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.
Effective Sunday, July 1, all gabapentin products will be Schedule V controlled substances in the state of Tennessee as a result of the enactment of HB 1832 (Public Chapter Number 1040). Gabapentin is also known under the brand names Neurontin, Horizant, Gralise, Gabarone and Fanatrex.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
With the enactment of TN Together (SB 2257/ HB 1831), there are several new prescribing and dispensing limits that will become effective on Sunday, July 1 for new patients receiving prescriptions for opioids. The Tennessee Pharmacists Association is offering a one-hour webinar, “Updates on Dispensing of Opioids in Tennessee” on Wednesday and Thursday, June 13 and 14. Webinar registrants will also receive reference materials, flow charts and opioid conversion tables to help guide implementation of the new law. This is a knowledge-based CE activity that benefits pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who provide care to patients through the dispensing of opioids. There is a fee for this program.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Effective Sunday, July 1, all pharmacies participating in the TennCare or CoverKids pharmacy program must have a valid TennCare issued Medicaid ID. Failure to obtain a valid Medicaid ID may result in rejected claims and disqualification as a provider for these networks. This requirement applies to MagellanRX and Express Scripts and any subsequent pharmacy benefits manager for TennCare or CoverKids. Pharmacies that need a Medicaid ID are required to register through the TennCare electronic registration portal.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
SB 2362, sponsored by Sen. Rusty Crowe (R), was signed by Gov. Bill Haslam (R) on May 21. Effective immediately, this measure specifies that a pharmacy or pharmacist has the right to provide an insured information regarding the amount of the insured’s cost share for a prescription drug. The measure prohibits a pharmacy or a pharmacist from being penalized by a pharmacy benefits manager for discussing such information or for selling a lower priced drug to the insured if one is available.
Also in Tennessee…SB 777, sponsored by Sen. Ed Jackson (R), was signed by Gov. Bill Haslam (R) on May 21. This measure makes several changes related to prescribing and dispensing of buprenorphine.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.