Use of a preferred drug is encouraged whenever appropriate, however. The Preferred Drug List is not a generic drug list. Most of these products are certified by the FDA as bioequivalent and therapeutically equivalent to the brand name product. The generic drug industry is held to the same quality standards as the brand name pharmaceutical industry. No double standard exists for drug quality, safety and therapeutic efficacy.
Coverage requires a prescription from a physician.
Alabama Medicaid encourages the prescribing of multisource and OTC agents when appropriate. To avoid further restricting access to drugs, Alabama Medicaid has established maximum units it will authorize for payment in a given 30 day period. Requests for exceptions to the maximum units limits will be considered on the basis of documented medical necessity. The prior authorization process is applied sparingly and does not deprive any patient of any drug that is not in preferred status if it is medically necessary as per predetermined and objective clinical criteria.