Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) Practice Exam

Which dispensing code should be used for a prescription written for Norvasc 5 mg if the patient requested brand name and DAW was not written on the prescription?

1. 0

2. 1

3. 2

4. 3

The correct answer is: 2

When a patient requests a specific brand name medication and there is no "Dispense As Written" (DAW) designation on the prescription, the appropriate dispensing code reflects the manufacturer's preference for dispensing the medication. In this case, Norvasc is the brand name for amlodipine, and since the patient explicitly requested the brand, it indicates a preference for that specific product over its generic alternative. The dispensing code "2" signifies that the prescription is for a brand-name product that should be dispensed as requested by the patient, without the DAW designation restricting the pharmacist from providing the brand name. This code effectively communicates to the pharmacy's system that the brand version is to be provided to meet the patient's request, aligning with the ethical obligation to respect patient choice when possible. Overall, using code "2" indicates a situation where the brand product is preferred by the patient, thereby ensuring that their needs and preferences are taken into account during the dispensing process.