I was prescribed a medication, but CVS Pharmacy substituted it with a generic version without asking me. What should I do?

If CVS Pharmacy substituted your prescribed medication with a generic version without asking, your first step should be to contact the pharmacy directly. Pharmacists often substitute brand-name drugs with generics if permitted by your doctor, insurance, or state regulations, as generics are typically more cost-effective. However, they should inform you of any changes.

You can request that they provide the original brand medication if you prefer it, though this may affect the price or insurance coverage. To prevent this from happening again, ask your doctor to specify “dispense as written” on future prescriptions, which instructs the pharmacy to avoid substitutions. If needed, escalate the issue with CVS customer care or your insurance provider.

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