Texas Pharmacy Association engages students on mental health and substance use issues

The Texas State Board of Pharmacy convened on May 6, 2025, to discuss ongoing initiatives and updates regarding the Peer Assistance Program (PRN) and its outreach efforts. The meeting highlighted the steady influx of referrals concerning potentially impaired pharmacists and pharmacy students, with compliance among current participants deemed acceptable. All public safety concerns have been duly reported to the Board.

During the past quarter, PRN has engaged in several educational opportunities. On February 27, representatives from PRN, including Pierron, addressed student pharmacists at the University of Texas at El Paso. The presentation focused on mental health and substance use statistics, emphasizing the advantages of the peer assistance monitoring program.

The following day, PRN staff, alongside Sarah Winn, PharmD from the Texas Pharmacy Association, spoke at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy. Their session, part of the "Drugs, Alcohol, and You" seminar, tackled the stigma surrounding addiction and its impact on recovery, particularly for healthcare professionals.

On March 3, Pierron presented to P-one students at the University of Texas College of Pharmacy, discussing problematic substance use and sharing relevant statistics. This session also highlighted the resources available for healthcare professionals seeking mental health and substance abuse support.

In April, PRN participated in the Texas Society of Health-System Pharmacists (TSHP) annual conference in Irving, Texas. This event provided an opportunity to enhance visibility and educate attendees about the program's services and resources.

Looking ahead, PRN aims to continue collaborating with pharmacy schools and expanding awareness of its initiatives across Texas. The meeting concluded with a review of the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) numbers, which were initially submitted to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy on March 10, covering data from September 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025. These numbers encompass all licensed pharmacists and pharmacy students enrolled in the program.