Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) Practice Exam

What is the purpose of a dispensing code when a physician prescribes DAW?

1. To indicate partial fills

2. To substitute a generic equivalent

3. To specify brand name only

4. To allow billing adjustments

The correct answer is: To specify brand name only

The purpose of a dispensing code when a physician prescribes DAW (Dispense As Written) is to indicate that the medication should be dispensed as the brand name product only. When a physician uses a DAW directive, they are instructing the pharmacy not to substitute a generic equivalent for the brand-name drug. This is crucial in cases where the healthcare provider feels that the specific brand medication is necessary for the patient's treatment, possibly due to its efficacy or tolerability compared to generics. The DAW code serves as a communication tool between prescribers, pharmacists, and payers to ensure that treatment is aligned with the physician's intent. Since the purpose of the DAW is specifically about brand name prescriptions, it clarifies that substitutions are not allowed, making it clear to pharmacists that they must provide the prescribed brand rather than a generic version.