# Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-10-105: Possession without prescription unlawful

> Tennessee · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C10_S53-10-105

## Section

- **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-10-105
- **Heading:** Possession without prescription unlawful
- **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TN Code / Title 53 / Chapter 10 / Section 53-10-105

## Text

(a) It is unlawful for any person to have in the person's possession, any drug defined or enumerated in this part, without the drug having been prescribed by a duly licensed physician, certified physician assistant, dentist, optometrist authorized pursuant to § 63-8-102(12) , or veterinarian, and having been dispensed by a pharmacy duly licensed and registered in this state, unless the person was a resident of another state and had the prescription filled by a duly licensed and registered pharmacist of the other state. (b) (1) This section does not apply to authorized agents and representatives of pharmaceutical manufacturers, firms or wholesalers. (2) Nothing in this section applies to a licensed physician, certified physician assistant, dentist, optometrist authorized pursuant to § 63-8-102(12) , or veterinarian, nor to the drugs under the control of the physician, certified physician assistant, dentist, optometrist authorized pursuant to § 63-8-102(12) , or veterinarian in the practice of that person's profession, and the exemption includes a nurse authorized pursuant to § 63-6-204 or § 63-9-113 , who is rendering service under the supervision, control and responsibility of a licensed physician, and who meets the requirements pursuant to § 63-7-207(13) . Acts 1955, ch. 89, § 1; 1963, ch. 369, §§ 2, 4; T.C.A., § 52-1206; Acts 1987, ch. 217, § 4; 1987, ch. 244, §§ 1, 3, 5; 1994, ch. 722, § 4; 1996, ch. 754, § 2; 2000, ch. 541, §§ 2, 3.
(a) It is unlawful for any person to have in the person's possession, any drug defined or enumerated in this part, without the drug having been prescribed by a duly licensed physician, certified physician assistant, dentist, optometrist authorized pursuant to § 63-8-102(12) , or veterinarian, and having been dispensed by a pharmacy duly licensed and registered in this state, unless the person was a resident of another state and had the prescription filled by a duly licensed and registered pharmacist of the other state.
(b) (1) This section does not apply to authorized agents and representatives of pharmaceutical manufacturers, firms or wholesalers. (2) Nothing in this section applies to a licensed physician, certified physician assistant, dentist, optometrist authorized pursuant to § 63-8-102(12) , or veterinarian, nor to the drugs under the control of the physician, certified physician assistant, dentist, optometrist authorized pursuant to § 63-8-102(12) , or veterinarian in the practice of that person's profession, and the exemption includes a nurse authorized pursuant to § 63-6-204 or § 63-9-113 , who is rendering service under the supervision, control and responsibility of a licensed physician, and who meets the requirements pursuant to § 63-7-207(13) .
(1) This section does not apply to authorized agents and representatives of pharmaceutical manufacturers, firms or wholesalers.
(2) Nothing in this section applies to a licensed physician, certified physician assistant, dentist, optometrist authorized pursuant to § 63-8-102(12) , or veterinarian, nor to the drugs under the control of the physician, certified physician assistant, dentist, optometrist authorized pursuant to § 63-8-102(12) , or veterinarian in the practice of that person's profession, and the exemption includes a nurse authorized pursuant to § 63-6-204 or § 63-9-113 , who is rendering service under the supervision, control and responsibility of a licensed physician, and who meets the requirements pursuant to § 63-7-207(13) .
Acts 1955, ch. 89, § 1; 1963, ch. 369, §§ 2, 4; T.C.A., § 52-1206; Acts 1987, ch. 217, § 4; 1987, ch. 244, §§ 1, 3, 5; 1994, ch. 722, § 4; 1996, ch. 754, § 2; 2000, ch. 541, §§ 2, 3.

## Nearby sections

- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-10-101 "Legend Drugs" defined](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C10_S53-10-101.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-10-102 Application of part](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C10_S53-10-102.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-10-103 Enforcement - Rules and regulations - Fines](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C10_S53-10-103.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-10-104 Selling, bartering, giving away or obtaining legend drugs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C10_S53-10-104.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-10-105 Possession without prescription unlawful](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C10_S53-10-105.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-10-106 Adulterated drugs or devices](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C10_S53-10-106.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-10-107 Fines and fees to be paid to board of pharmacy](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C10_S53-10-107.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-10-108 Violation - Penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C10_S53-10-108.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-10-109 Prescription of certain stimulants for weight control prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C10_S53-10-109.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-10-110 Contents of label - Damages in civil action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C10_S53-10-110.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-10-111 Requirements for filling prescriptions of prescribers who have died](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C10_S53-10-111.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-10-112 Prevention of abuse of drugs dispensed by pharmacist](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C10_S53-10-112.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-10-113 Off-label drug use](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C10_S53-10-113.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 53-10-201 Short title](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C10_S53-10-201.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T53_C10_S53-10-105. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.