Are there any laws governing the substitution of generic drugs for brand name drugs?
In Washington, there are laws governing the substitution of generic drugs for brand name drugs. Under Washington state law, a pharmacy is required to provide the least expensive version of a medication unless the prescriber explicitly directs otherwise. That means if a generic drug is available, the pharmacist must provide it if the prescriber does not specify a brand name. For example, if the prescriber orders an antibiotic called Amoxicillin, the pharmacist must provide the generic version of Amoxicillin unless the prescriber specifically asks for the brand name. If the prescriber does specify the brand name drug, the pharmacist must provide it if the brand name is included on the Washington State Department of Health’s list of medications that must be dispensed as prescribed. This list includes certain situations where a brand name drug may be medically necessary, such as when a patient is taking specific medications that require the same formulation of a drug. In general, unless the prescriber specifies otherwise, prescription drugs issued in Washington must be dispensed as their generic equivalents.
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