The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is preparing for all scenarios and is working to identify providers who could administer vaccinations when available.  Part of this effort includes working with pharmacists to assess their level of readiness related to the distribution, storage, and administration of COVID-19 vaccinations. TDH has released a survey, seeking to collect information from pharmacies and health care facilities who would like to collaborate with TDH during a pandemic response. The purpose of this survey is to allow TDH to be prepared to distribute resources should they become available. Partnering providers are asked to consider their pharmacy’s or facility’s capacity to store, distribute, and administer the pandemic vaccine to eligible members of the public and/or to the populations they serve. This survey will also assist TDH in understanding pharmacies’ and facilities’ estimated capacity to assist in pandemic response. TDH is asking for responses that would reflect the “average” capacity for vaccine storage, which may vary by season. Of note, vaccines may require storage under freezing or refrigerated temperatures.

If interested, please submit only ONE pandemic survey per pharmacy/facility/physical location, to avoid duplicate information. Please enter complete information when answering questions regarding the pharmacy’s or facility’s storage capabilities. For TDH to approve a pharmacy or facility to store federally purchased vaccines, all requested information and documentation must be provided.  Any questions or requests to make changes to the pharmacy or facility information after submission, or to opt-out of being a pandemic provider at a later date, please contact TDH at VPDIP.Pandemic@tn.gov.

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

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.