News and Insights for Psychiatric Pharmacists

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.

AAPP is exploring the impact of AI on the role of psychiatric pharmacists. To better understand the various perspectives, we will meet in Zoom on April 7 with members holding the opinions that (1) AI is an opportunity for BCPPs to lead, (2) AI will have minimal impact on patient care by BCPPs, and (3) AI is an existential threat to the specialty. Regardless of whether AI is being implemented at your site, we would appreciate hearing from you about why you believe one of those options is more likely than the others. There is no application process - just sign up for the group you agree with!

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.