Pharmacist group says ‘No Brand Switching’ prescriptions deny patients a legal right

PPhA says prescription notes that block generic alternatives violate the Generics Act, potentially limiting patients’ access to more affordable medicines except in limited medically necessary cases.

Patients may be paying more than necessary if they’re being told they can’t switch to a generic medicine, with the Philippine Pharmacists Association (PPhA) saying common prescription notes such as “No Substitution,” “No Brand Switching,” and “Dispense as Prescribed” violate the country’s Generics Act.

The industry group said these annotations prevent patients from choosing a generic equivalent that contains the same active ingredient, dosage strength, and dosage form, even though the law gives them that option. Since generic medicines often cost less than branded versions, the issue carries even greater weight for Filipinos who rely on maintenance medications and face recurring healthcare expenses.

PPhA pointed to the Supreme Court’s 1989 ruling in Del Rosario v. Bengzon, which upheld the Generics Act and supported the ban on prescription annotations that could undermine patients’ right to choose. The association also reminded pharmacists that they have the legal authority to reject prescriptions that violate existing laws, while forcing them to dispense medicines despite those violations may carry penalties under the Philippine Pharmacy Act.

The group clarified that some medicines, including warfarin, levothyroxine, digoxin, lithium, as well as certain anti-epileptic and immunosuppressant drugs, may require patients to stay on the same product because changing brands could affect treatment. Even in these cases, PPhA said doctors should explain the medical reason instead of using blanket prescription notes that remove a patient’s choice. It also urged regulators to strengthen enforcement of the Generics Act and create a reporting system for patients and pharmacists.

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