To address this, CMS will return held telehealth claims submitted on or before November 10, 2025, for dates of service on or after October 1, 2025. Providers can resubmit these claims following statutory requirements. Providers are directed to updated instructions on the CMS website for resubmission guidance.

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 2026 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule was released late last week by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). The rule makes direct supervision via telehealth permanent for many services. Additionally, it extends audio-only flexibilities for certain non-behavioral health visits through December 31, 2026. It also proposes new add-on codes for behavioral health integration services within Advanced Primary Care Management (APCM) programs. Please note that the rule does retains some COVID-19-era telehealth restrictions, such as the originating site requirement for certain services. We are pleased that these final provisions overall reflect AAPP’s comments to strengthen behavioral health integration in primary care and expand telehealth flexibilities.

AAPP joined more than 450 organizations in pushing congressional leaders to reinstate lapsed telehealth flexibilities for the long term. Lawmakers have been providing temporary extensions to telehealth policies that, among other flexibilities, allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive medical care in their homes. The policies started during the Covid-19 pandemic, and Congress continued them but never made them permanent. “This cycle of temporary fixes has resulted in patients and providers facing continued disruptions in care,” the groups, co-led by the Alliance for Connected Care, wrote to House and Senate leaders.

AAPP members Andrew Hean, PharmD, APh, BCPS, BCPP, and Winter Roth, PharmD, BCPP, authored this article in the Journal of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

Every dollar helps move the profession forward. AAPP Foundation grants support outcomes research, practice expansion, DEI initiatives, and student development—all of which contribute to better care and stronger teams. Give back to move forward. #AAPPFoundation #AdvancingPsychPharmacy

See Employer Benefits by Supporting AAPP Volunteerism "The knowledge gained has been used to change local prescribing policies. My connections provide access to people within the AAPP community with expertise in areas outside my experience." Michael Shuman

Approximately 13 percent of counties had more than half their population living in an area facing a pharmacy shortage last year, according to the National Community Pharmacists. The new data coincides with the NCPA and USC’s launch of the first public mapping tool tracking pharmacy shortage areas and closures over time by state, county and congressional district. AAPP, other pharmacy groups and academics warn that the closures, sometimes the only points of personalized care in communities, could make it more difficult to manage chronic disease, access vaccinations and strain the pharmacy profession.