prescribing of psychiatric drugs

The Department of Health and Human Services is launching a campaign to reduce the frequency with which providers prescribe drugs for patients with behavioral health challenges. The new campaign, announced earlier this week, will seek to analyze prescribing patterns for psychiatric drugs, evaluate those that are and are not effective, and advocate greater use of alternative, non-medication-based treatments. To support this effort, HHS plans to develop new policies and promote and support more education and outreach. HHS also has issued two sets guidelines, developed by its Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):  one is a “dear colleague” letter [...]