Practical opportunities for pharmacists to optimize psychotropic medication use among foster youth

Role of Board‐Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists in child and adolescent psychiatry

“…13,14 Not only are 13%-31% of youth in foster care prescribed at least one psychotropic medication, but they are four times as likely to be prescribed at least three psychotropic medications and twice as likely to be prescribed at least one concomitant antipsychotic as those, not in foster care. 15,16 Children and adolescents experienced disproportionate harm to their mental health during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19) pandemic. Emergency department visits associated with suicide attempts increased 50.6% in females 12-to 17-year-olds in February to March 2021 as compared to 2019.…”

“…1 Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists work in a variety of unique pediatric settings, including children's hospital psychiatric pavilions, ambulatory clinics, and psychiatric hospitals, and work with diverse CAP patient populations (Table 1). 8,10,[12][13][14][15]17,18,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] Where properly integrated, BCPPs are viewed as valuable members of the CAP team by CAP, pediatricians, and foster care social workers, among others. 4,10,15,32 Through implementation of CMM, BCPPs address pediatric polypharmacy, increase medication adherence and knowledge, and enhance patient outcomes.…”

“…8,10,[12][13][14][15]17,18,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] Where properly integrated, BCPPs are viewed as valuable members of the CAP team by CAP, pediatricians, and foster care social workers, among others. 4,10,15,32 Through implementation of CMM, BCPPs address pediatric polypharmacy, increase medication adherence and knowledge, and enhance patient outcomes. 4,9,32,33 Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists in CAP can also support medication decisions and monitoring for medical comorbidities.…”

“…Children and adolescents in foster care, juvenile justice systems, and with developmental or intellectual disabilities are the most likely to be prescribed high‐risk psychotropic medication regimens (e.g., >1 agent from the same pharmacologic class, ≥ 3 concomitant psychotropic medications) 13,14 . Not only are 13%–31% of youth in foster care prescribed at least one psychotropic medication, but they are four times as likely to be prescribed at least three psychotropic medications and twice as likely to be prescribed at least one concomitant antipsychotic as those, not in foster care 15,16 …”

Filling a global gap in access to critical mental health services: Engaging pharmacists to enhance the care of individuals with mental health needs and illnesses

“…Articles in this first theme describe the perceptions that various stakeholders have about the different roles that community-based pharmacists and those with a specialization in psychiatric pharmacy can have in providing access to different mental health services, including depression screening in community pharmacies. [5][6][7][8] One study in this first thematic area explored patient perspectives on the role of community-based pharmacists as mental health first aid (MHFA) providers. 8 MHFA is one of a few training programs to support the development of skills on how to help individuals with mental health needs get the support they need to manage and resolve mental health crises.…”