Health Policy Agenda

The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP) is a professional association representing more than 2,000 psychiatric and neurologic pharmacists. As the voice of the specialty, CPNP’s mission is to advance the reach and practice of psychiatric pharmacists. CPNP’s membership consists of specialty pharmacists who are trained in mental health and addiction, pharmacology, neurology, drug-disease state interactions, and in optimizing medication adherence. Psychiatric pharmacists play an active role in the delivery of mental health services as integral members of multidisciplinary teams to optimize drug therapy, provide direct patient care, monitor for potential adverse drug reactions, educate patients and families on psychiatric medications; teach healthcare students, residents, and practitioners, and evaluate and educate others on the medical literature. CPNP leads efforts to ensure that the needs and perspectives of patients with mental illness and their families are maintained regardless of practice setting and that all patients have access to quality and safe mental health care.

CPNP has outlined the following health policy priorities:

1. Educate policymakers and healthcare professionals about the role of psychiatric pharmacist on the healthcare team (who we are and what we do) and the value we bring to the healthcare team. 
2. Support policy changes that increase access to psychiatric pharmacists’ services including:
   1. Payment for psychiatric pharmacists’ services, 
   2. Innovative models of care and payment models which include psychiatric pharmacists on the healthcare team to improve outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and help alleviate the workforce shortage.
   3. Provider status of pharmacists in rural areas (PAPCC)
3. Partner with other organizations, relevant federal agencies, and coalitions to support increased access to care.

Other Policy Priorities:

1. Support third-party efforts to inform policymakers and healthcare professionals about the appropriate use of and the need for increased access to medications such as long-acting injectable antipsychotics, naloxone, and medication assisted treatment for alcohol and opioid use disorders
2. Support stakeholder efforts to implement policy changes that would increase access to psychiatric pharmacists’ services including:
   1. Innovative models that integrate behavioral health and primary care services
   2. Collaborative drug therapy management 
   3. Increasing funding for psychiatric pharmacy residency training
   4. Amendment of DATA 2000 to include pharmacists as prescribers