WAC 182-50-200   Endorsing practitioner therapeutic interchange program; effect of practitioner's endorsing status; dispense as written instructions.  (1) When filling prescriptions for participating state purchased health care programs, pharmacists shall dispense a preferred drug in place of a drug not included in the preferred drug list in a given therapeutic class whenever pharmacists receive a prescription from an endorsing practitioner except:

     (a) If the endorsing practitioner determines the nonpreferred drug is medically necessary by indicating "dispense as written" on the prescription; or

     (b) If the prescription is a refill of an antipsychotic, antidepressant, chemotherapy, antiretroviral, or immunosuppressive drug, or for the refill of a immunomodulator/antiviral treatment for hepatitis C for which an established, fixed duration of therapy is prescribed for at least twenty-four weeks but no more than forty-eight weeks.

     (2) When a therapeutic interchange is made, the pharmacist shall notify the endorsing practitioner of the specific drug and dose dispensed.

     (3) When a nonendorsing practitioner issues a prescription for a drug not included in the preferred drug list, the pharmacist shall dispense the prescribed drug in accordance with the requirements of RCW 69.41.100 through 69.41.180.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.160 and 69.41.180. 07-19-031 (Order 07-03), § 182-50-200, filed 9/12/07, effective 10/13/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.160; 2004 1st sp.s. c 29 § 10. 04-06-021 (Order 03-02), § 182-50-200, filed 2/23/04, effective 3/25/04.]