What is meant by "DAW 3"?

"DAW 3" stands for "Generic substitution permitted, but the pharmacist has selected the brand." This designation is part of the Dispense As Written (DAW) codes used in pharmacies to specify whether a brand name drug can be substituted with a generic version and under what circumstances.

When a prescription has a DAW code of 3, it indicates that the pharmacist is choosing to dispense the brand-name medication instead of the generic, even though generic substitution is allowed. This may occur for various reasons, such as brand preferences or specific formulations that may not be available in generic form.

Understanding DAW codes is critical for pharmacy technicians, as they play a significant role in dispensing medications accurately and ensuring proper communication between healthcare providers, pharmacists, and patients. The other choices refer to different DAW codes, each representing unique circumstances surrounding the dispensing of prescriptions.