What does DAW 1 indicate on a prescription?

DAW 1 indicates that substitution is not allowed by the prescriber. This code is a part of the "Dispense as Written" (DAW) codes that pharmacists use to communicate with insurance companies and to provide important information regarding how a prescription should be filled.

When a prescription has DAW 1 indicated, it means that the prescriber has requested the brand-name medication specifically and does not want a generic version or an alternative medication to be dispensed. This could be due to therapeutic reasons, such as the prescriber knowing that the patient responds better to the brand-name formulation or due to concerns about the effectiveness, side effects, or patient history with medications.

Understanding this coding is crucial for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, as it helps ensure that the patient's safety and the prescriber's intent are respected during the dispensing process.