The Tennessee House Government Operations Committee met and voted on proposed Board of Pharmacy rules packets as the last step in the approval process. Several presented rules were approved, including those for the provision of ivermectin and accommodations for visually impaired patients, but the Committee disapproved the proposed rule 1140-07 Sterile Compounding. Rules pertaining to complying with USP recommendations will not be enforceable by TN inspectors on March 14 as originally anticipated; however, federal agencies still require compliance. TPA is working closely with the Department of Health on this issue and will share more details as they become available.

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

Tennessee Pharmacy Association (TPA) asked pharmacy technicians to complete TPA’s pharmacy technician survey Survey topics include responsibilities, advanced technician roles, direct patient care roles, well-being, and certifications. Participation will help TPA gain insight into the roles that pharmacy technicians hold within different settings of pharmacy practice.

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

The Beacon Center of Tennessee’s newest report, “A Dose of Free Market Medicine,” compares Tennessee’s laws and regulations around pharmacists to recent reforms in other states, including Florida, Iowa, Kansas and Idaho. By enacting similar reforms, Tennessee policymakers can expand access to health care.

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

Pharmacy technicians who have taken the American Pharmacists Association immunization certificate training program may notice that certificates are set to expire three years after course completion. The Board of Pharmacy has yet to approve rules allowing pharmacy technicians to vaccinate. Under current authority through the PREP Act, technicians must complete two hours of immunization-related continuing education in the licensing period but do not need to retake an immunization training course.  

Also in Tennessee, the Department of Health (TDH) issued a news release reminding Tennesseans to "protect themselves and their loved ones against the worst symptoms of viral respiratory illnesses, from the common cold to influenza." TDH urges the public to consult trusted health providers to find the best vaccination options.  

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

On January 17, the Pharmacy Podcast Network announced the winners of the 2023 50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy to celebrate “professionals whose thoughts, actions, accomplishments and leadership have helped solve clinical, customer service and financial problems.” Congratulations to TPA Immediate Past President Jay Phipps for earning the number two spot on the list!

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

The Tennessee Nonresidential Buprenorphine Treatment Guidelines, providing details about medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in Tennessee, were recently updated following review by the Commissioners of TDMHSAS (Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services) and TDH (Department of Health).  

Also in Tennessee, the Department of Health released an article, "Racial Disparities in Adolescent Flu Immunization Rates," highlighting public health concerns as factors such as socioeconomic status, limited access to health care, mistrust of medical systems and systemic barriers disproportionately affect minority communities and their immunization coverage rates.  

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

On December 5, Belmont University will host a free, live webinar providing a one-hour Board of Pharmacy update from 6:30-7:30 pm CT. All pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Tennessee are welcome to register.

Also in Tennessee, TennCare recently released a notice regarding changes to the TennCare pharmacy program, specifically to the morphine milligram equivalent (MME), which will become effective January 1, 2024.

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

TennCare’s updated dispensing fees took effect on November 1. TPA (Tennessee Pharmacists Association) is interested in collecting feedback on whether your pharmacy is receiving the updated dispensing fees from TennCare and other obligated payors. Please reach out to olivia@tnpharm.org with any feedback or questions  

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

Effective November 1, BD is the sole preferred manufacturer of insulin syringes and pen needles. Please refer to the OTC list for a list of covered NDCs. The updated OTC list, including covered NDCs, was posted to the Optum Rx TennCare website on November 1, 2023. Please refer to the November Provider Notice and contact TNRxEducation@optum.com with any questions. 

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