Chattem (CHTT) 8-K Departure of Directors or Principal Officers

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 12, 2006

CHATTEM, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Tennessee 0-5905 62-0156300

(State of incorporation) (Commission File No.) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

1715 West 38^th Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37409

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(423) 821-4571

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

(b) Richard E. Cheney, a director of the Company since 1984, retired from the Board of Directors upon the expiration of his term on April 12, 2006.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	CHATTEM, INC.
Date: April 13, 2006	By:	/s/ Theodore K. Whitfield, Jr.
		Theodore K. Whitfield, Jr.
		Vice President and General Counsel