Proposed rule of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services would repeal and readopt regulations under RRT 0940-06-01 to update standards on controlled substances. The rule would include the schedules of controlled substances and lists of certain non-narcotic substances, chemical preparations, prescription products, anabolic steroids, and cannabis products that are excluded from the schedules. A hearing is scheduled for July 22, 2020, in Nashville or WebEx. Comments are due before 4:30 p.m. CDT on Aug. 3, 2020.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

TennCare has release the results of their cost of dispensing survey, a recording of which can be found here. Effective May 1, 2020, the dispensing fee for ambulatory with volume of 0-64,999 increased to $11.98 and those with volume of 65,000+ increased to $8.37. The Specialty professional dispensing fee of $45.94 will be applied to Specialty Drugs, rather than Specialty Pharmacies. It will be reimbursed regardless of pharmacy practice type.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP, has issued this statement on chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and azithromycin. This statement has been sent to all providers in Tennessee.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

Governor Bill Lee (R) has issued Executive Order #15. Of note to pharmacy practice, the following items have been addressed to promote the health and well-being of Tennesseans during the COVID-19 pandemic: Out-of-State Licensed Health Care Professionals,  Refills of Maintenance Medications up to 90 Days, Patients in Temporary Residences, Expiration of Health Care Professionals and Facilities Licenses, Remote Verification of Prescriptions Certificate of Need Requirements, Alternate Testing Site Allowance, Setting Prices on Medical Supplies, Emergency Supplies, or Consumer Food Items, TennCare Changes and Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

NACDS provided analysis to members and in-state partners on HB.2688, which would require that health plans, pharmacy benefits managers, and pharmacies will make available a patient’s specific prescription cost and benefit information in real-time for usage in a healthcare provider’s prescribing or electronic health record system at the point of prescribing and at the point of dispensing.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

The Tennessee Pharmacists Association has partnered with America Pharmacists’ Association (APhA) to offer the APhA’s “Pharmacist & Patient-Centered Diabetes Care” Certificate Training Program to pharmacists at a promotional rate of only $99, on Friday, November 22, 2019, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Memphis, TN. For more information click here.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

If you are a pharmacist providing immunizations or CLIA-waived testing services, or a pharmacy technician or other health care professional assisting with these services, you must have live OSHA training on bloodborne pathogens every year or face fines of up to $90,000. The Tennessee Pharmacists Research and Education Foundation in partnership with other state associations are offering a webinar that meets all of OSHA’s training requirements, including the live component. This webinar will provide attendees with one (1.0) contact hour of live ACPE Continuing Pharmacy Education. Contact your state pharmacy association for information.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.