News and Insights for Psychiatric Pharmacists

#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

Momentum continued throughout 2025 in the areas of grant support, practitioner development, and sponsorship! View our 2025 Annual Report to see the impact. Thank you to the incredible donors who support this important work.

Collegiate Chapter Impact Grant recipients will share their grant-funded projects during the Collegiate Chapter Meeting on Sunday, 4/19! Join chapter representatives in the Cedar Ballroom from 4:45-5:15 PM Pacific Time. Presentations will not be livestreamed; however, they will be recorded and posted for those unable to attend live. Thank you to our donors for helping us continue this important grant program with your monetary gifts.

Thanks to generous AAPP Foundation donors and the AAPP Past Presidents' Destiny Fund, 33 PharmD students were awarded full, in-person student registration grants to AAPP 2026! Congratulations to each of the recipients and enjoy your time in Seattle!

In this year’s report, OCP celebrates its 30th anniversary, showcasing the Office’s contributions to the evolution of clinical pharmacology into a foundational pillar of drug development and regulatory review by enhancing efficacy and safety evaluations through rigorous, collaborative, and state-of-the-art approaches.

US adults likely have heterogenous views on addiction, and more research is needed to further understand how US adults conceptualize addiction.

In this study, SROM for OUD was associated with slightly higher treatment discontinuation risk than methadone but similar mortality risk, suggesting either medication may be appropriate alongside measures to support retention.

Stimulant-induced psychosis occurs in both therapeutic and nontherapeutic contexts but at vastly different prevalence rates.

While both PWUF and clinicians identified precipitated withdrawal as a major concern when initiating buprenorphine, it was just one of many barriers.

This paper provides an overview of SED, including the role of functional impairment in identifying youth with SED and the important developmental considerations.

The xylazine toolkit, intended to highlight the evidence base available and strategies of clinical decision making, was recently updated by AAPP member Sarah Thomason to include sections on regulatory status, laboratory testing and wound care.

National Volunteer Week coincides with AAPP 2026 in Seattle but we don’t want that to detract from celebrating our amazing volunteers. So, we are saying our thank yous a week early. Every year, approximately 215 members contribute their time and talent to AAPP as members of committees, the Board of Directors, task forces, and editorial boards. This doesn’t include the countless other members who write, speak, represent AAPP at meetings, and much more. Though we celebrate our member volunteers year-round, we want to give extra recognition and a thank you to our volunteers in advance of National Volunteer Week. Cheers to our AAPP volunteers!

AAPP joined numerous other Mental Health Liaison Group member organizations in expressing strong coalition support for the introduction and swift passage of legislation to remove the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric treatment for Medicare beneficiaries.

The CURESZ Foundation (Comprehensive Understanding via Research and Education into SchiZophrenia) founded by Bethany Yeiser and Dr. Henry Nasarallah has assembled a Clozapine in Schizophrenia Expert Panel (CLOSZE). The goal is to assist individuals living with schizophrenia and/or caregivers in finding a clinician who can assist them in trying clozapine. AAPP encourages psychiatric pharmacists to sign up for the registry so that patients/caregivers can outreach to establish ongoing care.

This report provides a guide to publicly accessible data sources to support research and improve data-driven decision-making for individuals dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare.

State Medicaid expansions from 2017 to 2023 increased access to medication treatment for opioid use disorder at a time when fatal overdoses were continuing to climb, researchers wrote in JAMA Network Open. That means coverage expansions can significantly affect uptake of addiction medicine like buprenorphine. The findings could be important for state governments wrestling with reductions in federal Medicaid spending.

Dr. Yelena Lugin, PharmD, BCPP, provides tips on telehealth services.

Expand availability to clozapine for those living with schizophrenia. Register now for the CURESZ Foundation Clozapine Panel!

The treatment of cannabis use disorder, special populations and co-occurring disorders as well as harm reduction strategies are also addressed in the toolkit.

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!

The CDC and White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) issued an advisory to notify the public about increasing reports detecting medetomidine in the illegal drug supply causing withdrawal syndrome. Medetomidine is used for sedation and analgesia in dogs but is not approved for human use. Medetomidine can cause sedation, bradycardia, and hypotension and stopping it after regular use may lead to severe withdrawal.

As AI chatbots become more widely used, questions are emerging about how they may affect mental health.

Fewer than half of outpatient facilities for substance use disorder accept Medicare, according to a new HHS report. But low reimbursement rates and difficulty finding mental health workers factor into clinics' ability to care for older adults who need behavioral health care, the report found.

These papers call on state leaders to refocus on SMI and serious emotional disturbances (SED) treatment and recovery— and to renew their commitment to system changes in improving whole-person health.

The primary outcome was change in Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) score.

Evidence suggests that patients who lose a primary care physician experience higher emergency department use.

Nicotine vaping is likely to cause lung and oral cancers, a comprehensive review of more than 100 studies has concluded. According to the analysis, human and animal studies, as well as cell experiments looking at the effects of chemicals found in vape liquid, all point toward carcinogenicity. Those studies, published since 2017, record "increasing concern", the researchers report.

These findings suggest that PAT is no more effective than TADs under equal-unblinding conditions for the treatment of depression and highlight the potential role of blinding integrity.

Further research is needed to better characterize kratom’s mechanisms of liver injury and to inform clinical decision-making and public health policy.

These findings provide evidence-based guidance for treatment duration, realistic expectation-setting, and individualized prognosis determination in cannabis use disorder recovery.

The primary study outcomes were ROI ratios and net profits after 3 years in operation.

The Veteran's Health Administration (VHA) is the nation's largest integrated healthcare system. Hear Traci Turner, Pharm.D., BCPP share her experience as an outpatient clinical pharmacist at the VA.

Protect people. Protect communities. #choosepsychpharmacy #pharmd #psychpharm #AAPP

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!

This white paper offers practical recommendations for health care leaders, policymakers, peer support programs, and individuals and families, and covers workforce development, program infrastructure, outreach, outcome measurement and policy reform.

Lessons from 10 FORE Grantees that have expanded access to prevention, treatment, and recovery supports in rural communities.

This Recovery Research Institute summary highlights a cross-sectional analysis of National Survey on Drug Use and Health data showing.

The current evidence base is not sufficient to support the use of cannabis for the treatment of mental health conditions and demonstrates substantial risks of adverse effects.

In this study, the volume of patients treated with buprenorphine increased after private equity acquisition, with minimal changes in the payer mix among these patients.

The colorful packaging and fruity flavors that make nicotine pouches appealing to adults also make them tempting — and dangerous — for kids.

The Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights announced a new civil enforcement program to protect the confidentiality of SUD records for individuals under 42 CFR Part 2. This initiative allows for resolution agreements, monetary settlements, and corrective action plans aligned with HIPAA enforcement standards to address noncompliance and breach notifications.

Dr. Troy Moore, PharmD, MS, BCPP, discusses how to incorporate research into clinical practice post-residency.

AAPP joined 39 other organizations in supporting the POINTS Act. This Act addresses the gambling addiction crisis by allocating federal funding into a competitive, discretionary grant program under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The grant program will support States and Tribal entities in their efforts to establish, improve, or expand programs to prevent, screen, intervene and treat problem gambling and gambling addiction in the U.S. Utilizing 1/3rd of the existing federal excise tax on wagers paid by the gambling industry, the grant program will prioritize those populations most vulnerable to gambling addiction, including men, youth, Native Americans, servicemembers, and veterans. The POINTS Act allows funding for both community and statewide prevention, intervention, and treatment activities including providing specialized outpatient treatment, peer-support, awareness, and other evidence-based interventions to help those in need.

Burnout continues to affect a large portion of the workforce, impacting well-being, job satisfaction, and day-to-day life at work. The 2026 NAMI Workplace Mental Health Poll highlights how common these experiences are—and why support matters. The data also points to what employees say could help, including more access to mental health resources and training around stress and burnout.

A large, new study found that the stimulant methylphenidate, such as the drugs Ritalin and Concerta, may lower the risk of psychosis when prescribed to younger children with ADHD.

A growing proportion of antipsychotic prescriptions for older adults were written by nonphysician clinicians, reflecting shifts in the mental health care workforce and prescribing practices, cross-sectional data showed. From 2013 to 2023, antipsychotic prescription claims for Medicare Part D beneficiaries written by psychiatrists and primary care physicians (PCPs) declined annually by 3.2% and 2.6%, respectively (P<0.001 for both). Prescriptions from advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs), however, rose by 11.8% (P<0.001) each year, reported researchers.

Between 4.9 and 10.1 million people could lose Medicaid coverage in 2028 as the result of new work requirements and more frequent eligibility checks.

AAPP joined the American Society of Addiction Medicine, ASHP, and other healthcare associations in a letter to Representative Houchin encouraging revisions to H.R. 5629 which would increase overdoses and reduce access to evidence-based OUD care, especially in rural areas. We argue that, if enacted as currently drafted, the bill would result in more opioid overdoses, because fewer people would get methadone treatment for OUD, with no improvement in safety for our communities.

These findings emphasize the role of social support and integrated treatment in fostering recovery and inform the design of individualized university recovery programs.

PolySU was pervasive among young people entering AOD treatment.

The primary and key secondary outcomes were illicit opioid abstinence during pregnancy and the postpartum period, respectively, defined as the proportion of weekly collected urine samples negative for illicit opioids.

Results indicate the potential of PrR to capture gradual improvements in quality of life and reflect recovery progress.

This commentary discusses how a sensitive and validated assessment is crucially needed to identify those at risk for intentional opioid overdose.

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!

Toolkit on harm reduction provides tips and guideline summaries in the following areas: consequences of injection drug use, harm reduction services, activities, policies, stigma, potential barriers, professional/policy support, resources, and data sources.

Join us for an industry showcase: Managing Depressive, Acute Manic & Mixed Episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder In Adults, supported by AbbVie. Registration is free and open to the public!

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!

If you're unable to travel to Seattle for the Annual Meeting, join us virtually to participate in live sessions! Virtual attendees can ask questions and participate during sessions, and all registrants will receive session recordings for all CE sessions. Plan to attend and stay up to date on your education!

Better days start here. #choosepsychpharmacy #pharmd #psychpharm #AAPP

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.

Join us for an industry showcase: Challenges in Achieving Symptom Control in Major Depressive Disorder: Considering Adjunctive Treatment Options, supported by Johnson & Johnson. Registration is free and open to the public!

AAPP supports the funding of federal programs directed toward tobacco cessation and outlines specific policy recommendations as to the federal funding programs critical to maintain for individuals living with mental health and/or substance use disorders.

AAPP is a member of a pharmacy‑based vaccine access work group composed of national pharmacy organizations. The work group is conducting a survey to gather insights into vaccination practices since June 2025. Feedback will support pharmacy organizations in their advocacy and education efforts. If applicable to your practice, please complete the survey, available through March 31, 2026.

Pharmacists play a variety of roles in academia: as administrators (e.g., deans, department chairs, etc.), educators, clinical practitioners, and researchers. Often a faculty member plays more than one role, depending on their track (non-tenure versus tenure) and department (pharmaceutical sciences versus pharmacy practice).

This review discusses mechanisms that contribute to negative outcomes after mTBI and hazardous alcohol use and to the development of AUD after mTBI.

The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) is now accepting applications for the 2027 BPS Ambassador Program. Board-certified pharmacists interested can apply until June 12, 2026.

AAPP supports access to evidence-based monitoring for youth prescribed antipsychotics and updates to child and adolescent psychotropic prescribing regulations.

As part of the planning for the future of DSM, the Biomarkers and Biological Factors Subcommittee of the Future DSM Strategic Committee was empaneled to begin to bridge the gap between psychiatry and neuroscience and move DSM toward a psychiatric nosological system informed by objective measures.

Survey data suggest that prevalence of cigarette smoking among U.S. adults declined 2023 to 2024.

Join us for an industry showcase: The Role of UZEDY in Schizophrenia Treatment: A Clinical Perspective, supported by Teva Pharmaceuticals. Registration is free and open to the public!

Mental health = team sport. #choosepsychpharmacy #pharmd #psychpharm #AAPP

AAPP President Jolene Bostwick talks about the future and our new strategic plan.

This cohort study found that OPC opening was not associated with significant changes in local economic activity.

A meta-analysis of children and teens found social media use was tied to higher rates of depression, behavioral problems, self-injury, and substance use. (JAMA Pediatrics)

Rising temperatures could trigger over a billion additional "symptom-days" of anxiety and depression annually in the U.S., researchers projected. (Lancet Planetary Health)

Genetics play a role in risk of suicide attempt but do not fully explain the sex differences in incidence, a Swedish cohort study found. (BMJ Mental Health)

On March 19 from 4:00-5:30 PM ET NAMI will host this presentation to provide an overview of catatonia and discuss the various potential causes of catatonia, as well as the many different ways in which the syndrome may manifest.

Data suggest that prevalence of cigarette smoking among U.S. adults declined from 10.8% of the population in 2023 to 9.9% in 2024.

MHFA training in pharmacy professionals is an effective intervention to promote mental health support, increase awareness, reduce stigma, and equip participants to make linkages.

Dr. Taylor Nichols, PharmD, BCPP, explains how to embrace harm reduction.

In this cross-sectional study, US adults with IDDs experienced substantially higher rates of mental health conditions, treatment use, and cost-related barriers compared with those without functional impairments.

These resources provide practical toolkits and clinical guidance.

These findings provide a framework for the long-term evaluation of intervention programs and guiding health care resource allocation to reduce adolescent alcohol consumption.

Removal of transmucosal buprenorphine PA requirements for Kentucky Medicaid enrollees was associated with a significant immediate increase in buprenorphine dispensing for OUD treatment.

Emerging evidence suggests novel OAT induction strategies for fentanyl-related OUD are feasible and show a consistent direction toward positive clinical and safety outcomes.

NAMI has relaunched its #Vote4MentalHealth campaign for the 2026 elections. This nonpartisan campaign is part of NAMI’s long-standing efforts to help people across the country understand that voting and mental health are closely intertwined and find the resources and information they need to cast their ballot. NAMI urges voters to take the pledge to #Vote4MentalHealth, which is a commitment to do one thing: understand how your vote impacts mental health. After taking the pledge, people can learn about the issues, share why they #Vote4MentalHealth, register to vote or update their registration, request an absentee ballot, find their polling place and more — all at vote4mentalhealth.org.

Active theta-burst stimulation beat sham stimulation at reducing depression scores by week 12 -- but not by week 6 -- in people with late-life depression, a randomized clinical trial showed. (American Journal of Psychiatry)

While the majority of patients with first-episode psychosis respond to initial treatment with oral risperidone or amisulpride, clozapine appeared to be the best next step for non-responders in a sequential trial. (JAMA Psychiatry)

Stimulant prescriptions for ADHD surged in adults during the COVID pandemic, a Canadian study found. (CMAJ)

The new platform provides for analyzing adverse event reports.

The Stigma Unraveled/Addiction Unmasked interprofessional workshop prompted meaningful and statistically significant changes in participant beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge.

Policy interventions and pharmacist advocacy are needed to alleviate challenges.

CPPs provided MOUD care that was safe and effective and outcomes were comparable to physicians and nurse practitioners.

The pharmacist-led intervention more than doubled the pharmacologic treatment rate for AUD in primary care.

A dedicated Pain Management CPS with a focus on addiction medicine provides significant clinical and financial value in the inpatient setting.

This blog series by the Resident and New Practitioner Committee is targeted to psychiatric pharmacists seeking their first or a new position. This blog explores opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry.

This study's findings suggest an association between fluoroquinolones and increased risk of panic attacks.

Join us for an industry showcase: Tardive Dyskinesia: Considerations in the Pharmacy Setting, supported by Teva Pharmaceuticals! Registration is free and open to the public!

Toolkit with tips and guideline summaries on opioid use disorder: screening, diagnosis, withdrawal, medications for treatment, overdose prevention education/treatment, special populations, co-occurring disorders, harm reduction strategies, and references.

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

Join us for an industry showcase: A Critical Moment in Schizophrenia Care: The Inpatient Opportunity, supported by Bristol Myers Squibb! Registration is free and open to the public!

Not boring science. Smart + creative. #choosepsychpharmacy #pharmd #psychpharm #AAPP

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

Psychiatric pharmacists can be effective members of the healthcare team because they treat the whole patient and understand medications beyond the scope of mental illness. Watch this video and learn more about the psychiatric pharmacy specialty!

Last fall, Washington and other Western states issued their own vaccine recommendations in a sharp rejection of federal policy that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has upended. And on Thursday, the Washington Legislature passed legislation to change state law so that vaccine coverage is tied to recommendations from the state, not a federal panel filled with Kennedy appointees.

AAPP joined the Advanced Professional Workforce Alliance (APWA) and other organizations to comment on the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The letter expresses concerns regarding the proposed definition of “professional degrees” in relation to other graduate degree programs. The concern is that the proposed framework and definition of “professional degrees” does not encompass the range of programs that fit the professional designation. Additionally, AAPP believes the definition change may severely impact individuals being able to join the behavioral health workforce where staffing shortages already exist.

This blog series by the Resident and New Practitioner Committee is targeted to psychiatric pharmacists seeking their first or a new position. This blog explores opportunities in academia.

Use of GLP-1 receptor agonists was consistently associated with reduced risks of developing various incident SUDs, suggesting a broad preventive effect across multiple substance types.

Psych pharmacists stand up for the unseen. That’s powerful. #choosepsychpharmacy #pharmd #psychpharm #AAPP

AAPP's newest member profile showcases psychiatric pharmacist impact through a psychotropic stewardship program demonstrating optimization of medication therapy for high-risk and clinically complex patients.

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.

Kennedy has continued to spread misinformation and push politicised agendas at the expense of the country’s most vulnerable.

The AAPP Residents and New Practitioners Committee is pleased to provide a suggested reading list of the top references as a service and as a forum for member discussion. Consider these resources as a foundation for your reference library.

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

In our newest member profile showcasing psychiatric pharmacist impact, learn how Dr. Kesoma Holcomb worked with her health system to create an opioid and psychotropic stewardship program that continues to optimize medication therapy for high-risk and clinically complex patients who are medically ill and have co-occurring mental health and chronic pain conditions.

The toolkit outlines strategies for promoting early identification and intervention, improving access through service coordination and integration, and building workforce capacity to meet children’s behavioral health needs. It also provides an overview of key behavioral health services and models of care, along with resources to support state implementation of EPSDT requirements.

NAMI has worked with experts to create 23 flexible lessons about mental health literacy for middle school classrooms. Supporting early intervention is one of the best ways to address the youth mental health crisis. Learn more and ask your local schools to add mental health literacy to their curriculum.

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.

A randomized clinical trial of 59 male participants with opioid use disorder found that those receiving 10 supervised yoga sessions over 14 days alongside standard buprenorphine treatment had achieved withdrawal stabilization 4.4 times faster than controls, with median stabilization occurring in five days compared to nine.

A study that surveyed college students tested whether alcohol and cannabis co-use and cannabis use characteristics (frequency and quantity) relate to different levels of heavy drinking. Heavy drinking was more common on co-use days than alcohol-only days (33% higher odds of heavy episodic and 52% higher odds of high-intensity vs. moderate).

A research summary from the Recovery Research Institute highlights a Phase 2 randomized clinical trial testing the efficacy of heart rate variability biofeedback, a breathing-based intervention, in reducing stress-related craving and substance use among people in remission.

A majority of participants supported psychedelics as a treatment and would accept receiving psychedelics as a treatment.

New research published in JAMA Network Open found a correlation between China’s crackdowns on illicit fentanyl precursor chemicals and the recent decline in U.S. overdose deaths, suggesting that Chinese regulatory enforcement may have disrupted the supply chain driving the opioid crisis.

In this survey study of clinician-reported problems initiating BUP treatment, clinicians working in high-volume noninpatient settings reported more problems initiating BUP in patients using fentanyl, and many reported changing their clinical practices in response to these problems.

Through this Consensus Statement, the Task Force identified circumstances in which the selective elimination of certain psychotropic medications may be clinically indicated.

The Brookings Institution released a white paper examining how the Drug Enforcement Administration’s quota and inventory controls impact certain drug shortages.

Three updated KFF analyses examine the latest trends in deaths from opioid overdoses, suicide and alcohol, using newly released final data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Psych pharmacists explain meds. Patients take control. #choosepsychpharmacy #pharmd #psychpharm #AAPP

The board of pharmacy specialties identifies pharmacists who are qualified for advanced practice based on rigorous standards. Learn more about the path to becoming a board certified psychiatric pharmacist (BCPP).

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

This blog series by the Resident and New Practitioner Committee is targeted to psychiatric pharmacists seeking their first or a new position. This blog explores opportunities in community health systems.

This free Comprehensive Medication Management (CMM) guide provides webinars introducing CMM and helpful tools for implementing CMM.

Struggling ➝ stable ➝ thriving. Psych pharmacists make it happen. #choosepsychpharmacy #pharmd #psychpharm #AAPP

"Pharmacy school taught us how to manage complex pharmacotherapy, but it did not teach us how to budget, navigate major financial decisions, or invest. These are the financial lessons I wish I learned earlier in my career, because even a little awareness from the start can prevent a lot of stress later."

AAPP recently published a statement of support for plaintiffs in American Academy of Pediatrics et al. v. Kennedy Jr., et al. Login to read the support letter and to see all recent comment letters.

In AAPP's two new practice setting videos, Jacqueline Parizher, PharmD, reviews her role and impact as an outreach pharmacist working on the ground with individuals living with substance use disorders while Kesoma Holcomb, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP, explains her role in combining internal medicine with opioid and psychotropic stewardship.

AAPP is pleased to announce an additional AAPP Student Chapter bringing the total number of student chapters to 48! University of Florida, advised by AAPP member John Markowitz, PharmD, is the newest student chapter. Congratulations and welcome to AAPP Collegiate Chapter at University of Florida!

"One of the most important lessons I have learned is that professional development does not depend on having a specific title or years of clinical experience but instead depends on early intention and curiosity."

Mental Health Clinician (MHC) is a valuable resource for psychiatric practitioners and researchers and contributors are key to its success. Please visit the linked MHC webpage to recognize all of the individuals honored.

These results suggest that overdose prevention centers are cost-saving upstream interventions to mitigate injection-related infections and hospitalizations.

In this retrospective analysis of a large EHR dataset, they found that following the elimination of the X-waiver, the incidence of new OUD diagnoses declined by 2%, while subsequent buprenorphine initiation increased by 14%.

These findings suggest that health systems can use this favorable incremental cost per quit and transparent cost estimation to promote wider implementation of the intervention.

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.

The report and webinar examine current approaches to integrating SUD prevention with physical health care at the state level including implementation, financing, partnerships, challenges, and support needs, particularly for adolescents, and where states are in the implementation of services. Expanding access to Preventing substance misuse, abuse, and addiction is one of the core strategic priorities for SAMHSA and aligns closely with the Make America Healthy Again initiative.

Pharmacist education includes patient assessment, differential diagnosis, laboratory testing, drug administration and prescribing.

This study found that barriers and facilitators to LDI completion were linked to five COM-B model components: physical capability, physical opportunity, social opportunity, reflective motivation, and automatic motivation.

Nearly 200 abstracts will be featured at the AAPP 2026 Annual Meeting. Posters will be displayed Monday, April 20-Tueday, April 21, 2026. Congratulations to the eight (8) award finalists in the running for five AAPP research awards in 2026. Award finalists will present their abstracts during the platform presentations on Sunday, April 19, at AAPP 2026. Winners for all categories will be announced on Monday, April 20, 2026.

Every brain = different. Psych pharmacists customize the treatment plan. #choosepsychpharmacy #pharmd #psychpharm #AAPP

The AAPP Foundation is pleased to announce Melanie Rovelo, PharmD, as the 2026 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Travel Grant recipient.

Findings indicate that the male to female ratio for ASD has decreased over time and with increasing age at diagnosis.

The National Community Pharmacists Association has summarized the federal reforms to pharmacy benefit manager practices signed into law via the recent funding bill signed by President Trump. The measures are contained in a bill to fund the Department of Health and Human Services. The new law requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to define and enforce “reasonable and relevant” Medicare Part D contract terms, and gives enforcement authority; promotes transparency by allowing CMS to track payment trends to pharmacies and pharmacy inclusion in PBM networks, including a new designation of essential retail pharmacies; and prohibits PBM compensation in Medicare Part D from being tied to the manufacturer’s list price of a drug in an effort to reduce drug prices and save money for taxpayers.

Zoe A. Karavolis, PharmD, MPH, BCPP and Aaron Salwan, PharmD, MPH, BCPP are the recipients of the first AAPP Early Practitioner Award which recognizes the efforts of psychiatric pharmacists in the first 5 years of practice. Drs. Karavolis and Salwan have demonstrated commitment to AAPP and its mission and contributed to the advancement of psychiatric pharmacy practice through research, publications, presentations, mentoring, and the development of new psychiatric pharmacy practices or programs.

Science that helps people. That’s the job of a psych pharmacist. #choosepsychpharmacy #pharmd #psychpharm #AAPP

This blog series by the Resident and New Practitioner Committee is targeted to psychiatric pharmacists seeking their first or a new position. Throughout the spring of 2026, this series will feature interviews with hiring managers in various types of settings.

High-dose antipsychotic use and APP was common in this U.S. state psychiatric hospital.

Since the FDA ended the Clozapine REMS last February, some clinicians have embraced new Delphi guidelines that reduce monitoring frequency—while access to the medication has remained limited.

A reanalysis of the data revealed errors and failed to replicate the results.

Thanks to generous AAPP Foundation donors and the AAPP Past Presidents' Destiny Fund, 33 PharmD students were awarded full, in-person student registration grants to AAPP 2026! Congratulations to each of the recipients.

This commentary explores implications for addiction treatment.

At the 9.6 g dose, iSTEP-N provided sustained therapeutic naltrexone exposure for 12 weeks with a favorable safety profile, while releasing less than one-fourth of its drug content.

Receipt of inpatient MOUD was associated with a statistically significant reduction in PDD among those with OUD and without evidence of MOUD before admission when compared with propensity-matched admissions which did not receive inpatient MOUD.

Policies supporting MAUD-providing facilities may be needed to address persistent gaps in access.

This toolkit provides tips and guidance in the following areas of Buprenorphine Initiation: Buprenorphine Treatment, Traditional Buprenorphine Initiation, Low Dose Overlap Initiation, Special Populations, Harm Reduction, Helpful Resources, and References

Psychiatric pharmacists can be involved in a number of clinical services involving therapy modification that is stated within a collaborative practice agreement with a physician. This may include initiating/monitoring/continuing/adjusting medications, injection services, device management, side effect management, and laboratory follow-up. These models can align incentives for patients, providers and payors that improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

Have you considered starting a new PGY-2 Psychiatric Pharmacy residency program at your facility but have no idea where to begin? Here are some considerations and starting points to help the process feel less overwhelming.

Check out AAPP's newest policy brief stating our support for the evidence-based treatment of autism spectrum disorder based on an accurate assessment of the available data.

AAPP issues policy recommendations supporting access to psychiatric pharmacy care for foster care youth. AAPP urges each state to include BCPP(s) on the foster care team and state DUR committees and urges CMS to provide best practice guidance to states.

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

Findings suggest that patient characteristics associated with buprenorphine initiation may differ by health care setting. However, retention among subgroups of patients appears similar across settings.

AAPP has recently released a summary of recommended policy actions to support access to trauma-informed care for all youth in foster care and access to psychotropics for those with co-occurring mental health conditions. Additionally, the recommendations call for updates to foster care psychotropic prescribing regulations. Policy recommendations urge that each state include BCPP(s) on the foster care team as well as on any state DUR committee. AAPP additionally urges CMS to provide guidance to states on best practices, including increasing support for collaborative telemedicine services. Please distribute this policy ask as you engage in your own advocacy.

Check out AAPP's newest policy brief stating our support for the evidence-based treatment of autism spectrum disorder based on an accurate assessment of the available data.

Findings suggest that patient characteristics associated with buprenorphine initiation may differ by health care setting. However, retention among subgroups of patients appears similar across settings.

These findings suggest that the US public continues to view opioid overdose as a serious and stigmatized condition.

Peer reviewing is not just for senior clinicians and academics. When you peer review, you are participating in an important gatekeeping role...and the endeavor is a worthy one.

AAPP joined with fellow members of the Pharmacy-Based Vaccine Access Work Group to support the importance of vaccines and the role of the pharmacist.

Understand common myths about nicotine and smoking cessation through AAPP’s toolkit.

This blog series by the Resident and New Practitioner Committee is targeted to psychiatric pharmacists seeking their first or a new position. Throughout the spring of 2026, this series will feature interviews with hiring managers in various types of settings.

This blog series by the Resident and New Practitioner Committee is targeted to psychiatric pharmacists seeking their first or a new position. Throughout the spring of 2026, this series will feature interviews with hiring managers in various types of settings.

Dr. Amy VandenBerg, PharmD, BCPP, discusses how to manage drug-seeking behavior.

Check out AAPP’s newest toolkit dedicated to dispelling myths about nicotine and smoking cessation. A special thanks to authors Danial Chowdhury, Michael Kotlyar, Annette Percy, Raeschell Williams, and Zoe Karavolis.

This pharmacist toolkit provides quick tips on an overview, HCV medications quick references, drug interactions of Hepatitis C Virus treatments, and references.

New data are emerging, but by no means definitive, that alcohol consumption and binge drinking among adults in the United States (US) have begun a recent decline just in the past 2 to 3 years.

The concept of addiction, traditionally confined to substances such as drugs and alcohol, has expanded to encompass behavioral patterns such as compulsive eating

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!

Thirty Fellows have been selected to the second class of FAAPPs. The AAPP Fellows Program recognizes members who have demonstrated excellence in advancing the practice of psychiatric pharmacy and distinguished themselves in advancing the mission and goals of AAPP, thereby promoting public awareness of the profession.

Here are 10 recent scientific developments.

Learn the workings of a career in academia from Shari Allen, Pharm.D., BCPP!

Despite strong training, new psychiatric pharmacists will encounter challenging trainees throughout their career. Here are 5 guidelines to prevent rotation problems.

#AAPP2026 Spotlight: Psychiatric and Neurologic Medication Pipeline, presented by Stephen R. Saklad, PharmD, BCPP. In this session, participants will learn about therapeutic advances in new and emerging psychiatric and neurologic medications and how these agents fit into current 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

Current evidence does not indicate a clinically important increase in the likelihood of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or intellectual disability in children of pregnant individuals who use paracetamol as directed, supporting existing recommendations on its safety.

Founding member and Past President Julie Dopheide, PharmD, BCPP has been named the recipient of the Warren E. Weaver/Richard P. Penna Award from the Board of Pharmacy Specialties. This award is for individual persons recognized for having made outstanding voluntary contributions to the advancement of BPS board certification of pharmacists. As noted by Tien M.H. Ng, PharmD, BCPS, FHFSA, FACC, FCCP, “Dr. Dopheide was among the leaders who worked toward getting psychiatric pharmacy approved as a recognized BPS specialty back in the early 1990’s,” and she has “maintained her certification continuously, and has enthusiastically promoted the value of board certification locally and nationally.” Congratulations Julie!

These findings add to the growing international literature highlighting how drug policy contradicts expert assessments of drug harms across nations.

Varenicline has demonstrated efficacy in supporting e-cigarette cessation, whereas the current evidence for NRT and cytisine remains insufficient to draw firm conclusions.

In this randomized clinical trial including 436 participants with moderate to severe opioid use disorder, both the 100-mg and 300-mg maintenance doses improved opioid abstinence and were well tolerated without any new safety signals. In post hoc analyses, the 300-mg dose performed better than the 100-mg dose among participants who used fentanyl daily, 14 times or more per week, or both.

In this survey study, the majority of 396 clinicians surveyed (72.0%) reported encountering problems initiating buprenorphine treatment among patients using fentanyl in the past year, and 67.3% reported modifying their standard induction protocols.

#AAPP2026 Spotlight: The Bup Bulletin: Navigating Updates to Prescribing, presented by Lindsey Garner, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, BCPP. Treatment guidelines for psychiatric and neurologic conditions continue to advance, impacting how care is delivered and requiring psychiatric pharmacists to stay alert to new evidence. Psychiatric pharmacists will gain actionable insights to inform pharmacologic decision-making and confidently integrate new recommendations into everyday 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: Differences in Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI), Passive and Active Suicidal Ideation, presented by Ashley Perkins, PharmD. Accurately distinguishing between non-suicidal self-injury, passive suicidal ideation, and active suicidal ideation is essential for effective suicide risk assessment and intervention. This session will clarify key definitions, explore the clinical differences between these behaviors and thought patterns, and highlight evidence-based screening tools used to identify and respond to each. Join us at the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting in Bellevue, WA, on Seattle’s Eastside, for this session! #AAPP #psychpharmacy #acpe #bcpp #bcpmp

Avoiding difficult conversations can lead to stress, reduced engagement, and low morale. Dr. Maria Blaze shares important tips to help you navigate.

#AAPP2026 Spotlight: The Bup Bulletin: Navigating Updates to Prescribing, presented by Zachary Hill, PharmD, BCPP, MA. Buprenorphine prescribing continues to evolve, with recent updates to initiation guidance for extended-release subcutaneous formulations and growing interest in micro- and macro-dosing strategies. This session will review key changes in product labeling, outline core dosing principles across formulations, and examine emerging evidence to inform safe and effective treatment of opioid use disorder. Join us at the 2026 AAPP Annual Meeting in Bellevue, WA, on Seattle’s Eastside, for this session! #AAPP #psychpharmacy #acpe #bcpp #bcpmp

AAPP member Kelly Lee has co-authored an important work in AJHP on National trends in pharmacist and pharmacy technician suicide: Incidence and associated features.

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.

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

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

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

#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

#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

#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

#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.

#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

#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

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

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

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.

Efforts to reduce barriers to methadone initiation via partnerships between mobile health programs, SSPs, and OTPs can be a tool in combating the overdose crisis.

In this cohort study, based on data from US healthcare claims databases, initiating citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, or paroxetine while on hydrocodone was associated with an increased risk of opioid overdose compared with sertraline.

Given the high level of stigma and shame experienced by PWUDs, the lowest barrier HRVM access models should be adopted to promote equitable access to harm reduction and basic needs supplies.

Integrating methadone treatment into primary care settings improves adherence to guideline-concordant health care without compromising methadone retention and treatment quality.

Medication adherence may prevent overdose, ED use, and hospitalization. Strategies to increase treatment duration/adherence likely avert harm.

Total morbidity-related productivity losses attributable to substance use disorder in the U.S. are substantial, amounting to $92.65 billion in 2023.

This pharmacist toolkit provides clinicians with evidence-based information necessary to safely and confidently manage patients who are candidates for treatment with MAOIs.

Dr. Jerry McKee, PharmD, MS, BCPP, explains the difference between BCPP re-testing versus recertification.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

This 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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Dr. Andrew C. Hean, 2023 Defining the Future grant recipient, and his co-authors Jamie Kneebusch,Casey Tiefenthaler, and Kelly C. Lee, recently had their research published! Dr. Hean said, "Thank you again to the foundation for making this research possible, a project that was quite special to me!" Congratulations to this research team, and thank you to our donors who make grants like this possible! You can now read and download the article online.

Long-time AAPP member and the current AAPP Foundation President-Elect, Clayton English, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP, BCGP, FAAPP, is part of a team of SoP faculty researchers at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy that has been awarded a $200,000 Tier 3 pilot research grant from the UW Population Health Initiative. The team’s work aims to address the rise in opioid overdose deaths, increasingly driven by fentanyl. This work is vital to public health. Help us congratulate Dr. English!

This Pharmacist Toolkit on Addressing Stimulant Shortages is intended to provide an evidence-based guide for thoughtfully converting from one stimulant product formulation to another. Download the toolkit today! #psychpharm #toolkit

Psychiatric pharmacists can function as medical affairs professionals assisting with analyzing and educating providers on clinical data and development of insights that can affect the medical strategy to optimize medications in a company’s psychiatric pipeline. Their training also translates to roles in educating payors on clinical and health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) data that may affect their access algorithms as well as in marketing where on-label data and insights can be leveraged to optimize the success for a company’s marketed psychiatric product.

Gabapentin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of partial seizures and postherpetic neuralgia, but is commonly prescribed for off-label use, including neuropathic pain.

Of those participants who transitioned out of a bridge clinic into community-based SUD care, 78% were successfully connected to ongoing care and 84% were still in care at follow-up.

MHA's State of Mental Health report was released last week and uses the most recent SAMHSA data to highlight and rank states on mental health and well-being. The 2025 report ranks New York, Hawaii, and New Jersey the highest in the nation for mental health - reflecting lower rates of mental illness and higher access to care. Nevada, Arizona and Alabama ranked lowest. A supplemental youth spotlight on mental health advocacy, created by MHA's Young Leaders Council, shows how young people are turning awareness into action and provides strategies and inspiration for other young people to follow.

Module 1 of the TMP Training Series provides tools, tactics, and strategies you need to improve your communication skills and strengthen your status as a trusted messenger.

These results highlight hospitalization as an opportunity to connect patients with IDU-IE to MOUD and preventative care, particularly in rural areas where access to such services may be limited.

Findings suggest that recent SSP use was associated with recent SUD treatment uptake, while recent CLS involvement was not.

“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

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.

Glean information and insights from AAPP’s toolkit on Pain Management Pearls for Patients with Chronic Pain or Opioid Use Disorder, our newest valuable resource.

Dr. Megan Ehret, PharmD, MS, BCPP, explains how to balance your employment expectations with your personal career goals.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has directed Medicare Administrative Contractors to lift the hold currently in place on some claims with service dates occurring after Oct. 1. This includes telehealth claims that the agency “can confirm are definitively for behavioral and mental health services.” The agency says it will continue to temporarily hold claims for other telehealth services. Many pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities expired Oct. 1, including coverage for home-based and non-rural services. As a reminder, without congressional action to extend telehealth flexibilities, an in-person (i.e., not telehealth) visit is now required within six months prior to a patient receiving their first mental health telehealth service, along with an annual in-person visit requirement for established patients. CMS states it does not believe this requirement applies to beneficiaries who began receiving mental health telehealth services in their homes prior to Oct. 1, 2025. Statutory requirements also exempt telehealth services for someone with a diagnosis of SUD or co-occurring conditions from this requirement. CMS has published a Telehealth Factsheet, along with a Telehealth FAQ updated Oct. 15, 2025.

The first systematic review to examine PrEP interventions among PWUD and identify strategies to enhance adherence.

This study provides empirical support for the theory that AVH are related to abnormalities in the normative suppressive mechanisms associated with inner speech.

An Associated Press investigation found that the wave of legislation has cropped up in most states, pushed by people with close ties to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

In this study, individuals with psychosis reported a large increase in current cannabis use following legalization and commercialization of cannabis in their state, and by larger amounts than previously reported estimates of the general population.

An increase in APC was associated with an increase in the suicide mortality rate at the population level and that the association was similar across sexes.

These findings provide evidence for a relationship between all types of alcohol use and increased dementia risk.

BPS has announced the approval of AAPP as a professional development program (PDP) providers for the contract period beginning January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2030. AAPP will deliver dually certified educational activities for pharmacists certified in pain and psychiatry in partnership with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the Society of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacists (SPPCP), and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP).

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).

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

The Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, provides comprehensive health care to around 2.8 million American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) across 37 states belonging to 574 federally recognized tribes. The federal government established a special relationship with these tribes in 1787 to provide health services and raise their overall health status to the highest level.

Kaitlyn Q. Weslosky, PharmD, BCPP discusses why we overcommit, how to avoid overcommitment, and how to manage existing commitments in this What I Wish I Knew article. #WIWIK #residents #newpractitioners #psychpharmacy

Outside of conversations around suicide, disease progression, death, and dying are not commonly discussed in psychiatric practice. Palliative care for patients with mental illness is not typically considered beyond the context of terminal medical illness. While patients with SPMI (severe and persistent mental illness) would not routinely be considered terminally ill, many individuals who live with SPMI do not achieve adequate control of their symptoms and live with significant, distressing, and impairing problems.

Consider referring patients to Mental Health America (MHA) for mental health support. Explore the MHA website to view available resources!

This free list of treatment guidelines includes anxiety and related disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, medication-induced movement disorders, schizophrenia, seizure disorders, sleep-wake disorders, and substance use disorders.

As a growing specialty working in a profession where there are exponentially more and more patient care needs, the importance of attracting and training pharmacy students to the field has never been greater. AAPP members are critical in supporting this growth through precepting and educating students and/or by advising an AAPP Collegiate Chapter. This special edition of the AAPP Perspective demonstrates the impact of Collegiate Chapters and the numerous ways members are incorporating students into their practice, not only by educating them in psychiatric pharmacy but also in enhancing their understanding of those living with mental illness.

Julie Thiel, BS Pharm, PharmD shares questions to ask before accepting a job and what to do if you discover the job is not a culture fit.

Thanks to our partnership with Current Psychiatry (CP) published through Quadrant Healthcom Inc., another Savvy Psychopharmacology article was featured in the January 2020 edition of Current Psychiatry. The goal of this section is to present an evidence-based discussion to guide safe, effective prescribing of psychotropic medications. Eva Studer, MD, Tawny L. Smith, PharmD, BCPP, and Smitha Murthy, MD, authored this article on Valproic acid-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy.

The AAPP Annual Meeting typically hosts presentations on topics related to psychiatric pharmacotherapy. Expert speakers are often BCPPs, psychiatrists, or advanced psychiatric providers. This year’s session on Contraceptive Care in Psychiatry was unique in that it provided members education on a non-psychiatric topic that is nonetheless frequently encountered in psychiatric practice environments. Given patients with mental illness often face barriers in accessing multiple treatment services, psychiatric pharmacists need to be knowledgeable on how to initiate contraception for patients and/or engage in discussions with patients and prescribers on how to confidently determine the optimal contraceptive option based on an individual’s treatment goals. Familiarity with the advantages and drawbacks of different contraceptive methods enables pharmacists to consider multiple factors when choosing the most suitable options for patients with psychiatric conditions.

AAPP provides an up to date listing of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacy Fellowships. Take a look at available opportunities!

As I prepare the President’s column for this edition of the AAPP Perspective, I am fresh out of a virtual fall retreat with the AAPP Board concentrated on our strategic plan progress. As a reminder, our current strategic plan was approved in late spring of 2021. It is regarded, by far, as the most aggressive strategic plan AAPP has ever adopted and launched us into an entirely new area of profession advocacy. With your help as volunteers and members and your amazing work in your day jobs, AAPP has been scaling these proverbial strategic plan hills and mountains with great passion ever since.

The Clozapine in Practice toolkit has recently been updated to reflect the discontinuation of the REMS and to describe current information on monitoring guidelines. A special thanks to lead author Jonathan Leung and co-authors Robin Hieber, Jenna Stearns, and Greg Deardorff for their work to update this important toolkit.

Ashley Maister, BS, PharmD, BCPP provides insights on the layered learning model, a way to differentiate instruction to accommodate for different skills and abilities.

What another exceptional year for our AAPP student chapters! Fifty-two collegiate chapters submitted an annual report presenting an overview of their 2022-2023 academic year. The Membership-Marketing Subcommittee of the Student Committee reviewed the reports for highlights of the year, noting significant community service, campus activities, research, and professional growth. Throughout the year, student pharmacists exhibited a great passion for mental health awareness in their selection of community service and chapter activities on campus. The chapters also maintain a commitment to professional development in the field of psychiatric pharmacy.

How about some trivia? How many meetings does a chapter need to hold each year to maintain its status as a recognized AAPP collegiate chapter? The answer to this and many other chapter requirements can be found in the Student Chapter Formation Manual from the Student Chapter Hub.

Long-time AAPP member and the current AAPP Foundation President, Clayton English, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP, BCGP, FAAPP, is part of a team of SoP faculty researchers at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy that has been awarded a $200,000 Tier 3 pilot research grant from the UW Population Health Initiative. The team’s work aims to address the rise in opioid overdose deaths, increasingly driven by fentanyl. This work is vital to public health. Help us congratulate Dr. English!

AAPP is continuing its membership in the Get the Medications Right Institute (GTMRX) in 2025. GTMRX is focused on advancing recognition among providers and payors of the importance of systematic, evidence-based approaches to medications and their rationale use and the urgent need for payment and policy reform to advance access to and payment for person-centered CMM services.

As we enter into the season of pumpkin spice, football, and falling leaves, it’s my pleasure to reach out and say hello as your new AAPP President. On behalf of your AAPP Board of Directors, I’d like to take a few paragraphs to reflect on some of the progress we made this summer.

This free medication database provides a list of generic and brand name medications.

"As pharmacists, we have opportunities every day to be an advocate for our patients and a champion for our profession." Learn how Dr. Tanya Fabian is advocating for psychiatric pharmacists! #WIWIK #psychpharmacy #AAPP #advocacy #yourvoicematters

There are 50 Pharmacy schools across the country that have AAPP Student Chapters, and more are joining every year! Check out the AAPP website for a list of existing chapters. Think about reaching out to a nearby chapter to collaborate on an upcoming activity, or for ideas on activities that could be done within your own organization.

AAPP 2023 hosted nearly 1,000 in-person and virtual attendees to learn, network, and advance the profession in late April. This premiere event hosted over 200 scientific posters, nearly 30 hours of cutting-edge programming, and a multitude of networking and information-sharing opportunities. This issue of The Perspective highlights the content of several sessions and provides information on significant AAPP initiatives.

"MSLs provide an outstanding resource for the latest information on a pharmaceutical company’s scientific publications in journals and poster presentations." Read more about this mutually beneficial relationship! #WIWIK #psychpharmacy #AAPP

Event site selection has been increasingly challenging for all associations with post-pandemic costs skyrocketing along with state legislation considered, by many, to be discriminatory and harmful. Our Annual Meeting 2024 (April 7-10, Orlando) host state of Florida is certainly one of those in the news this week with NAACP and others issuing travel advisories. Why then is AAPP hosting an event in Florida?

"While working with the inpatient unit, I learned more about the transition of care to our outpatient Women's Mood Disorder clinic, the site for my ambulatory rotation during residency. My residency program director coordinated with the attending physician who oversaw the clinic, and I was immediately acknowledged as a member of the team. I was the first pharmacist to practice in this setting, which was a valuable experience in and of itself. I spent six months in the once-a-week clinic and grew to love my time there. To date, this was the most informative and rewarding patient care experience of my career..." Learn more about Caitlin Hughes' experience with perinatal psychiatry.

AAPP Foundation Impact Grant recipients, the VCU Collegiate Chapter, collaborated with dental and nursing students to compile 272 dental hygiene kits. The kits were distributed along with educational handouts to patients at local substance use disorder clinics and a retail pharmacy, and patients reported learning about possible adverse drug reactions with buprenorphine that they did not know much about previously. Great work, VCU Collegiate Chapter! Hear about the project by viewing the recorded presentation.

AAPP Foundation Impact Grant recipients from the UNC Collegiate Chapter provided opioid overdose preparedness training to students, faculty, and staff at UNC! Participants demonstrated increased confidence in their knowledge. Congrats on a successful project! To hear about the project, watch the presentation recording on the Foundation website.

The 2024 AAPP Summit, a 2-day virtual event, will be held on October 10th and 11th. The Summit features 8 evidence-based sessions on emerging areas of practice and contemporary issues in psychiatric pharmacy. This interactive, virtual conference is co-sponsored with the Society of Pain and Palliative Care (SPPCP) and provides knowledge and tools to improve the comprehensive care of patients with mental health disorders. Psychiatric and pain pharmacists will find this content valuable regardless of the practice setting. Register now and join us to earn 10 hours of ACPE and BCPP recertification credit! Two grant supported sessions will also be available for an additional 2 hours of ACPE credit.

"Understanding the differences [of laws and interpretation of the laws] allows us to not only better serve our patients but also create avenues for advocacy." #WIWIK

The AAPP Foundation continues to promote mental health education to psychiatric pharmacists, residents, and students nationwide by sponsoring Mental Health First Aid training. AAPP Director of Continuing Professional Development Beth DeJongh, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP, is the lead faculty member for the training and is joined by AAPP member Emma Palmer, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP, Associate Professor at the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy at the University of Cincinnati.

AAPP is launching two new BCPP Preparatory Products in June 2024 to help psychiatric pharmacists better prepare for the BCPP exam: a Developing Effective Test-Taking Skills webinar and a Psychiatric Pharmacy Specialty Mock Exam. These products will complement the popular Psychiatric Pharmacotherapy Review Book and the BCPP Prep Series as methods of preparing for the BCPP exam.

Mental illness and substance use disorders are common in correctional populations. Watch this video to learn about a psychiatric pharmacist's role in correctional healthcare.

“The Best part about being a girl is now I don’t have to pretend to be a boy.” Dr. Jennifer Moore began her keynote presentation at AAPP’s 2023 Annual Meeting with this impactful statement, preparing the audience for a discussion on transgender care across the continuum. Delivered with “kindness and compassion”, the learning objectives highlighted components of the transgender experience, including barriers to care as well as multi-disciplinary approaches to care. Delivered with “empathy and respect”, this conversation led the audience through the longitudinal experiences of transgender youth in the U.S.

"Combatting self-doubt and recognizing imposter syndrome can be a difficult. As a learner in any stage of your career, it is important to recognize your self-worth and keep striving to build off your experiences" #WIWIK

AAPP is proud to host psychiatric pharmacists, psychiatric pharmacy residents, and pharmacy students of diverse races, ethnicities, religions, genders, and sexual orientations at AAPP 2024. AAPP understands how the environment in the host state of Florida may be concerning to conference registrants and members and, as such, AAPP has taken many steps to prioritize the attendee experience and wellbeing.

“What word would you choose to describe the current state of mental health for teenagers in America?” Dr. Jessica “Jessie” Merritt, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, introduced her presentation entitled “Teen Suicide, the Silent Epidemic” with this audience participation question. As words like “crisis,” “scary,” “fragile,” and “concerning” grew larger in the screen, the audience began to explore feelings evoked by the profound initial question, and the topic at hand for one of the Wednesday morning keynote sessions at AAPP 2023.

Substance use disorders are highly prevalent among patients with mental health conditions. Troy Moore, Pharm.D., M.S., BCPP shares his experience in the management of substance use disorders within the Veterans Health Administration.

"The key to having a positive volunteer experience is selecting an area that you are passionate about so that you...have the most enjoyable and impactful experience." #WIWIK

During AAPP 2023, AAPP presented the 2023 Judith J. Saklad Memorial Award to Charles Caley, PharmD, BCPP, Professor and Chair, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Western New England University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Springfield, MA. The Judith J. Saklad Memorial Award is presented annually to a senior psychiatric pharmacy practitioner who has achieved a level of professional distinction and represents the qualities and ideals of professional enthusiasm, a passion for optimizing patient care, and continuing dedication to the practice of psychiatric pharmacy. The Saklad Memorial Award is named after the late Judith J. Saklad.

The National Institute of Mental Health is an excellent resource for broshures and fact sheets on mental health disorders for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Printed materials can even be ordered free of charge!

"I was highly motivated to obtain my DEA to improve the efficiency of my workflow and practice with greater independence..." #WIWIK

As psychiatric pharmacists, we pride ourselves in the top-notch patient care that we provide, sometimes even serving as the patient’s main source of contact and primary prescriber. We see ourselves as empathetic and work tirelessly to break down stigma. Every day we go into work and provide compassion to the patients we treat. Sometimes though, we tell our colleagues, friends, and family stories. Stories from our patients that make us laugh or roll our eyes, or stories about our patients – the ones we don’t like because they have [insert mental illness], and we don’t enjoy working with them. Have we ever stopped to think that maybe the person we’re talking to also suffers from that or a similar mental illness?

Calling all subject matter experts! AAPP is encouraging all members to self-nominate for a presentation or author opportunity in AAPP’s upcoming events and products. Mark your submission as final by the March 27, 2025, deadline.

Psychiatric and neurologic illnesses are highly prevalent and are often suboptimally treated. Pharmacists who focus on psychiatric and neurologic diseases improve outcomes for patients with these conditions. This is important in the current health care environment as most patients with psychiatric or neurologic conditions continue to have unmet needs. Read this MHC article to learn more about the value of psychiatric and neurologic pharmacists as part of the health care team. We hope you will consider exploring psychiatric and neurological pharmacy for your career.

At AAPP 2023, Dr. Jason Bonner, PhD presented on “Burnout Among Psychiatric Pharmacists: A Discussion of Drivers and Evidence-Based/informed Interventions to Improve Clinician Well-Being.” Dr. Bonner is a Clinical Health Psychologist in Primary Care-Mental Health Integration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at the Durham VA Health Care System. He is a subject matter expert on stress, burnout, coping, well-being and resilience for pharmacy residency training and provides guidance on issues intersecting wellness and pharmacy training.

Psychiatric pharmacists can use their expertise in other industries, including continuing medical education (CME)! Learn more from Dr. Amber Lemons.

The 2023-2024 academic year has been another outstanding period for our AAPP collegiate chapters, showcasing their dedication to promoting psychiatric pharmacy and mental health awareness. Forty-seven collegiate chapters submitted annual reports, highlighting significant community service, campus activities, research, and professional growth. The 2023-2024 year also saw 64 in-person attendees to the annual AAPP meeting, with sixteen posters presented across eleven schools of pharmacy.

AAPP’s most recent strategic plan is chock full of goals surrounding the expansion of opportunities for psychiatric pharmacists. An aggressive and big assignment for sure, with no one solution that achieves the goal of growing awareness and inclusion of psychiatric pharmacists into treatment teams and health systems. After significant brainstorming and research, a plan emerged (see figure) in late 2021 that involved numerous committees and task forces conducting complimentary work simultaneously to achieve the end goal of increasing demand for psychiatric pharmacists.

The minutes of the November 19, 2024, FDA joint advisory committee meeting have been posted. As previously reported, this meeting was called to discuss reevaluation of the Clozapine Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) and possible changes to minimize burden on patients, pharmacies, and prescribers while maintaining safe use of clozapine. With the joint FDA advisory committees overwhelmingly voting to eliminate the risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS), AAPP has continued its advocacy on the REMS in conjunction with partners such as the American Psychiatric Association, Angry Moms, the Schizophrenia and Psychosis Alliance, and more. AAPP has earmarked March 18 at 10 AM central time for a webinar to update members on our advocacy and to discuss practice implications should the REMS be eliminated. More information and registration forthcoming!

While many people who sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) recover within weeks or months of their injury, others experience long-term symptoms and disabilities. This public workshop will explore the state of knowledge regarding TBI as a chronic condition and discuss strategies to improve care and outcomes for people living with its longer-term consequences.

AAPP apparel and drinkware are available for purchase! Choose from a selection of polos, sweaters, jackets, and more, and enjoy $10 flat rate shipping for your entire order. The store will close March 6th, and all orders will be processed and mailed at that time. Order now and proudly wear your AAPP-branded merchandise at AAPP 2025 in Salt Lake City and year-round!

We thoroughly enjoyed hosting many of you at AAPP 2024 in Orlando. The only downside is that we won't see many of you for another full year! In this edition of AAPP Perspectives, join us in reliving a successful AAPP 2024 while also looking forward to AAPP 2025, to be held April 25-28 in Salt Lake City, UT.

Researchers confirmed that antidepressants lead to a significant reduction in generalized anxiety disorder symptoms in the short term.

The Journal of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (JACCP), is creating a themed issue titled “Breaking the Cycle: Advancing Substance Use Disorder Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery”. Submissions (due 7/15/25) may focus on clinical, economic, social, implementation, or other forms of outcomes; innovative team-based care models; and other opportunities to advance the care and treatment of patients with substance use disorders.

Generations are often used to define an age cohort of people, typically spanning a 15–20-year period.1 The current pharmacy workforce is composed of three generations; Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964), Generation X (born 1965 to 1980), and Millennials (born 1980-1996). The next generation to enter pharmacy school and the workforce is Generation Z (Gen Z) born 1997-2012. As Gen Z becomes a significant part of our profession, we must adapt precepting strategies for these learners to align with their preferences to promote learner success.

Viana Salinas, PharmD, has tips for pharmacy trainees working in an interdisciplinary team! As a current trainee, both personal and professional growth are key to avoid undermining my potential and success. Attaining growth in both simply cannot be taught, but must be achieved through learning experiences that an individual is presented with. An opportunity for a trainee to be a part of an interdisciplinary team not only allows for trainees to come into their own but showcases the importance of their role in contributing to the delivery of quality patient care. Although my interdisciplinary team experience has stemmed from being in an acute inpatient psychiatry setting, I am confident that I as well as other trainees, can apply interdisciplinary skills to any practice setting.

My teaching philosophy is deeply influenced by my mother, who dedicated her life to her students. From her, I learned that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. I strive to create a nurturing environment where each learner feels supported, recognizing that they are unique individuals with their own stories, backgrounds, and challenges.

View results of the AAPP 2024 Residency Program Director Survey. Responses represent 2/3 of PGY2 psychiatric resident slots currently available.

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the months and years pass. Seems like yesterday we were at AAPP 2024 with many of you, and now we are in the final weeks of 2024 fresh off our November Board retreat where we evaluated goals, strategies, and measures of success for your association. During the retreat, we set our eyes on the future and acted to evolve our strategic planning processes to be more fluid and continual to support quick reaction and shifts as needed. Early next year, we will start to introduce the components of this iterative strategic planning process which you will play a critical role in as AAPP members.

As a growing specialty working in a profession where there are exponentially more and more patient care needs, the importance of attracting and training pharmacy students to the field has never been greater. AAPP members are critical in supporting this growth through precepting and educating students and/or by advising an AAPP Collegiate Chapter. This special edition of the AAPP Perspective demonstrates the impact of Collegiate Chapters and the numerous ways members are incorporating students into their practice, not only by educating them in psychiatric pharmacy but also in enhancing their understanding of those living with mental illness.

We know you are living and breathing the rapidly changing health care and pharmacy environment we operate within, and we urge you to plan for how you and your organization can best position psychiatric pharmacy. As AAPP enters this strategic planning cycle and begins to consider future directions and actions, we will be working to define the role of psychiatric pharmacists in these areas so that others don't do so on our behalf. As we traverse this journey together, be prepared to share your thoughts and opinions with Board members via surveys and/or focus groups that may be scheduled.

Complete your volunteer interest profile/application on or before November 19! AAPP is truly a member-driven organization with 1 in 6 members volunteering for AAPP in some capacity. From now through November 19, AAPP is encouraging members to sign up to serve on one of over 25 committees, councils, editorial boards, and/or task forces. These opportunities range from well-known committees like our Program Committee to more narrowly focused task forces such as our Employer Resource Center Task Force.

Completion of a quality improvement or research project is a common requirement of all ASHP-accredited pharmacy residencies. While many residents seem to dread this aspect of postgraduate training for various reasons, it stood out as one of my favorite components. Over and over, my patient encounters energized me with ideas of innovations I could explore to improve the quality of psychiatric care. That excitement helped me realize my goal of integrating research into my career as a clinical psychiatric pharmacist. I leaned on my mentors to gain a better understanding of how to accomplish this and ultimately chose to pursue a research fellowship after finishing my PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy residency. I’m delighted to share some of the insight I learned along the way.

AAPP community leaders, committees, and taskforces have been hard at work planning the next AAPP Communities Week, a 3-day virtual event taking place October 21-23, 2024! This event is exclusively for AAPP members, and you’re invited!

Opioid overdose deaths remain a prevalent issue throughout the United States, with over 81,000 reported deaths due to opioid overdose in 2023 (CDC, 2024). There is an urgent need to spread awareness regarding drugs of abuse and counterfeit drugs, as well as to reduce harm in our communities. The AAPP-University of Southern California (USC) student chapter has established our NaloxoneSC Program to do just that.

Though the introduction of telehealth into modern medicine was inevitable given recent technological advancements, the COVID-19 pandemic forced a health care system-wide change to prioritize telehealth care modalities to minimize health and safety risks for patients and providers alike. This dramatic shift led to lasting changes in patient care delivery models and, as a result, impacted trainee/learner rotations. Telehealth, along with hybrid or fully virtual rotation models, are here to stay. This new reality comes with its own hurdles for preceptors to navigate in order to ensure successful rotation experiences.

Congratulations to Elayne Ansara, Dana L Chiulli, Tera Moore, Mark Schneiderhan, Megan Ehret, Christ Herndon and all the other members making an impact in psychiatric pharmacy!

As experts in psychiatric pharmacy, few disorders keep us up at night wondering how to tackle treatment for our patients quite like insomnia does. There are so many factors to consider when choosing non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments for these patients. We also have those tough cases where first and second-line options have been exhausted and we just don’t know how best to manage this patient. Insomnia can be one of those unsuspecting difficult disorders to treat, especially for those who are treatment-resistant or are part of a population that has even more considerations to think about. Because of this, the Program Committee invited our resident expert on the matter, Dr. Megan Maroney, to untangle the intricacies of treating insomnia.

How quickly a year comes and goes! It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly a full 12 months since I assumed the role as your President. As I prepare to hand off the reins to Incoming President Michelle Geier on July 1st and reflect back on the year, it’s fun to think about what has been accomplished. The AAPP Board of Directors has been busy and has engaged in activities that are likely to impact AAPP’s trajectory into the future.

AAPP hosted psychiatric pharmacists, psychiatric pharmacy residents, and pharmacy students of diverse races, ethnicities, religions, genders, and sexual orientations at AAPP 2024. Aligning with our core values, AAPP partnered with Social Offset to make a positive impact in Orlando by supporting local nonprofit organizations.

Almost 1 out of 5 mental health providers will experience patient loss to suicide in their career, and, although many providers will note this as a career-defining moment, those clinicians may not receive support in navigating patient suicide loss. The AAPP Foundation sponsored the presentation “Living Through Loss- Navigating Loss by Suicide as a Clinician-Survivor” by Dr. Julie Cerel, Professor of the College of Social Work at the University of Kentucky, and Director of the Suicide Prevention and Exposure Lab (SPEL), to educate the AAPP membership on what it means to be a “clinician-survivor”, to identify appropriate postvention strategies for suicide loss, and to describe the impact that suicide loss may have on professional practice.

At the AAPP 2024 Annual Meeting, Dr. Chelsea Di Polito, PharmD, BCPP presented “The Good, the Bad, and the Unknown of Psychotropic Stewardship Implementation: A Focus on Antipsychotics”. Dr. Di Polito is the Assistant Director of the Peer Review for Mental Health Drugs Program through the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and works in the Peer-to-Peer program with Medicaid to reduce unnecessary antipsychotic prescribing to children and adolescents. She was a member of the Psychotropic Stewardship Taskforce and a co-author of AAPP’s paper on psychotropic stewardship.

Over the past 9 months, the AAPP Board has completed a thorough review of the association’s site selection processes and the event landscape. Through this process, the Board gained valuable input, learned how significantly event site selection is heavily influenced by market forces, and realized the delicate balancing act involved in weighing available/bidding venues with overall value, convenience, and member experience to find the best option available.