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To ensure the affordability of the pharmacy benefit, Anthem Blue Cross developed the Preferred Drug Program (PDP). Flexible and sensitive to patient needs, the program requires the active participation of the doctor and the pharmacist. Ultimately, the PDP minimizes the prescribing of specific higher-cost, lower-value prescription drugs (non-preferred medications) and redirects those prescriptions to more cost effective medications (preferred medications). Anthem Blue Cross always defers to the physician's decision. If a patient requires a non-preferred medication, it can be obtained through the Prior Authorization process or the prescribing physician can denote "dispense as written" (DAW) on the written or verbal prescription. The DAW reference communicates that the patient must take the exact drug as prescribed by the physician.
Members should refer to their Evidence of Coverage (EOC) for benefit details, exclusions and limitations.
New FDA-approved drugs will be added to the PDP as non-preferred drugs, pending review through the Pharmacy & Therapeutics process.
This program does not apply to Medi-Cal and Healthy Families.
