Drug Plan Substitutions Forum: Special handling required

Drug plan cost increases have levelled in recent years due to the large number of high-volume medications becoming available in generic form and provincial drug reforms driving down the price of generic drugs. At the same time, some insurance carriers have automatically implemented mandatory generic substitution policies on the majority of their plans (giving plan sponsors the option to opt out if they choose). While generic substitution can help control drug plan costs, it does not always result in therapeutic equivalence in individual patients, and could lead to decreased efficacy and/or increased safety concerns.