What must be true for a drug to be prescribed as a generic substitution?

For a drug to be prescribed as a generic substitution, it is essential that the prescriber specifically indicate it. This requirement ensures that the healthcare provider confirms their willingness for a generic equivalent to be dispensed instead of the brand-name drug. In general, prescribers may indicate "substitution permissible" or another similar notation, which allows pharmacists the authority to dispense a generic version when available. This practice is aligned with both patient safety and cost-effectiveness, facilitating access to medications without direct orders for alternatives.

While having the generic in stock, patient requests, or considerations of cost can influence the dispensing decision, they do not fulfill the necessary requirement for generic substitution, which hinges specifically on the prescriber’s indication.