A pharmacist realises that a patient took home the wrong strength of a medicine but has not yet taken a dose. What should be done first?

Contact the patient promptly, correct the supply, and report the error per policy

Quietly adjust the stock record and say nothing

Phone only if the patient is known to have taken the dose

Wait to see whether the patient comes back with a complaint about the pack

A pharmacist wants to substitute a cheaper generic brand for the one prescribed. Which approach is correct?

Substitute only where regulation allows, with patient and prescriber agreement as required

Substitute only if the patient is not looking

Substitute whenever the generic costs less, with no explanation to anyone

Never inform the prescriber of any change

A man hands in a controlled drug prescription whose quantity looks altered from 10 to 40. He waits at the counter. What is the best sequence of actions?

Stay calm, verify with the prescriber on an independently found number, and report if forged

Supply the original 10 and say nothing about the alteration to anyone

Accuse him loudly in front of other customers and send him away

Return the prescription to him, say nothing and let him go

In medical ethics, the principle of non-maleficence means that the pharmacist should:

Avoid causing harm to the patient

Act to promote the patient's welfare

Distribute resources fairly among patients

Respect the patient's right to decide

A prescription for a controlled drug is presented after the validity period that applies to such prescriptions has ended. What should the pharmacist do?

Not dispense, and ask the patient to obtain a new prescription

Dispense and write the new date on the old prescription

Dispense a reduced quantity and note the late date

Dispense because the patient needs the medicine

Pharmacy law, controlled drugs and ethics

44 Gulf Prometric Pharmacist (DHA, DOH, MOH, SCFHS, QCHP) practice questions on Pharmacy law, controlled drugs and ethics, part of Pharmacy Practice, Law and Management. The first 25 are below; the first 5 with answers and explanations (tap Show answer after you have chosen), the rest in Learn with a free account.

Question 1 · Medium
A pharmacist realises that a patient took home the wrong strength of a medicine but has not yet taken a dose. What should be done first?
1. AContact the patient promptly, correct the supply, and report the error per policy
2. BQuietly adjust the stock record and say nothing
3. CPhone only if the patient is known to have taken the dose
4. DWait to see whether the patient comes back with a complaint about the pack
Show answerHide answer
Answer: A · Contact the patient promptly, correct the supply, and report the error per policy
An error found after supply should be acted on at once: contact the patient, stop use, replace the product, check for harm and be honest about what happened. The event is then reported through the incident system so that the cause can be fixed. Concealment breaks professional ethics.
- B: Hiding the error is dishonest and prevents learning.
- C: Contact is needed before harm occurs, not only after.
- D: Waiting leaves the patient at risk and delays disclosure.
Remember this
Act at once on a dispensing error: contact the patient, correct it, report it and be honest.
Question 2 · Medium
A pharmacist wants to substitute a cheaper generic brand for the one prescribed. Which approach is correct?
1. ASubstitute only if the patient is not looking
2. BSubstitute only where regulation allows, with patient and prescriber agreement as required
3. CSubstitute whenever the generic costs less, with no explanation to anyone
4. DNever inform the prescriber of any change
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Answer: B · Substitute only where regulation allows, with patient and prescriber agreement as required
Generic substitution is allowed only within the limits set by the national regulation and hospital policy. It requires that the product is a therapeutic equivalent, and usually that the prescriber and patient agree, with the patient told about the change.
- A: Concealing a change is deceptive.
- C: Silent substitution breaches transparency and may breach law.
- D: Where the prescriber must be informed, withholding it is not allowed.
Remember this
Substitute generics only as the regulation allows, with agreement as required and with the patient told.
Question 3 · Hard
A man hands in a controlled drug prescription whose quantity looks altered from 10 to 40. He waits at the counter. What is the best sequence of actions?
1. ASupply the original 10 and say nothing about the alteration to anyone
2. BAccuse him loudly in front of other customers and send him away
3. CStay calm, verify with the prescriber on an independently found number, and report if forged
4. DReturn the prescription to him, say nothing and let him go
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Answer: C · Stay calm, verify with the prescriber on an independently found number, and report if forged
A suspected forgery is handled safely and professionally. The pharmacist does not confront aggressively, delays the supply politely, verifies with the prescriber through a number found independently (not the one on the prescription), and reports a confirmed forgery to the authority. Records of the event are kept.
- A: Supplying a different quantity without checking is still an unverified supply.
- B: A loud accusation is unsafe and unproven.
- D: Returning it allows the forged prescription to be used elsewhere.
Remember this
Handle a suspected forgery calmly, verify independently and report it if confirmed.
Question 4 · Easy
In medical ethics, the principle of non-maleficence means that the pharmacist should:
1. AAct to promote the patient's welfare
2. BDistribute resources fairly among patients
3. CRespect the patient's right to decide
4. DAvoid causing harm to the patient
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Answer: D · Avoid causing harm to the patient
Non-maleficence is the duty to do no harm: for a pharmacist, this includes not dispensing a medicine that is unsafe for the patient. It sits beside autonomy (respect for choice), beneficence (promoting good) and justice (fairness).
- A: Promoting welfare is beneficence.
- B: Fair distribution of resources is justice.
- C: Respecting the right to decide is autonomy.
Remember this
Non-maleficence is the duty to do no harm.
Question 5 · Medium
A prescription for a controlled drug is presented after the validity period that applies to such prescriptions has ended. What should the pharmacist do?
1. ADispense and write the new date on the old prescription
2. BNot dispense, and ask the patient to obtain a new prescription
3. CDispense a reduced quantity and note the late date
4. DDispense because the patient needs the medicine
Show answerHide answer
Answer: B · Not dispense, and ask the patient to obtain a new prescription
Controlled drug prescriptions are valid only for a short, defined period. After that, the prescriber has not confirmed the need, so supply is not allowed. The pharmacist may help the patient contact the prescriber for a fresh one.
- A: Altering dates on a prescription is falsification.
- C: A reduced supply on an expired prescription is still unlawful.
- D: Patient need does not extend the legal validity.
Remember this
Do not dispense a controlled drug on an expired prescription; a new one is required.
Question 6 · Medium
A competent adult, fully informed of the risks, declines a recommended long-term medicine. Which response by the pharmacist best respects ethical practice?
1. ARespect the decision, record it, and offer further information and alternatives
2. BWithhold all other pharmacy services until the patient agrees
3. CMix the medicine into the patient's other products without telling the patient at all
4. DInform the patient's employer of the refusal
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 7 · Medium
A prescriber telephones a ward pharmacy to order a supply of a Schedule narcotic for a stable inpatient, saying that he will send the order later. How should the pharmacist handle this?
1. ASupply it and file the call in the diary
2. BSupply the drug and write the order on his behalf
3. CDo not supply until a written, signed order is received
4. DSupply it after confirming his name and ward with the nurse
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 8 · Medium
A pharmacist counsels a patient on a sexually transmitted infection medicine at a busy counter with other customers close by. Which step best protects confidentiality?
1. ASpeak loudly and clearly so that the patient can hear every word
2. BAsk the other customers to leave the shop while the patient is counselled
3. CMove to a private area, or speak quietly without naming the condition
4. DWrite the diagnosis on the outside of the bag so the label is clear
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 9 · Hard
During counselling, a patient tells the pharmacist he intends to harm a named colleague with a medicine he has collected. Which is the most defensible action?
1. ATell the patient's family only
2. BKeep the information strictly confidential in all circumstances, whatever the risk
3. CBreach confidentiality to warn the authorities and protect the person at risk
4. DWait and see whether he repeats it
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 10 · Medium
A prescription is presented from a doctor whose licence number is not listed in the national register and who is unknown to the pharmacy. What is the most appropriate action?
1. ADispense and check the licence later in the week
2. BDispense because the prescription looks professionally printed
3. CPhone the number printed on the prescription to confirm it
4. DVerify the prescriber's licence with the authority before dispensing
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 11 · Hard
A prescriber insists that a pharmacist dispense paracetamol 6 g daily for an adult with liver disease, saying he accepts responsibility. What should the pharmacist do?
1. ADispense because the prescriber has accepted responsibility
2. BDispense but advise the patient privately to take less
3. CDispense and report the doctor to the media
4. DDecline to dispense, explain the hepatotoxicity risk, document it and escalate per policy
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 12 · Medium
A pharmacist makes a mistake in a controlled drug register entry. How should it be corrected?
1. ATear out the page and write a new one
2. BErase the entry and write over it
3. CCross out with one line, add a dated and signed correction, keeping the original legible
4. DCover it with correction fluid and rewrite the entry in the same space
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 13 · Hard
The wife of a man with HIV, who collects his antiretrovirals, asks the pharmacist whether he takes any. She believes she may be at risk. What is the most appropriate response?
1. ATell her, and then inform the husband
2. BTell her only the name of the medicines but not the diagnosis
3. CTell her, as she is the spouse and at risk
4. DNot disclose, encourage the husband to tell her, and refer her for testing and advice
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 14 · Medium
An unconscious patient in the emergency department needs urgent treatment, and no relative can be reached. Which principle allows treatment to proceed?
1. AThe pharmacist's own personal judgement overrides all legal and ethical rules
2. BTreatment is prohibited until a relative signs
3. CImplied consent in an emergency, acting in the patient's best interest
4. DConsent is waived only for adults under 25
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 15 · Medium
A person phones the pharmacy, says he is a police officer, and asks which medicines a named customer collects. What is the best response?
1. AGive only the medicines dispensed in the last month
2. BGive the full list at once, since any telephone request from the police must be obeyed immediately
3. CAsk for the request in writing through the proper legal channel and verify its source
4. DRefuse and report the customer to the pharmacy manager
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 16 · Medium
Only one batch of a scarce, life-saving medicine remains and several patients need it. Which ethical principle should guide how it is allocated?
1. AAllocate to the patient the pharmacist knows best
2. BAllocate to the patient who can pay the most
3. CAllocate strictly by order of arrival, regardless of clinical urgency
4. DJustice: fair criteria based on clinical need and benefit
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 17 · Medium
A patient who speaks little English or Arabic is given a new anticoagulant. How can the pharmacist best ensure that consent to treatment and counselling are truly informed?
1. AUse a qualified interpreter and confirm understanding with teach-back
2. BHand over a printed leaflet in a language the patient cannot read at all
3. CAsk a child to translate the risks
4. DTell the patient to follow the label and nothing else
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 18 · Medium
A pharmacist strongly suspects that a colleague is taking opioids from the controlled drug cupboard. What is the most appropriate action?
1. AReport the concern through the responsible manager or regulatory channel
2. BWait until there is definite proof before telling anyone
3. CPost the suspicion on the staff group chat
4. DConfront the colleague privately and promise to keep it secret
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 19 · Easy
Respect for patient autonomy means that a competent adult:
1. AShould have decisions made by the family in all cases
2. BMay refuse only treatments that the doctor considers optional
3. CMay accept or refuse treatment after receiving the relevant information
4. DMust follow every recommendation made by the pharmacist
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 20 · Medium
A pharmacy retains dispensed prescriptions and controlled drug registers for the period required by the health authority. What is the main purpose of this retention?
1. ATo let the pharmacy dispense the same prescription again
2. BTo allow audit, investigation and traceability of supplies
3. CTo let staff review customers' habits for marketing
4. DTo set the prices of medicines for the next year
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 21 · Medium
A husband asks a community pharmacist for a printout of his adult wife's dispensing history for an insurance claim. The wife is not present. How should the pharmacist respond?
1. AProvide it, because spouses share each other's health information
2. BDecline, and explain that his wife must give consent
3. CProvide only the names of medicines with no doses
4. DProvide it if he shows his marriage certificate
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 22 · Medium
A pharmacy receives a batch of a branded medicine with packaging that has a different font, a smudged batch number and a mismatched hologram. What should the pharmacist do?
1. AQuarantine the batch, do not supply it, and report to the regulator
2. BRepack the tablets into plain containers
3. CReturn the damaged boxes to the shelf for use by pharmacy staff only
4. DSell the batch at a discount
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 23 · Medium
The handwriting on a prescription for a controlled drug is partly illegible, and the quantity could be 20 or 80. What should the pharmacist do?
1. ASupply 80 if the dose and duration written support it
2. BAsk the patient what the doctor said and supply that quantity
3. CContact the prescriber and confirm the quantity before supplying
4. DSupply 20 to be on the safe side and note it
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 24 · Medium
A local regulation limits a controlled drug supply to 14 days. A prescription asks for 28 days. Which is correct?
1. ASupply 14 days and give the rest to the patient later without a record
2. BSupply 28 days and record it as two supplies
3. CSupply 28 days because the doctor decided
4. DSupply no more than 14 days, and tell the prescriber
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 25 · Easy
What must be recorded in a controlled drug register?
1. AOnly the stock received from the manufacturer and the wholesaler
2. BOnly the supplies made on weekends
3. CEvery receipt, supply, transfer and destruction, with a balance
4. DOnly the supplies above the usual dose
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

19 more Pharmacy law, controlled drugs and ethics questions

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Pharmacy law, controlled drugs and ethics

A pharmacist realises that a patient took home the wrong strength of a medicine but has not yet taken a dose. What should be done first?

A pharmacist wants to substitute a cheaper generic brand for the one prescribed. Which approach is correct?

A man hands in a controlled drug prescription whose quantity looks altered from 10 to 40. He waits at the counter. What is the best sequence of actions?

In medical ethics, the principle of non-maleficence means that the pharmacist should:

A prescription for a controlled drug is presented after the validity period that applies to such prescriptions has ended. What should the pharmacist do?

A competent adult, fully informed of the risks, declines a recommended long-term medicine. Which response by the pharmacist best respects ethical practice?

A prescriber telephones a ward pharmacy to order a supply of a Schedule narcotic for a stable inpatient, saying that he will send the order later. How should the pharmacist handle this?

A pharmacist counsels a patient on a sexually transmitted infection medicine at a busy counter with other customers close by. Which step best protects confidentiality?

During counselling, a patient tells the pharmacist he intends to harm a named colleague with a medicine he has collected. Which is the most defensible action?

A prescription is presented from a doctor whose licence number is not listed in the national register and who is unknown to the pharmacy. What is the most appropriate action?

A prescriber insists that a pharmacist dispense paracetamol 6 g daily for an adult with liver disease, saying he accepts responsibility. What should the pharmacist do?

A pharmacist makes a mistake in a controlled drug register entry. How should it be corrected?

The wife of a man with HIV, who collects his antiretrovirals, asks the pharmacist whether he takes any. She believes she may be at risk. What is the most appropriate response?

An unconscious patient in the emergency department needs urgent treatment, and no relative can be reached. Which principle allows treatment to proceed?

A person phones the pharmacy, says he is a police officer, and asks which medicines a named customer collects. What is the best response?

Only one batch of a scarce, life-saving medicine remains and several patients need it. Which ethical principle should guide how it is allocated?

A patient who speaks little English or Arabic is given a new anticoagulant. How can the pharmacist best ensure that consent to treatment and counselling are truly informed?

A pharmacist strongly suspects that a colleague is taking opioids from the controlled drug cupboard. What is the most appropriate action?

Respect for patient autonomy means that a competent adult:

A pharmacy retains dispensed prescriptions and controlled drug registers for the period required by the health authority. What is the main purpose of this retention?

A husband asks a community pharmacist for a printout of his adult wife's dispensing history for an insurance claim. The wife is not present. How should the pharmacist respond?

A pharmacy receives a batch of a branded medicine with packaging that has a different font, a smudged batch number and a mismatched hologram. What should the pharmacist do?

The handwriting on a prescription for a controlled drug is partly illegible, and the quantity could be 20 or 80. What should the pharmacist do?

A local regulation limits a controlled drug supply to 14 days. A prescription asks for 28 days. Which is correct?

What must be recorded in a controlled drug register?