Therapeutic substitution is allowed only if an institution is?

Therapeutic substitution is a practice where a patient’s prescribed medication is replaced with a different drug that is therapeutically similar but not identical. This practice is generally allowed only under specific circumstances to ensure patient safety and efficacy in treatment.

When an institution uses a formulary system, it has established a list of approved medications that have been evaluated for safety, effectiveness, and cost-efficiency. This system allows for the selection of the best therapeutic options for patients, ensuring that any substitutions made are clinically justified and backed by evidence. Therefore, therapeutic substitution aligns with the institution's defined criteria and protocols, promoting rational medication use.

In contrast, the other options do not provide the same level of assurance regarding patient safety and the appropriateness of medication substitution. For example, simply being located in a rural area does not necessarily imply that the institution has the necessary oversight or protocols in place for therapeutic substitution. Similarly, being part of a national network or registered with the state board might not inherently relate to the evidence-based criteria required for making informed therapeutic decisions. Thus, a formulary system is the essential framework that supports safe and effective therapeutic substitution.