In collaboration with researchers at the UTHSC College of Pharmacy and grant support from Genentech, Tennessee Pharmacy Association would like to share an opportunity for community-based/outpatient pharmacies to enroll in a study investigating pharmacists’ management of influenza using point-of-care testing. Click here to learn more and enroll.

Also in Tennessee, updated versions of the Preferred Drug List (PDL), criteria PDL and interim criteria PDL are available, as well as the monthly provider notice for October 2022. Below is a summary of the updates:

• The following agents will be added to the PDL as non-preferred:
  • Adlarity, Bylvay, Epsolay, Livmarli, Livtencity, Norliqva, Opzelura, Rezurock, Skytrofa, Tavneos, Tarpeyo, Triumeq PD
• Clinical criteria and/or quantity limits will be updated for the following agents:
  • Nubeqa, Nucala, Olumiant, Skyrizi
• The following agents will be added to the interim criteria PDL:
  • Radicava ORS, Vtama
• Proventil HFA will be moved to preferred on the PDL in response to marketing discontinuation of Proair HFA

Updates to clinical criteria/quantity limits from the Q3 PAC meeting will also became effective on October 1 and were summarized in the September provider notice.

These documents are available on the TennCare website.

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

Tennessee Pharmacy Association will provide one-hour OSHA training via online seminar, starting on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022. Ten different time slots are available. Register today

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

TennCare is abandoning plans to set limits on some prescription drugs. This change comes after advocacy groups voiced concerns for low-income patients whose medication access may be limited.

Also in Tennessee, the Tennessee Pharmacy Association (TPA) wants to hear from you! If you are a pharmacist or pharmacy technician, please take their 2022 Needs Assessment to share your educational needs and your interest in diverse types of educational programming.

TPA’s “COVID-19 Updates: Paxlovid Prescribing and Best Practices for Vaccinating under 5” Webinar on Wednesday, August 10, 12-1pm CT, will provide the most current COVID updates.

Finally in Tennessee, updated versions of the PDL (Preferred Drug List), criteria PDL, and interim criteria PDL as well as the monthly provider notice for August 2022 can be found here.

The updates below became effective 8/1/2022:

• Vimpat moved from preferred to non-preferred
• ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone otic suspension moved from non-preferred to preferred
• Sirturo was added to as non-preferred

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

Tennessee Pharmacy Association is looking for Champion Advocates to host legislators in their pharmacy or hospital, including members of Congress during the August recess. Please contact Anthony@TNPharm.org to express your interest. 

Also in Tennessee, please see the updates to the PDL, Clinical Criteria, and Interim Criteria for July 2022.  These changes went into effect on July 1st. 

Finally in Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is hosting an Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Healthcare Provider Conference on Friday, July 22, 2022, and will offer FREE Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits for participating providers (offered through TMA). Online sessions will be available one week after the conference concludes for providers that cannot attend the live event. Questions and to register – Visit their website    

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

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee will hold hearings on June 27 to examine the impact of state and federal pandemic policies-including agency guidance, licensing and regulatory actions, and health care industry policies-on patient care and treatment delivery.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Governor Bill Lee (R) has signed HB2228, effective July 1, 2022, under this measure, prescribers are required to include a prescription for naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid overdose reversal agent with any opioid prescription. This only applies for prescriptions of more than a 3-day supply of an opioid medication, when prescribed concurrently by the same provider with a benzodiazepine, when the patient presents an increased risk for overdose, or the patient at substantial risk of witnessing an opioid overdose event. Violations of this measure are considered a Class D felony.

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

Governor William Lee (R) signed SB1859, on May 9, 2022, effective immediately, this legislation requires the board of pharmacy to promulgate rules necessary to ensure that an individual who is blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled has appropriate access to prescription labels, bag tags, and medical guides.  

Also in Tennessee, Governor Lee signed HB2660/SB2457, on May 4, 2022, effective immediately.  This legislation authorizes the Department of Commerce and Insurance to promulgate rules for pharmacy benefit managers and pharmacy benefits. Rules are prohibited from extending, modifying, or conflicting with any provision of the Tennessee Code. The rules must implement PBM audits necessary to ensure compliance; provide additional licensure requirements for PBMs; implement a complaints and administrative hearings process and provide for fees to cover the cost of supervising compliance payable by a PBM subject to an audit. 

Finally in Tennessee, Governor William Lee (R) has signed Senate Bill 2458/House Bill 2661, as amended, Much of this law offers clean-up language to 2021’s Public Chapter 569, and stakeholders advocated for key elements to ensure all provisions can be properly enforced by the TDCI, which align with Arkansas’ law that was defended by the U.S. Supreme Court in Rutledge v. PCMA. Summary points of the law include, medication product reimbursement, update to the professional dispensing fee, patient access, clear determination that this law applies to ERISA plans and a clearly defined role of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.  

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

Governor William Lee (R) signed SB (Senate Bill) 2446/HB 2131 into law on April 8, 2022, effective immediately, the legislation modernizes the definition of pharmacy technicians and now clearly allows a pharmacist to delegate tasks to a technician based on their education, training, and support, allowing all members of the pharmacy team to practice at the top of their education and training. 

Also in Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee announced that Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey will depart from state government and enter the private sector. She will remain with TDH through May 31, 2022. 

Finally in Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Health is looking to hire a Director of the Controlled Substance Monitoring Database (CSMD). Applications are being accepted now through May 20, 2022. 

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

Gov. William Lee (R) signed SB 2446/HB 2131 into law on April 8, effective immediately, the legislation modernizes the definition of pharmacy technicians and now clearly allows a pharmacist to delegate tasks to a technician based on their education, training, and support, allowing all members of the pharmacy team to practice at the top of their education and training.

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