Question

question 42
a pharmacy technician is processing a new prescription for a patient who states they cannot afford the brand-name medication. which of the following actions should the technician take?

• consult the pharmacist about generic substitution options if the prescription does not indicate dispense as written (daw).
• contact the prescriber directly to change the prescription to a generic.
• substitute a generic without consulting the pharmacist.
• inform the patient that generic substitution is not permitted.

Explanation:

Analyze the clinical scenario

The patient cannot afford a brand-name medication and needs a more affordable option. A pharmacy technician must address this within their legal scope of practice.

Evaluate the role of DAW codes

Using the Dispense as Written and DAW Codes knowledge points:

• If the prescriber writes "Dispense as Written" (DAW), generic substitution is restricted without prescriber authorization.
• If no DAW restriction is indicated, generic substitution is legally permitted in most jurisdictions to help reduce patient costs.

Determine the technician's scope of practice

Using the Generic Substitution Regulations knowledge point:

• A pharmacy technician cannot independently substitute a medication or make clinical determinations without consulting the pharmacist.
• The technician should consult the pharmacist to verify if a generic equivalent is available and permitted under state law when no DAW is specified.

Assess the given options

• Option 1: Correct. Consulting the pharmacist regarding generic options when DAW is not indicated is the standard, safe workflow.
• Option 2: Incorrect. Technicians do not independently contact prescribers to change therapeutic choices without pharmacist oversight.
• Option 3: Incorrect. Technicians cannot substitute medications without pharmacist verification.
• Option 4: Incorrect. Generic substitution is widely permitted and encouraged to lower patient costs.

Answer:

• (A) Consult the pharmacist about generic substitution options if the prescription does not indicate 'Dispense As Written' (DAW). (Correct answer)
• (B) Contact the prescriber directly to change the prescription to a generic.
• (C) Substitute a generic without consulting the pharmacist.
• (D) Inform the patient that generic substitution is not permitted.