A call to action for ambulatory care pharmacists for the treatment of depression and anxiety in primary care: An opinion paper of the ambulatory care and central nervous system practice research networks of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy

Abstract

The need for mental health care has increased in recent years, especially due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Simultaneously, the supply of mental health clinicians has declined alongside decreases in primary care clinicians. As management of depression and anxiety has increasingly moved to primary care, ambulatory care pharmacists must be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to care for patients with these illnesses. The objective of this collaborative Opinion Paper of the Ambulatory Care and Central Nervous System Practice and Research Networks is to provide practical guidance on the role and educational needs of ambulatory care pharmacists in the management of depression and anxiety within primary care settings and to serve as a call for action. The authors performed a narrative review of the PubMed database from January 1, 1990 to November 10, 2024 using search terms pertaining to primary care pharmacists and mental health care. The reference lists of these articles were then reviewed for additional references. Ambulatory care pharmacists can help meet the increased need for mental health care in primary care. Their knowledge of evidence-based medicine, drug interactions, adverse effects, and other areas of pharmaceutical care, coupled with their training in interprofessional team-based care, make them an ideal addition to the primary care team to provide care for patients with depression and anxiety. A variety of educational programs are available for ambulatory care pharmacists to augment their mental health care knowledge and skills. Similarly, the training of pharmacists at all levels, from student to resident, should incorporate mental health experiences to prepare future pharmacists to address the mental health care needs of their patients. Ambulatory care pharmacists should leverage the skills and training they possess to fill the gap in care for patients living with depression and anxiety in primary care settings.