In Virginia, is drug product selection permissive or mandatory?

In Virginia, drug product selection is permissive. This means that pharmacists have the option to select a generic drug product for a patient when a brand-name medication is prescribed, but they are not required to do so. This allows pharmacists the flexibility to consider factors such as cost, availability, and patient-specific factors when making the selection. The permissive nature supports both patient care and cost-effective medication use, enabling pharmacists to make decisions that best suit the needs of their patients while adhering to regulatory guidelines.

This is in contrast to other jurisdictions or scenarios where drug product selection might be mandatory, compelling pharmacists to always choose generic equivalents unless the prescriber specifies otherwise. Understanding this distinction helps to clarify the role of pharmacists in medication dispensing and their ability to actively participate in healthcare decisions.