Starting Feb. 20, 2007, Medco by Mail began using Usual Daily Dose (UDD) calculations to determine dispensing quantities for prescriptions written with physician directions such as “use as directed” or “take as needed” that do not indicate a specific quantity to be dispensed.

The purpose of this policy is to provide more uniform pharmacy practice standards and better dispensing precision, Medco said.

The use of UDD will affect new prescriptions where the directions and quantity are not specific, according to Medco.

As a result of using UDD calculations, Medco says members may receive different quantities of certain medications that they have received in the past from home delivery. Affected members will be notified of the quantity adjustment upon receipt of their medications with a statement of benefits message: “DESCR: Medication Adjustment. The amount of medication has been adjusted based on the current dosing guidelines.”

Medco notes that not all members will be affected by this dispensing change. Those members whose prescriptions are written for a specific amount of medication to be dispensed will not be impacted by Medco’s enhanced dosing calculation methodology, it said.

It is only those members whose prescription does not specify specific directions for use and a specific quantity to be dispensed who may notice a difference in the amount of medication they receive going forward, Medco said.

In instances where the physician is not clear on specific directions and quantities, Medco will use the UDD calculation to determine the quantity to be dispensed, it said.

Medco reminds members and their families to be sure to have their physician be specific when writing directions and quantity on prescriptions.

If members or their families currently have a prescription at Medco and the doctor did not clearly state the directions and quantities, please have the doctor write a new prescription and send to Medco by Mail, the company said.