Become an Endorsing Practitioner

What is therapeutic interchange?

When a Washington State licensed practitioner endorses the Washington Preferred Drug List (PDL) and prescribes a drug for a patient, pharmacies will automatically interchange a preferred drug for any nonpreferred drug in that therapeutic class. After making the interchange, the pharmacist will notify the practitioner of the drug and dosage dispensed to the patient.

No interchange is allowed if the prescription is for a refill of a/an:

• Antipsychotic
• Antidepressant
• Chemotherapy
• Antiretroviral
• Immunosuppressive
• Immunomodulator/antiviral treatment for hepatitis C for which an established, fixed duration of therapy is prescribed for at least twenty-four weeks but no more than forty-eight weeks, in which case the pharmacist shall dispense the prescribed nonpreferred drug.

Why become an Endorsing Practitioner?

As a licensed practitioner who endorses the Washington PDL, when you prescribe a drug for a patient covered by the Department of Labor and Industries, Uniform Medical Plan, or Apple Health Fee-For-Service, pharmacies will automatically interchange a preferred drug for a prescribed nonpreferred drug in that therapeutic class. You can indicate "Dispense As Written" (DAW) on a prescription and no substitution will be made. This saves prescriber time by eliminating prior authorizations for nonpreferred drugs.

How long will it take for my endorsement status to update?

Your status as an Endorsing Practitioner will take effect in five business days after submittal of the completed form.

Preferred Drug List (PDL) process

The Pharmacy and Therapeutic (P&T) Committee evaluates the relative safety, efficacy, and effectiveness of prescription drugs prior to placement on the Washington PDL. The P&T Committee then makes recommendations for the status of the drug on the Washington PDL. The P&T Committee also serve as the Medicaid Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board as required by federal law. The P&T Committee/ DUR Board meet at least quarterly and the meetings are open to the public.

Evidence-based review process

Washington State contracts with the Center for Evidence-Based Policy, at Oregon Health and Science University to independently review prescription drugs comparing the safety and effectiveness of the drugs included on the Washington Preferred Drug List.