DAW 5 indicates what policy about medication dispensing?

DAW 5 signifies that substitution of medication can take place, but it is at the discretion of the pharmacy to decide whether to dispense the brand-name medication. This allows pharmacists some level of flexibility; they may choose to fill the prescription with the brand-name medication instead of a generic option based on their judgment about efficacy, patient preferences, or other factors.

This practice supports a scenario where a pharmacist might believe that the specific brand-name product is more suitable for a patient, even though a generic alternative is available. It is also important to consider that DAW codes are used to indicate the reason for the preference, influencing billing and reimbursement processes.

In contrast, options that imply mandatory dispensing of a brand or restrictions on substitution do not accurately reflect the nuances of DAW 5, as it highlights the flexibility afforded to pharmacies in deciding whether to use brand-name products while still allowing for generics to be used if deemed appropriate.