To help manage the costs associated with prescription drugs, your benefits plan includes mandatory generic substitution.

With a mandatory generic drug plan, any prescribed drug cost cannot exceed the price of the lower cost alternative drug, which is typically a “generic” drug.

• If the drug you are prescribed is a “brand-name drug,” and there is no generic or interchangeable drug, your plan will reimburse you the cost of the brand-name drug.
• If there is a generic drug and you choose to buy the brand-name drug, your plan will reimburse you the cost of the generic drug only.
• In some instances, you may experience an adverse reaction to the generic drug, or it is therapeutically ineffective. You will need to submit medical evidence to support why the brand-name drug is being prescribed. To get approved for a brand-name drug, you need to complete the Request for Approval of Brand-Name Drug form (www.otip.com/forms), have it signed by your doctor and return it to the address on the form. If approved, you will be paid back the cost of the brand-name drug.

Here’s an example¹ of how mandatory generic substitution works:

When filling a prescription – speak up!
In many provinces, pharmacists will automatically dispense the generic alternative as part of their standard practice unless the prescribing doctor has indicated that “no substitutions” should be made. If your doctor has indicated “no substitution,” you can ask your pharmacist to dispense the generic drug – or you can accept the brand-name drug and pay the price difference between the brand-name and the generic drugs.

Questions regarding your drug plan? You can contact OTIP Benefits Services at 18667836847.