College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists

Mission and Objectives of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists

Our mission is to promote excellence in pharmacy practice, education and research to optimize treatment outcomes of individuals affected by psychiatric and neurologic disorders through:

1. Facilitating the dissemination of information regarding psychiatric and neurologic pharmacotherapy, patient care, and community support.
2. Facilitating programs in the areas of psychiatric and neurologic pharmacy at national meetings with organizations that support our interests.
3. Improving care for patients with psychiatric and neurologic disorders.
4. Advancing the quality of research in the pharmacotherapy of psychiatric and neurologic disorders.
5. Supporting the Psychiatric Pharmacy Certification Exam process and programs preparing exam candidates.

Outreach to other organizations with similar or complimentary goals is another way that CPNP works towards fulfillment of its mission.

Outreach Efforts
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP): CPNP liaisons with ASCP in an effort to identify and implement projects of mutual benefit to the membership of each organization and the patients members serve. Occassionally ASCP and CPNP will offer a jointly sponsored symposium at both the CPNP and ASCP Annual Meetings.

American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) CPNP and ASHP frequently co-sponsor a symposium at the ASHP Mid-Year Meeting held each December. CPNP works to keep an ongoing dialogue with ASHP concerning a variety of topics including residency standards and accreditation.

Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS): CPNP supports the Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist (BCPP) specialization as a means to improve the quality of care individual patients receive, to increase the chances of positive treatment outcomes, and ultimately, to improve the patient’s quality of life. Of the 580+ BCPPs, more than 70% are members of CPNP. CPNP supports BPS by promoting the value of obtaining and maintaining certification. CPNP is the sole provider of recertification credit for the Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist.

Consumer Relations: CPNP maintains a Consumer Relations Committee to focus on identifying and implementing projects of benefit to mental health consumers through various consumer organizations. One of CPNP's closest partners is the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). In the summer of 2006, CPNP was awarded the prestigious NAMI Excellence in Community Mental Health Services Award in recognition for its work to inform and educate people about medications available to treat mental illness. Some of the activities completed by CPNP for NAMI include:

• Medication Fact Sheets: CPNP creates and updates medication fact sheets that are distributed through NAMI’s HelpLine and on the NAMI website.
• Ask the Pharmacist Columns: CPNP authors a brief “Ask the Pharmacist” column that appears on the NAMI website and in NAMI publications.
• NAMI Annual Meeting: CPNP members staff a CPNP booth and participate in the popular and valuable Wellness Center booth at the NAMI National Convention. The Wellness Center offers information and brochures about different topics related to health and wellness, as well as one-on-one advice and coaching on medication related questions. CPNP also provides speakers and educational programming at the NAMI Annual Convention.
• CPNP Annual Meeting: CPNP periodically integrates NAMI presentations into the CPNP Annual Meeting as a means to increase the visibility of NAMI and reinforce CPNP member roles in working to optimize treatment outcomes for those suffering from psychiatric disorders.
• CPNP Walks for NAMI: CPNP hosts an annual fundraiser for NAMI at the CPNP Annual Meeting. Members and Annual Meeting attendees donate money to participate in a 5K run/walk at the meeting. Funds raised are matched by CPNP and donated to NAMI.