When is DAW code 5 used in a prescription?

The DAW (Dispense As Written) code 5 is utilized when a brand-name medication is dispensed as a generic, despite the prescription allowing for generic substitution. This situation typically arises when a pharmacist decides to substitute a medication for one that is similar in formulation but differs in branding or manufacturer.

In this context, the use of DAW code 5 indicates that although the prescriber did not specifically request to dispense a brand-name medication, the pharmacist exercised their professional judgment to select a different medication, classified as a generic alternative. This scenario is particularly relevant when the pharmacist determines that the generic version may not meet the therapeutic needs of the patient or when there may be slight differences in efficacy or tolerability between the specific brand and the generic.

The choice represents a unique situation where there is a departure from what would typically occur when a prescription allows for substitutions, focusing instead on clinical decision-making by the pharmacist.