Rhode Island Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence (MPJE) Practice Exam

What does therapeutic substitution aim to achieve in a clinical setting?

1. Maintain the same therapeutic outcome with an alternative drug

2. Reduce medication costs solely

3. Eliminate the need for prescriber involvement

4. Increase the number of available medications

The correct answer is: Maintain the same therapeutic outcome with an alternative drug

Therapeutic substitution is designed to maintain the same therapeutic outcome by providing an alternative medication that is expected to deliver similar clinical benefits as the originally prescribed drug. This practice often involves substituting a brand-name drug with a generic or a different drug from the same class that is therapeutically effective in treating the same condition. The goal is to ensure that patients receive effective treatment while possibly benefiting from factors like cost savings or improved formulary management. While reducing medication costs can be a beneficial outcome of therapeutic substitution, it is not its primary aim. The focus is on therapeutic equivalence rather than just financial savings. Additionally, therapeutic substitution does not eliminate the need for prescriber involvement; rather, it typically requires collaboration between pharmacists and prescribers to ensure the chosen alternative is appropriate for the patient's specific clinical needs. Lastly, while it may seem that increasing the number of available medications is a potential goal, therapeutic substitution is primarily about optimizing the treatment regimen rather than expanding the options available.