6/22-23/19
Day 2 of the TPA Summer meeting started at lunch time for me, after a family breakfast. I joined fellow students and pharmacists for lunch sponsored by my alma mater, Lipscomb University, in the expo hall. Following this, I opted for the pharmacy practice CE track.
First was a presentation by Samantha Boldin on CBD. The primary take away’s were that there are many varieties of CBD, and pharmacists need to have an active role in counseling patients who choose to take it. There are many drug interactions and potential side effects, and the likelihood that most CBD contains what is claimed on the label is relatively low according to several studies that have been done in the last few years.
Then we heard from Jimmy Torr regarding non-sterile compounding. The new USP 795 was just published June 1st, and becomes effective December 1st. As compounding is of particular interest to me, I always like learning about this topic. Primary points in this presentation included new personnel training requirements, hygiene and garbing, and BUDs based on USP 1112.
We finished up the afternoon with a presentation from the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy executive director, Reggie Dilliard. He brought several hot topics up for lively discussion including: technician duty expansion, opioid laws, workplace environment, and several others.
For the final day of the meeting, we began with 6 student presentations. One student from each school of pharmacy in Tennessee presented on various hot topics in pharmacy practice.
John Brannon from Lipscomb gave a presentation on CBD oil, Corey Bray from South on aspirin use in older adults, Lauren Dickerson from ETSU on mobile apps, Andrew Lanier from Belmont on measles outbreak, Jonathan Moody from Union on hydroxychloroquine use for diabetes, and Alex Schwaner from UTHSC on esketamine use for depression.
We finished the morning with a State of the State address from the executive director of TPA, Micah Cost. He summarized the legislative advances for the pharmacy profession over 2019. The TN Together law on opioids was updated, HB786/SB650 was passed on PBM reform, and the professional privilege tax is no longer required for pharmacists. Congratulations to TPA on the amazing legislative session full of success!
I’m so glad I made the trip back to my hometown for the TPA Summer Meeting! It was so wonderful interacting with all the student pharmacists from my home state and with all the pharmacists working hard for patients in Tennessee. I hope to continue my involvement in TPA throughout my future.
