Four axes from current statute and agency guidance. Teal bar = substitution/assistance/access in place; amber = permissive or absent.
| Generic substitution mandate | Permissive |
| State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program | No broad SPAP |
| 90-day fills permitted | Allowed |
| PMP mandatory prescriber query | Required by statute |
Utah permits but does not mandate generic substitution. Under Utah Code § 58-17b-606, a pharmacist may substitute a less expensive equivalent drug product unless the prescriber has indicated "dispense as written" or otherwise prohibited substitution. The substitute must be FDA AB-rated. Patient consent is required.
Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Medicaid maintains the Utah Medicaid Preferred Drug List. Most Utah Medicaid members are enrolled in Accountable Care Organizations (Healthy U, Molina Healthcare of Utah, SelectHealth Community Care). Non-preferred drugs require prior authorization initiated by the prescriber.
Preferred Drug List: View current PDL
Prior authorization contact: Utah Medicaid Pharmacy: 1-800-662-9651
Utah does not operate a Medicare-recognized SPAP. Low-income Utahns use Medicare Part D Extra Help (LIS), Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Medicaid (if eligible), manufacturer Patient Assistance Programs, and Utah SHIP (Aging and Adult Services) for Medicare enrollment counseling.
Eligibility: No state SPAP. Utah SHIP (Aging and Adult Services) helps with Medicare enrollment.
Utah permits 90-day fills of non-controlled chronic medications at retail and mail-order pharmacies. Out-of-state pharmacies must hold a Utah Nonresident Pharmacy license from the Board of Pharmacy. Utah requires e-prescribing for controlled substances. Federal CSA refill limits apply to controlled substances.
Utah operates the Utah Controlled Substance Database (CSD), under Utah Code § 58-37f-203. Prescribers must check the PMP before issuing certain controlled-substance prescriptions. Dispensers must report Schedule II-V dispensing within one business day.
PMP portal: Utah Controlled Substance Database (CSD)
Utah hosts a substantial 340B network including University of Utah Health, Intermountain Healthcare, FQHCs across Salt Lake/Provo/St. George/rural counties, Ryan White clinics, and Indian Health Service facilities.
Find a 340B clinic in Utah: HRSA OPAIS database (UT filter)
Our sister site OmniRx maintains a federal-side patient assistance program directory covering manufacturer PAPs, foundation copay assistance, GoodRx-style discount cards, and 340B locators applicable nationwide.
Once the law side is clear, the next question is which pharmacy actually has the cheapest fill. Use the RxGrab Pharmacy Finder to compare CostPlus Drugs, Costco, Walmart, Amazon Pharmacy, and other discount pharmacies on your specific medication, and read our generic vs brand explainer for the bioequivalence rules behind every substitution.
Yes unless your prescriber wrote "dispense as written." Under Utah Code § 58-17b-606 substitution is permissive.
No. Use federal Extra Help, Utah Medicaid if eligible, and manufacturer Patient Assistance Programs.
Accountable Care Organizations are Utah's Medicaid managed-care entities. All ACOs use the unified Utah Medicaid PDL.
Yes for certain controlled-substance prescriptions under Utah Code § 58-37f-203.