Tennessee Code Title 53. Food, Drugs and Cosmetics § 53-10-204

(a) The prescriber shall allow for substitution with a generic equivalent of a brand name drug or drug product under all circumstances, unless:

(b) If the prescriber determines a brand name drug or drug product is medically necessary for a patient, the prescriber shall, in the prescriber's own handwriting, place the instruction showing intent upon the prescription at the time it is prepared and issued. For the purposes of this subsection (b), instructions showing intent may include, but not be limited to, the following language:

(c) If the prescriber determines a brand name drug or drug product is medically necessary for a patient and that prescription order is issued verbally, the prescriber shall alert the pharmacist that use of the brand name drug or drug product is medically necessary for the patient.

(d) If the prescriber determines a brand name drug or drug product is medically necessary for a patient and that prescription order is issued by the prescriber in the form of an electronic prescription order or facsimile prescription order, the prescriber shall place, or cause to be placed, the proper instruction on the electronic prescription order or facsimile prescription order prior to it being transmitted to the pharmacist.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a prescriber from informing a patient of the prescriber's professional opinion as to the capabilities, effectiveness and acceptability of any drug.