World Psychedelics Day: Why Pharmacy Can't Sit This One Out

In an interview with Pharmacy Times for the Pharmacy Focus podcast, coinciding with World Psychedelics Day on June 20, 2026, leaders of the newly formed Psychedelic Pharmacist Foundation (PPF)—President Jason Burge, Treasurer Will Senneway, and Education Committee Lead MG Hornick—discussed the organization's mission to position pharmacists at the forefront of the evolving psychedelic medicine landscape.

The PPF was established as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization operating alongside the existing Psychedelic Pharmacist Association (PPA), a 501(c)(6) trade organization. The foundation's structure allows for charitable giving and is centered on evidence-based education for pharmacists, pharmacy students, healthcare professionals, and the broader public. Its immediate funding priorities include developing and publishing a continuing education course on psychedelic therapy.

The guests emphasized that pharmacists are uniquely positioned as the most accessible health care professionals in the country and the most qualified drug experts to counsel patients on psychedelic therapies—including drug-drug interactions with compounds such as psilocybin, ayahuasca, and ibogaine. All 3 noted that as state programs in Oregon and Colorado come online and federal momentum builds—including a recent executive order from President Trump to accelerate psychedelic treatments for serious mental illness—the window for pharmacies to assert themselves in this space is narrow.

Hornick stressed the importance of reaching both current practicing pharmacists and pharmacy students, many of whom have been taught to view these substances solely through a substance abuse lens and now need updated, evidence-based information. Burge highlighted the dual benefit for pharmacists themselves, noting that psychedelic therapies may offer relief from career burnout in addition to providing patient benefit.

The PPF officially launched on World Psychedelics Day and encouraged pharmacists to visit the PPA and PPF websites, explore their newsletter and Breakthrough Psychedelics course, and consider donating or volunteering.