TY - JOUR
AU - A. Vallabh
AU - A. Abelleira
AU - A. R. Douglass
AU - C. A. Gutierrez
AU - A. Maister
AU - B. Miskle
AU - K. E. Moeller
AU - A. Salwan
AU - K. Waters
AU - D. Dadiomov
A1 - 
AB - INTRODUCTION: At present, there is a shortage of clinicians providing substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, thereby limiting access to evidence-based care. Board-certified psychiatric pharmacists (BCPPs) are doctorate-level, advance trained experts in psychopharmacology and psychiatric disorders, including SUDs. METHODS: This narrative review describes the contributions of BCPPs in SUD care and summarizes evidence demonstrating their impact across health care settings. It highlights their roles in comprehensive medication management, including the management of co-occurring psychiatric disorders, long-acting injectables, telehealth services, and transitions of care. Other key contributions include harm reduction services, education, and psychotropic stewardship. RESULTS: Integration of BCPPs on teams providing SUD care can reduce other practitioners' workloads, expedite care, and increase access to life-saving pharmacologic intervention. BCPPs can optimize medication-related outcomes and safety and, with prescriptive authority, may prescribe controlled substances including buprenorphine. They are well-positioned to take on additional responsibilities in SUD care and have adopted successful treatment models across practice settings. DISCUSSION: Evidence shows that BCPPs can improve the quality of SUD care. BCPPs should be regarded as essential members of interprofessional teams providing SUD treatment as their involvement can drive advancements in clinical practice and expand access to care for patients with SUDs.
AD -  (Corresponding author) Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner-Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health, Veterans Integrated Service Network 12 Clinical Resource Hub-Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, anuja.vallabh2@va.gov.;  Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner-Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.;  Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner-Mental Health, Veterans Integrated Service Network 1 Clinical Resource Hub-Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut.;  Associate Chief, Clinical Pharmacy Programs, Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner, Psychiatry, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio.;  TexasClinical Pharmacist Practitioner-Mental Health, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.;  Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.;  Clinical Professor, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.;  Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Behavioral Health, Montefiore Nyack Hospital, Nyack, New York.;  Assistant Clinical Professor, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.;  Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Southern California Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Los Angeles, California.
AN - 42239826
BT - Ment Health Clin
C5 - Opioids & Substance Use; Education & Workforce
CP - 3
DA - 06/2026
DO - 10.9740/mhc.2026.06.117
DP - NLM
ET - 20260602
IS - 3
JF - Ment Health Clin
LA - eng
N2 - INTRODUCTION: At present, there is a shortage of clinicians providing substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, thereby limiting access to evidence-based care. Board-certified psychiatric pharmacists (BCPPs) are doctorate-level, advance trained experts in psychopharmacology and psychiatric disorders, including SUDs. METHODS: This narrative review describes the contributions of BCPPs in SUD care and summarizes evidence demonstrating their impact across health care settings. It highlights their roles in comprehensive medication management, including the management of co-occurring psychiatric disorders, long-acting injectables, telehealth services, and transitions of care. Other key contributions include harm reduction services, education, and psychotropic stewardship. RESULTS: Integration of BCPPs on teams providing SUD care can reduce other practitioners' workloads, expedite care, and increase access to life-saving pharmacologic intervention. BCPPs can optimize medication-related outcomes and safety and, with prescriptive authority, may prescribe controlled substances including buprenorphine. They are well-positioned to take on additional responsibilities in SUD care and have adopted successful treatment models across practice settings. DISCUSSION: Evidence shows that BCPPs can improve the quality of SUD care. BCPPs should be regarded as essential members of interprofessional teams providing SUD treatment as their involvement can drive advancements in clinical practice and expand access to care for patients with SUDs.
PY - 2026
SN - 2168-9709
SP - 117
EP - 124+
ST - Board-certified psychiatric pharmacists in substance use disorder treatment: Integration, services, and outcomes across care settings
T1 - Board-certified psychiatric pharmacists in substance use disorder treatment: Integration, services, and outcomes across care settings
T2 - Ment Health Clin
TI - Board-certified psychiatric pharmacists in substance use disorder treatment: Integration, services, and outcomes across care settings
U1 - Opioids & Substance Use; Education & Workforce
U3 - 10.9740/mhc.2026.06.117
VL - 16
VO - 2168-9709
Y1 - 2026
ER -