When do the DIDA subsections 1, 2, 3, and 5 not apply to a prescription?

The reason the first choice, where the prescription states "No Sub" by the prescriber, is correct relates to the authority that prescribers have under the Drug Interchangeability and Dispensing Fee Act (DIDA) in Ontario. When a prescriber explicitly includes "No Sub" on a prescription, they are indicating that the patient should receive a specific medication without any substitutions. This directive means that the applicable subsections of DIDA, which generally govern the interchangeable nature of medications, do not apply in this scenario. The prescriber’s instruction takes precedence, ensuring that no alternative medications can be dispensed, which is crucial for patient safety and therapeutic effectiveness.

In other contexts: a new customer does not inherently impact the applicability of DIDA to a prescription; scheduled drugs have their regulations but still fall under DIDA unless specified otherwise; similarly, having insurance coverage does not influence the applicability of DIDA provisions with respect to the instructions given by the prescriber. Understanding these distinctions is important for grasping how professional practice and legislative frameworks intersect in pharmacy operations.