Social Determinants of Health in People Living with Psychiatric Disorders: The Role of Pharmacists.

Introduction: Social determinants of health (SDOH) affect outcomes of people living with psychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders. As experts in medication optimization, pharmacists play a vital role in identifying and addressing medication-related problems associated with SDOH. However, there is a paucity of literature on how pharmacists can be part of the solution. Objective: The purpose of this article is to provide a narrative review and commentary on the intersection between SDOH, medication-related outcomes in people living with psychiatric disorders, and the role of pharmacists in addressing them. Method: The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists appointed an expert panel to research the issue, identify barriers, and develop a framework for including pharmacists in addressing medication therapy problems associated with SDOH in people with psychiatric disorders. The panel used Healthy People 2030 as the framework and sought input from public health officials to propose solutions for their commentary. Results: We identified potential connections between SDOH and their impact on medication use in people with psychiatric disorders. We provide examples of how comprehensive medication management can afford opportunities for pharmacists to mitigate medication-related problems associated with SDOH. Conclusion: Public health officials should be aware of the vital role that pharmacists play in addressing medication therapy problems associated with SDOH to improve health outcomes and to incorporate them in health promotion programs.

Holding pharmacy educators accountable in the wake of the anti-racism movement: A call to action.

INTRODUCTION: The recent murders of Black Americans has forced our society to reevaluate how the various systems in our nation view race and to attempt to dismantle and rebuild the structures that reinforce and perpetuate racial group inequity. PERSPECTIVE: Cultural awareness education has been broadly integrated into pharmacy curricula across the country to comply with accreditation standards. Health disparities are currently addressed in the context of race and ethnicity but lack the connection to racism. Cultural awareness education should focus more on racism and its impact on healthcare. IMPLICATIONS: In order to properly address racism in cultural awareness education, there has to be a deliberate curricular integration of anti-racism education addressing historical factors that have set the foundation of structural racism in this country. The current manifestations and impact on healthcare can be connected to this history. As a primary influencer of one of the most accessible healthcare professionals, pharmacy educators are at the forefront to educate and equip the next generation to strive for health equity in the context of racism.

Pharmacist-initiated prior authorization process to improve patient care in a psychiatric acute care hospital.

A prior authorization (PA) is a requirement implemented by managed care organizations to help provide medications to consumers in a cost-effective manner. The PA process may be seen as a barrier by prescribers, pharmacists, pharmaceutical companies, and consumers. The lack of a standardized PA process, implemented prior to a patient's discharge from a health care facility, may increase nonadherence to inpatient prescribed medications. Pharmacists and other health care professionals can implement a PA process specific to their institution. This article describes a pharmacist-initiated PA process implemented at an acute care psychiatric hospital. This process was initiated secondary to a need for a standardized process at the facility. To date, the process has been seen as a valuable aspect to patient care. Plans to expand this process include collecting data with regards to adherence and readmissions as well as applying for a grant to help develop a program to automate the PA program at this facility.