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.
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:
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!
On Monday, July 21, a 10-member panel headed by Marty Makary, MD, MPH, commissioner of the FDA convened to discuss the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in pregnancy. Rather than recruiting a wide range of experts to discuss the best data available, the administration mainly invited clinicians and researchers who have a record of deep skepticism of antidepressants.
As a proud member of Project PAUSE (Psychoactive Appropriate Use for Safety and Effectiveness) — an ad hoc coalition of national patient and professional organizations collectively advocating on clinical regulatory and legislative issues in long-term care — we are working to help others understand Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) of Alzheimer’s disease and related diseases (ADRD).
The coalition is looking for:
On Thursday, July 24, the Trump Administration issued an executive order, Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets, and corresponding fact sheet.