Under what regulations does Virginia permit generic substitution?

Virginia law allows for generic substitution primarily based on specific state regulations. The Virginia State Law outlines the requirements and processes that a pharmacist must follow when substituting a generic medication for a brand-name drug.

While the Orange Book, published by the FDA, provides information on the therapeutic equivalence of generic and brand-name drugs, it serves mainly as a reference tool to verify equivalency rather than being the legal framework for substitution. Regulations regarding generic substitution are more comprehensively detailed in state law, which governs the practice environment for pharmacists in Virginia.

Additionally, while federal guidelines do touch upon various aspects of pharmacy practices, individual states adjust these federal standards to create their own laws regarding drug substitution. Thus, the primary authority in Virginia for permitting generic substitution revolves around the state's own laws rather than the federal level or advisory resources like the Orange Book.

Pharmacist discretion plays a role in the substitution process, but it must align with the established regulations set forth in Virginia law, which dictates when and how a pharmacist can substitute a generic medication.