DIDFA & ODBA Flashcards
What does DIDFA mean and is it a national or provincial act?
DIDFA = Drug Interchangeability and Dispensing Fee Act
This is provincial legislation
Does DIDFA apply to all pharmacies?
Does not apply to dispensing of a drug in a public hospital
How does DIDFA define an interchangeable product?
A drug or combination of drugs in a particular dosage form and strength identified by a “specific product name” or manufacturer and designated as interchangeable with one or more other products
Who is the person who can designate products as interchangeable and what is their other role?
The Executive Officer
Must also ensure that only high quality, affordable drugs are listed as interchangeable
What are the two main purposes of the ODB dormulary?
- Provides listing of all products designated as interchangeable in Ontario
- Identifies all interchangeable products that are eligible for reimbursement under the ODBA
What is OFI?
OFI = off formulary interchangeability
it is the application of interchangeable designations to drug products where the brand names are not listed as ODB benefits
What conditions must a dispenser consider for all prescriptions (regarding interchangeability)?
- The patient has a right to choose an interchangeable product or ask for no substitution
- If the brand name is dispensed, the patient must be informed that there are interchangeable products
- Interchangeable product may be dispensed without informing the patient as long as the product is the lowest cost in inventory
What options are available to the patient and the dispenser when dispensing a “not a benefit” product?
- The patient could pay for the prescription
- If the patient cannot pay for it, the pharmacist can contact the prescriber to recommend an alternative that is covered
What is contained in section 4 of DIDFA?
- 6 subsections with basic rules for interchangeability
- set of cascading principles where each subsection is dependent on the previous or next subsection
What does DIDFA subsection 4(1) indicate?
If a prescription says to dispense a brand name, the dispenser has the authority to change it to a designated interchangeable product
*interchangeability is allowed but not required
What does DIDFA section 4 (2) indicate?
The patient right to request an interchangeable product; the dispenser MUST do this
What does DIDFA section 4 (3) indicate?
Informing the patient; if the dispenser gives the brand name, the patient is entitled to know that there are interchangeable options
*this typically happens when an interchangeable product is not in the inventory
What does DIDFA section 4 (4a) indicate?
Exceptions to informing patients of their rights; subsection 3 does not apply if the brand name product is not more expensive than the lowest cost interchangeable product in the dispensers inventory
What does DIDFA section 4(4c) indicate?
Exceptions to informing patients of their rights; patient does not need to be told about interchangeable products if the product is a refill
*however, anytime a brand is switched, the patient must be informed
What does DIDFA section 4(5) indicate?
If a drug is not in the formulary, but there is an interchangeable product listed in the formulary (same API, dose and dosage form), it may be substituted
*normally happens with newly approved products available on the market
What does DIDFA section 4(6) indicate?
No substitutions request; a prescriber may indicate “no substitution” which cancels the requirements for interchangeability in the first three subsections and subsection 5
What does DIDFA section 5 indicate?
Dispensing generic drugs; for a prescription written without indication of brand or manufacturer, the dispenser must dispense an interchangeable product as listed in the formulary
*if there is none listed in the formulary, the dispenser can choose any product with the same API and the same dosage form
The regulations listed in DIDFA outline requirements surrounding which four things?
- Yellow signs
- Quantity dispensed
- Prescription receipts
- Purchase records
What are the two yellow signs that must be displayed in the pharmacy where patients can see upon presenting a prescription?
- Notice to patients
2. U & C dispensing fee
What information is displayed on the “notice to patients sign”?
- patient right to request an interchangeable product
- it is the patient’s choice to have the prescription as written or to have an interchangeable product instead and they must let the dispenser know
- dispenser may choose an interchangeable product but the patient must be informed
What information is displayed on the “U&C dispensing fee” sign?
- usual and customary dispensing fee of the pharmacy
- informs patients of the services that may be offered by the pharmacy and are included in the U&C dispensing fee
Who determines the U&C dispensing fee?
The owner of the pharmacy
*must be reported to the OCP and they must be informed of any changes
Can a pharmacy charge more than their U&C dispensing fee?
Yes but there must be a documented reason for the change and the patient must be informed of the reason and the total fee
What does DIDIFA require in respect to the quantity of drug dispensed?
The dispenser must give the entire quantity of drug prescribed (not including refills) unless the patient or patient’s agent requests a smaller amount
*if a smaller amount is requested, the patient must authorize this in writing
What are the exceptions to the DIDFA requirement to dispense the entire quantity as written?
Not in the best interest of the patient to give the whole quantity:
- Quantity prescribed may be dangerous
- Stability of the product may not warrant the prescribed quantity
OR
Agreements with insurance providers or plans require the dispensed amount to be less; in this case, the insurer is acting as the patient’s agent
What does DIDFA require to be included on the prescription receipt?
- Dispensing fee
- Cost of drug - including markup
- Total price of prescription
Is the pharmacist signature a requirement on the prescription receipt?
No but it is good practice
Are DIDFAs requirements applicable to non-prescription products?
No, only those pursuant to a prescription
How long must purchase records be kept in the pharmacy as regulated by DIDFA?
at least 2 years from the date when the invoice was first received
What are the amendments that were made to the DIDFA?
- financial cap removed on Ordinary Commercial Term (OCT) benefits
- Private Label Products can now be designated as listed drug products or interchangeable drug products in the formulary
What does ODBA stand for and what is it?
`Ontario Drug Benefit Act (ODB Act) –> provincial law and applies to the reimbursement of drugs under the ODB program and dispensing of medications in Ontario
Why was the ODBA introduced?
to ensure that drug benefits are available to those most at risk and to those who may not be able to afford drugs
Do pharmacy operators need to participate in the ODB program?
No, they are able to opt out
What is the Ontario Regulation 201/96?
The regulation to the ODBA which:
- clarifies intent of act
- clarifies role of the Executive Officer
- introduces processes to implement the intent of the act
- introduces a number of new definitions and concepts
What are the differences between DIDFA and ODBA?
- DIDFA applies to every single prescription dispensed in Ontario
- ODBA does not apply to the private or “out-of-pocket” sector of the healthcare system
- ODBA ONLY applies to prescriptions receiving eligible drugs as listed in the formulary
What are the subgroups of Healthcare payments in Canada?
- Public sector: publicly funded by the government
2. Private sector: private insurance or paying “out-of-pocket”
What are the 5 principles that ODB Act is based on?
- Meet needs of Ontarians as patients, consumers and taxpayers
- Involve consumers and patients in a meaningful way
- Operate transparently to the extent possible for all persons with an interest in the system
- Consistently achieve value-for-money and ensure best use of resources
- Funding decisions are made on the best clinical and economic evidence available; openly communicated in a timely manner
Who is included int he list of persons interested in the ODB system?
- patients
- health care practitioners
- consumers
- manufacturers
- wholesalers
- pharmacies
Who establishes the pharmacy council?
Minister of health
Who are the co-chairs of the Pharmacy Council?
Representatives of the Ministry of Health and the Ontario Pharmacists Association
What does the Pharmacy Council do?
- ensures involvement of pharmacists in the development of pharmaceutical health policy
- allows pharmacists to provide advice to the Executive Officer and Minister of Health
- involved in defining and implementing a pharmacist’s professional services
How is Executive Officer defined in the ODBA?
Executive officer replaces the Minister of Health in administering both ODBA and DIDFA –> extensive powers, some include:
- designate products listed as drug products and substances
- designate products as interchangeable with others under DIDFA