South Carolina Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) Practice Exam

What defines therapeutically equivalent medications?

1. Same price point

2. Same efficacy/toxicity in the same dosage form

3. Same brand name

4. Same manufacturer

The correct answer is: Same efficacy/toxicity in the same dosage form

Therapeutically equivalent medications are defined by having the same efficacy and toxicity profiles when administered in the same dosage form. This means that these medications will produce the same therapeutic effect and have a similar safety profile in patients. For two drugs to be considered therapeutically equivalent, they must have the same active ingredient(s), dosage form, strength or concentration, and route of administration, leading to expected similar results in treating the same condition. Simply having the same price point does not ensure that two medications are therapeutically equivalent, as price is a separate consideration that does not relate to clinical effectiveness or safety. Similarly, the same brand name usually indicates that the products are intended to be therapeutically equivalent, but this is not a guarantee, as brand names can refer to different formulations or delivery mechanisms. Lastly, medications from the same manufacturer may have similar profiles, but different manufacturers can produce therapeutically equivalent products as well. In summary, for two medications to be classified as therapeutically equivalent, they must effectively treat the same medical conditions with comparable efficacy and safety, particularly when formulated similarly, making efficacy and toxicity in the same dosage form the correct criteria.