Searching for Solutions

Every year, over 250 members contribute their time and talent to AAPP as members of committees, the Board of Directors, task forces, and editorial boards. This number doesn’t count the members who author, speak, represent AAPP at meetings, and much more. Though National Volunteer Week was in late April, we rely on and celebrate our member volunteers year-round and are excited to share just a few volunteer testimonials. Cheers to our AAPP volunteers!

A leading bipartisan mental health advocacy group launched a $1 million targeted TV and radio advertising campaign Monday, calling on senators to protect Medicaid. The Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act proposes implementing deep cuts to Medicaid and imposing new restrictions on the program’s beneficiaries, like work requirements and more eligibility checks.

• Mental Health and Burnout
• Mental Health and Burnout: A Guide for Managers
• Working with PTSD
• Working with PTSD: A Guide for People Managers

The Clozapine REMS website at https://www.newclozapinerems.com/home has been updated to reflect that “Effective June 13, 2025, FDA has officially eliminated the clozapine REMS, and all REMS operations have ceased.” In other clozapine news, AAPP is pleased to announce we have been awarded grant funding from the Schizophrenia and Psychosis Action Alliance to develop a complimentary clozapine educational series for healthcare professionals anticipated to launch no later than early November 2025.

Cannabis use among U.S. adults aged 65+ rose from 4.8% in 2021 to 7% in 2023, with higher increases in subgroups like women, high-income earners, those with chronic diseases, and residents of states with legalized medical cannabis, according to a new JAMA Internal Medicine research letter. Researchers warn of health risks: "Given physiological changes and chronic diseases, older adults are susceptible to adverse effects of cannabis, which may require acute medical care," the authors wrote.

AAPP joined leading mental health groups urging Congress to protect Medicaid, the single largest payer of mental health and substance use care. In the midst of our nation’s ongoing mental health crisis, the importance of protecting people’s access to life-saving services was emphasized in the letter.

This week, AAPP, along with the American Society for Health System Pharmacists, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists, the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association, the American Pharmacists Association, the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, the National Community Pharmacists Association, and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations sent letters to some of the nation’s largest health insurers and their trade association requesting that insurers maintain existing co

The Big Beautiful Bill includes expansion of 529 Savings Accounts which can benefit individuals preparing for and maintaining the BCPP. Families will soon be able to use 529 plans to help cover:

• Credential program tuition, including prep courses;
• Testing fees, including practice exams;
• Required books and equipment;
• Continuing education and credential renewal; and
• Other charges required to obtain and maintain a credential.

Congress has passed the budget bill, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which includes significant cuts to Medicaid. Medicaid matters for mental health. So, AAPP will keep fighting alongside coalition partners to strive for accessible and affordable care for everyone and for policies that treat people with mental illness with dignity and respect.

By Jolene Bostwick, AAPP President 

Member and Incoming President-Elect Suzie Harris, PharmD, BCPP, served as a member of the planning committee and faculty for the NASEM: Innovations in Pharmacy Training and Practice to Advance Patient Care Workshop. Thanks for representing psychiatric pharmacy!