TPA Seeking Volunteers: Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force

June 11, 2018

Pharmacists and pharmacy professionals in Tennessee continue to serve as essential providers in the fight against prescription drug misuse and abuse. Increasing regulatory scrutiny and a more proactive regulatory focus on the prescribing and dispensing of opioids and other controlled substances signal the need to provide more clear guidance on the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists with regard to state and federal rules and regulations.

Purpose of Task Force: To support pharmacists and pharmacy professionals through the creation and dissemination of “best practices” and other tools and resources related to the dispensing of opioids and other controlled substances, and to serve as a prescription drug abuse resource for TPA members with questions related to prevention, education, and access to treatment.

Goals:

1. To develop “best practices” for pharmacists regarding the dispensing of opioids and other controlled substances.
2. To create tools and resources for patients and healthcare providers which promote optimal medication use related to opioids and other controlled substances.
3. To serve as subject matter experts who will assist TPA members regarding pharmacy practice issues focused on opioids and other controlled substances.
4. To work collaboratively with TPA, the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on strategies to promote optimal pharmacy practice and prevent the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs, including opioids and other controlled substances.

Eligibility: Application for participation as a member of this task force is open to all TPA member pharmacists and pharmacy professionals, regardless of practice setting.

Commitment: Members of this task force will work together to achieve the goals listed above through email and/or web-based communications, and will meet in person or through virtual means on no more than a quarterly basis.

Application Process: All interested TPA members should apply  by sending an email to micah@tnpharm.org or by clicking on the button below. Apply by June 22!Coming to the TPA Summer Meeting? Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in Continuing Education sessions featuring an investigator with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), staff from the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy, and a session on buprenophine prescribing and dispensing rules and regulations. To register, CLICK HERE.

This initiative is extremely important to TPA members, the practice of pharmacy in Tennessee, and patient safety. Thank you for considering this request and for your potential involvement in the TPA Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force!