News and Insights for Psychiatric Pharmacists
AAPP Merch Store is OPEN!
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!
Public Comment Period for Revised JCPP Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process – Your Feedback is Critical
The Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process (PPCP) is the foundation for the essential care that pharmacists provide to patients on a daily basis. Fifteen national pharmacy organizations have collaborated through the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners (JCPP) to revise the 2014 PPCP to reflect contemporary pharmacy practice today and into the future. These organizations are now seeking feedback on the revised draft PPCP from pharmacists across the profession to ensure that it is reflective of diverse pharmacy practice settings and the care being delivered. Your voice is important! Please contribute your feedback on or before 2/28 at 5 PM PT, by accessing the draft revised PPCP and a feedback survey. The estimated time to review the draft revised PPCP is 10 minutes, and the feedback survey is estimated to take up to 20 minutes to complete.
Registration Open for Pre-Meeting Workshop: Speaker Development Training
Join us for an engaging four-hour workshop at the AAPP Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City on April 27, 2025 (8:00 AM to 12:00 PM MST), designed to meet the growing need for qualified and diverse speakers in psychiatric pharmacy. This event provides a unique opportunity to network with peers, share insights, and gain practical tools to elevate speaking abilities.
Clozapine REMS Advocacy Continues – Join Us for Updates on March 18
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!
Antidepressants versus placebo for generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
Researchers confirmed that antidepressants lead to a significant reduction in generalized anxiety disorder symptoms in the short term.
JACCP Call for Papers: Advancing Substance Use Disorder Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery
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.
FDA Approves Novel Non-Opioid Treatment for Moderate to Severe Acute Pain
Last week, the FDA approved Journavx (suzetrigine), a first-in-class non-opioid analgesic, to treat moderate to severe acute pain in adults. Journavx reduces pain by targeting a pain-signaling pathway involving sodium channels in the peripheral nervous system, before pain signals reach the brain.
AAPP Announces 2025 Fellows
AAPP is pleased to announce the selection of its inaugural class of 2025 AAPP Fellows. The AAPP Fellows Program recognizes members who have demonstrated excellence in advancing the practice of psychiatric pharmacy and have distinguished themselves in advancing the mission and goals of AAPP, thereby promoting public awareness of the profession.
Mental Health Groups Urge Protection of Medicaid
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.
Mental Health America releases report on social media for youth well-being
Mental Health America reports on how social media is impacting young people’s mental health, relationships, and daily lives. "Breaking the Algorithm" brings together insights from over 900 survey respondents, focus groups with young people, and conversations with our youth co-researchers to explore.
Member News: January 2025
Congratulations to Megan Ehret, Jennifer Martin, Emma Palmer, Elayne Ansara, Amber Douglass, and all the other members making an impact in psychiatric pharmacy!
DEA Rules on Telemedicine
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released important information related to "Special Registrations for Telemedicine and Limited State Telemedicine Registrations," "Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter," and "Continuity of Care via Telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients."
JCPP Prioritizing Recognition and Payment for Pharmacists’ Patient Care Services in 2025
AAPP and the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners (JCPP) met in Alexandria, VA, to discuss lessons learned regarding pharmacists’ patient care services payment. For 2025, JCPP member organizations have prioritized advancement in gaining recognition of and payment for pharmacists’ patient care services, including supporting their members’ ability to sustain and grow provision of patient care services throughout the healthcare system.
AAPP Comments on Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program
AAPP wrote in support of any policy changes that streamline prior authorization and remove administrative burdens on providers. This includes public availability of internal plan coverage policies, better patient awareness of appeal rights, and data collection of the rationale for and outcomes of denials and appeals.
SAMHSA - Updated National Behavioral Health Crisis Care Guidance
SAMHSA has updated national guidance for crisis care that now reflects the national transition to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in 2022 and other progress and emerging needs related to behavioral health crisis care, and provides a framework for transforming behavioral health crisis care systems in communities throughout the United States.
SAMHSA - National Guidance for Substance Use Disorder Care
SAMHSA provides guidance on essential specialty substance use disorder (SUD) care that articulates an essential set of services for adults with SUD that should be available at any specialty SUD treatment facility in the United States.
SAMHSA Issue Brief - Black Youth Suicide Prevention
SAMHSA issues a brief that highlights the pressing concern of Black youth suicide and the role state leaders can play to address Black youth suicide in their communities.
Integrating Interdisciplinary Learning in Practice
Viana Salinas, PharmD, has tips for pharmacy trainees working in an interdisciplinary team!
Creating an Inclusive Environment in Education
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.
Precepting Gen Z Learners
Marissa Cullen, PharmD, BCPP
Clinical Pharmacist
UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital
Pittsburgh, PA
2024 Residency Program Director Survey Results Announced
View results of the AAPP 2024 Residency Program Director Survey. Responses represent 2/3 of PGY2 psychiatric resident slots currently available.
Presidents Blog: Living in the Now While Casting an Eye to the Future
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.
October 2024
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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 gr
President Column: Driving the Future of Psychiatric Pharmacy
Michelle Geier, PharmD, BCPP
As I write my first presidential column for AAPP, I am preparing for an international trip to London. I am the trip planner in our household. My goal is to develop an itinerary that is safe, allows us to do all that we want to do and see, involves fun and good food, yet allows for flexibility to zig-zag to an alternate plan when opportunities or roadblocks arise.
Peer-to-Peer Learning at AAPP Communities Week-October 21-23
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!
Meet the Newly Elected Members of the AAPP Board
The AAPP membership has elected three members to serve on the 2025-2027 Board of Directors. Assuming their positions effective July 1, 2025, will be Drs. Kelly Gable, Suzanne Harris and Danielle Stutzman. These 3 new members will join Drs. Jolene Bostwick, Julie Cunningham, Jennifer Dress, Michelle Geier, and Kristina Reinstatler on the Board for 2025-2026.
Building Connections through Virtual Precepting
Arianna Johnson, PharmD, BCPP
The Role and Impact of Indian Health Service Pharmacists in Public Health
Jenny Bongartz, PharmD, MPH, BCPS
NaloxoneSC: Bringing More Awareness to Harm Reduction
Justin Prakaiphetkul, USC Mann PharmD Candidate, 2026
AAPP-USC Student Chapter President
Cynthia Lee, USC Mann PharmD Candidate, 2027
AAPP-USC President-Elect
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.
A Year of Achievement: Highlighting the Impactful Work of AAPP Collegiate Chapters
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.
Volunteers = AAPP’s Workforce; Join Us!
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.
Rx for Research: Psychiatric Pharmacy Fellowships
Roisin Sabol, PharmD
Advanced Addiction Treatment Fellow, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
Resident and New Practitioner Committee Member
Member News
AAPP members Elayne D Ansara, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP, Dana L Chiulli, PharmD, BCPP, Tera Moore, PharmD, BCACP, co-authored Complexity of patients with mental healthcare needs cared for by mental health clinical pharmacist practitioners in Veterans Affairs.
June 2024
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Insomnia Session Delivers on Clinical Relevance at AAPP 2024
Chelsea N. Di Polito, PharmD, BCPP, Assistant Director of the Peer Review for Mental Health Drugs Program
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
October Summit Features ACPE and BCPP Education on Emerging Areas of Practice
The 2024 AAPP Summit, a 2-day virtual event, will be held on October 10th and 11th.
Member News
AAPP President-Elect Michelle Geier, PharmD, BCPP, has been working with others on local legislation in San Francisco to require pharmacies to stock buprenorphine. Legislation was recently introduced that aims to align California law with federal regulations to reduce barriers to treatment for opioid use disorder. Learn more.
A Spotlight on Integrating Contraceptive Care in Psychiatry at AAPP 2024
Nina Vadiei, PharmD, BCPP, Clinical Associate Professor
The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, San Antonio State Hospital
Psychotropic Stewardship Implementation Furthers the Conversation at AAPP 2024
Archana Jhawar, Clinical Pharmacist
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy
Prioritizing Wellbeing and Impact at AAPP 2024
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.
We are pleased to announce a grand total of $3690 was donated to the following charities!
Membership Guides Event Site Selection Policy
Over the past 9 months, the AAPP Board has completed a thorough review of the association’s site selection processes and the event landscape. The Board has:
Navigating Loss by Suicide as a Clinician-Survivor a Focus at AAPP 2024
Heidi Wehring, PharmD, BCPP, Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Maryland Psychiatric Research Center
AAPP 2025 Preview: Salt Lake City – The Mountains are Calling!
The mountains are calling and AAPP is answering! For the second time in the 27-year history of AAPP’s Annual Meeting, attendees will head west to Salt Lake City (SLC), Utah. SLC was one of AAPP’s most popular destinations offering beautiful surroundings and numerous attractions. Couple that with a recently renovated international airport and a convenient, affordable light rail for transportation and SLC becomes a must-visit city for AAPP members and Annual Meeting attendees.
June President’s Letter: Reflecting on a Year at the Helm
Amy Werremeyer, PharmD, BCPP, AAPP President
Greetings,
May 2024
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Environmental Scan a Cornerstone of Committee and Strategic Plan Work
Today’s rapidly changing health care environment requires flexibility, fluidity, and responsiveness. As the home of psychiatric pharmacy, AAPP strives to stay ahead of this ever-evolving landscape to serve members, the profession, and ultimately, the patients our members care for.
Investing in Change
AAPP’s Forum on our Future held during AAPP 2024 and available to members as a recording, reported on the major initiatives occurring within AAPP. With a very full agenda, reflections on AAPP’s financial health were not able to be included and, as such, are overviewed in this article.
AAPP Fellow Program Launching Third Quarter 2024
Elayne Ansara, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP, Fellowship Committee Chair
The lead off goal in AAPP’s strategic plan is a lofty and important one:
Establish the BCPP credential as the practice standard in psychiatric pharmacy and expand professional opportunities for BCPPs
News in BCPP Preparation and Recertification
New Products Help Candidates Prepare for the BCPP Exam
AAPP Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan Finalized
Just completing its second year, the AAPP DEI Committee is pleased to announce its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion plan. Though spearheaded through the DEI Committee, this strategic plan represents the contributions and efforts of many committees, the Board of Directors, and staff who are working on DEI initiatives across the organization. A significant number of the objectives are already assigned to the pertinent and committees and work is underway.
Employer Resources: The ABC's of Practice Expansion
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.
Significant AAPP Papers Published in Last 6 Months
With the formation of the Commission on Innovation and Advancement within AAPP, we have seen growth in the number of AAPP papers published in our very own Mental Health Clinician as well as other high-impact journals. The topics are tightly aligned with our strategic goals as outlined in our strategic plan.
While some of our newest additions are highlighted below, check out all of the other important publications over the last few years under our AAPP papers web page.
My People, My Community at AAPP 2024
Amy Werremeyer, PharmD, BCPP
AAPP President
Research has shown time and again that as social beings we are designed to be part of a community, a tribe, a group of humans that we can call “our people.” I have tribes of people in all aspects of my life, with AAPP being one of them and one of my most valued.
Volunteers Make AAPP’s World Go Round
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!
Member News
Kelly Gable, PharmD, BCPP, Suzanne Harris, PharmD, BCPP, Kelly Lee, PharmD, BCPP, FCCP, and Rosana Steavenson, PharmD, BCPP, BCPS, represented AAPP and psychiatric pharmacy in reviewing and recommending edits to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) on the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Assessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Suicide.
January 2024
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Happy New Year and welcome to our January AAPP Perspectives featuring articles commissioned by our Resident and New Practitioner Committee around the topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Cultivating Inclusive Learning Environments in Pharmacy Education: A Threefold Approach
Suzanne C. Harris, PharmD, clinical pharmacist practitioner in psychiatry, associate professor and Director of Well-being and Resiliency, Division of Practice Advancement and Clinical Education, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Addressing Mental Health Inequity in Your Community
Anna Marceau, PharmD
Inpatient Psychiatric Pharmacy Practitioner
William S Middleton Memorial VA Hospital
Meet the Incoming Members of the AAPP Board
The AAPP membership has elected three officers to serve on the 2024-2026 Board of Directors. Assuming their offices effective July 1, 2024, will be Drs. Jolene Bostwick, Julie Cunningham and Jennifer Dress. These 3 new members will join Drs. Michelle Geier, Kristina Reinstatler, Amy Werremeyer, and Andy Williams on the Board for 2024-2025.
2024 BCPP Recertification Product Registration Launches
BCPP Preparatory Product Registration is Live
AAPP is pleased to announce the release of 2024 preparatory products for those preparing for the Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist (BCPP) exam.
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Member News
AAPP member Jennifer Bean, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP, participated in a public workshop in May 2023 hosted by the National Academies Forum on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. Addressing the Rising Mental Health Needs of an Aging Population highlighted the current state of mental health care for older adults, outlined the challenges they face, and explored potential long-term strategies and solutions for addressing unmet mental health needs.
Holistic Healing: Navigating the Intersection of Social Determinants and Mental Health in Patient Care
Carolanne Wartman, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP
Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice
The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy
The Case for Telehealth: Increasing Access and Improving Outcomes
Caitlin McCarthy, PharmD, BCPP
Clinical Associate Professor, Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, NJ
Clinical Pharmacist, Henry J. Austin Health Center, Trenton, NJ
What is Telehealth and What are the Benefits of Telehealth?
Washington Update - AAPP Federal Advocacy in 2023
Laura Hanen, Senior Policy Advisor, Venable LLP
AAPP New Year’s Resolutions: January Presidents Letter
Amy Werremeyer, PharmD, BCPP-AAPP President
Welcome to our January AAPP Perspectives featuring articles commissioned by our Resident and New Practitioner Committee around the topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Since DEI is critically important and one of the primary drivers in the AAPP strategic plan, I am excited to learn from my peers who have authored featured articles on:
December 2023
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Where Pharmacy and Psychiatry Meet-Join Us at AAPP 2024-April 7-10
Customized, Energizing, Unique, Targeted—these are all adjectives used to describe the AAPP Annual Meeting.
Save the Date for AAPP 2024, April 7-10
Bridget Bradley, PharmD, BCPP
2024 AAPP Program Committee Chair
Attendee Wellbeing at AAPP 2024
Transforming Mental Health Systems: Lessons from the Global South
Elayne Ansara, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP
AAPP Program Committee Member
Mental Health Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner
VISN23 Clinical Resource Hub
Indianapolis, Indiana
Role of Cannabis and Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Marissa Cullen, PharmD, BCPP
Clinical Pharmacist, Psychiatry
UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital
Palliative Psychiatry for Severe, Persistent Mental Illness
Lauren Leiby, PharmD, BCPP
Behavioral Health Patient Care Pharmacist
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion
Columbus, Ohio
Digital Therapeutics in Mental Health
Chelsea N. Di Polito, PharmD, BCPP
Assistant Director of the Peer Review for Mental Health Drugs Program
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
Baltimore, Maryland
November 2023
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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 gr
Collegiate Chapters Promote and Grow Psychiatric Pharmacy
Suzanne S. Rettey, PharmD, MPA, BCPP
Peer-to-Peer Learning at AAPP Communities Week-December 11-13
AAPP community leaders, committees, and taskforces have been hard at work planning the next AAPP Communities Week, a 3-day virtual event taking place December 11-13, 2023! This event is exclusively for AAPP members, and you’re invited!
November President’s Letter: Scaling Hills and Mountains at AAPP
Amy Werremeyer, PharmD, BCPP
AAPP President
New AAPP Learning Platform Launches in December!
Attention AAPP Members and Learners!
To improve your experience and support new learning strategies, AAPP is launching a new learning platform later this year. AAPP.org is expected to be offline for the transition December 1-11, 2023. While most of the web site experience will remain familiar, key enhancements include:
Savvy Psychopharmacology - Valproic acid-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy
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.