What does DAW 2 signify regarding medication dispensing?

DAW 2 indicates that the prescriber permits generic substitution. This mechanism communicates to the pharmacy that while a specific brand-name medication has been prescribed, the prescriber is also open to allowing a generic equivalent to be dispensed if it is available. This is essential for managing medication costs and ensuring patient accessibility to necessary treatments while still adhering to the prescriber's intent.

Understanding this designation is critical for pharmacy professionals, as it influences how medications are handled and ensures that patients receive the most cost-effective options when available. In practice, if a prescriber writes "DAW 2," pharmacists will typically fulfill the prescription with the generic version as a first choice, unless the patient explicitly requests the brand-name product.