Final answer:
Therapeutic equivalence indicates that a generic drug is equivalent to a brand-name drug, while bioequivalence involves the delivery of the same active ingredients into the bloodstream in the same time frame.
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing whether a therapeutic equivalence code meets bioequivalence, we are referring to the principles laid out by the FDA and other regulatory agencies. These guidelines ensure that a generic drug is equivalent to its brand-name counterpart in terms of dosage form, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics, and intended use.
Therapeutic equivalence means that generic drugs contain the same active ingredients as the brand-name drug, are used for the same conditions, and are equally safe and effective. However, to meet bioequivalence standards, the generic version must deliver the same amount of active ingredients into a patient's bloodstream in the same amount of time as the original drug.
If a drug meets bioequivalence criteria, it is generally accepted that it will also produce the same therapeutic effect as the original brand-name drug, assuming there are no other differences that affect the drugs' action.