Pharmacy Practice
What agency approves drug labels in Canada?
Health Canada
True or false: Pharmacists in Canada can substitute generic drugs without authorization.
True, unless otherwise indicated by the prescriber
What is a drug identification number (DIN)?
Eight-digit identifier assigned by Health Canada used to uniquely identify and track drugs.
Which soda was not invented by a pharmacist?
A. Coca-Cola
B. Pepsi
C. Sprite
D. Dr. Pepper
C. Sprite
Roche’s “Tamiflu”, primarily known as an antiviral for influenza, originated from which of the following spices commonly used in cooking:
A. Cloves
B. Cardamom
C. Star anise
D. Fennel seeds
C. Star Anise is the source of the precursor molecule, shikimic acid, which is used in the manufacture of oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
Which of the following accounts for the largest proportion of the total health expenditure in Canada?
A. Public health
B. Hospitals
C. Prescription drugs
D. Physicians
B. Hospitals
True or false. If a prescription is “Schedule 2” this means that the drug can be sold at gas stations.
False - Schedule 2 drugs do not require a prescription. These drugs are only available from the pharmacist and are kept within an area of the pharmacy where there is no public access and patient self-selection.
What is the injection angle for a subcutaneous injection?
A. 10-15°
B. 45°
C. 90°
B. 45°
Which common over-the-counter pain reliever was initially derived from willow bark?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Aspirin
C. Ibuprofen
D. Naproxen
B. Aspirin
How is “Rozyltrek” (entrectinib) administered?
A. Orally
B. Intravenously
C. Subcutaneously
D. Inhalation
A. Orally
What would be the suggested expiry date of a product compounded in a pharmacy be if it was a topical formulation that contained water?
A. 7 days
B. 14 days
C. 30 days
D. 60 days
C. 30 days
Which of the following professions are not authorized to write prescriptions in Ontario?
A. Chiropractors
B. Midwives
C. Podiatrists
D. Optometrists
A. Chiropractors
What is the purpose of a MedsCheck appointment in Ontario?
To review and optimize medication therapy for patients, ensuring proper understanding and adherence.
Which popular hair growth treatment was initially prescribed to lower blood pressure?
Minoxidil
Which animal’s genetically modified ovary cells are used in the production of “Pulmozyme”, a cystic fibrosis drug?
A. Rats
B. Hamsters
C. Guinea pigs
D. Ferrets
B. Hamsters - Dornase alfa (Pulmozyme) is produced by genetically engineered Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells
Name one commonly used pharmacy management system in Canada.
Kroll, Nexxsys, Fillware, McKesson Pharmacy Rx, PioneerRx, WinRx, PharmaClik RX, HealthWATCH, PrimeRx, Remedy’sRx Central…
Which of the following groups of individuals are not eligible for prescription drug coverage under Canada’s federal public drug benefit program?
A. Canadian armed forces
B. Refugees and asylum seekers
C. International students
D. Inmates
C. International students
If a doctor writes “Use 1 drop AU daily” on a prescription, what does AU mean?
Both ears
Which commonly prescribed anticoagulant was initially developed and used as a rodenticide, a substance for killing rats and mice?
Warfarin
Roche’s “Accutane”, a medication for severe acne, is derived from Vitamin A. This medication was originally developed to prevent which skin condition?
Skin cancer
Some medications need to be stored at cool temperatures to ensure they remain safe and effective for patients. At what temperature range must fridges be kept to store medications properly in pharmacies?
2-8°C
Name five details that must be included on dispensed medication labels in Ontario.
Patient’s name, prescriber’s name, name and strength of the medication, directions for use, dispensing date, pharmacy name and address, prescription number, quantity of medication, cautionary labels or auxiliary labels (as needed), information on storage conditions, lot number (if applicable) and expiry date (if applicable)
TALLman lettering is used for look-alike or sound-alike drug names. For example, hydroxyzine and hydralazine are often confused. Using TALLman lettering, they may be written as: hydrOXYzine and hydrALAZINE.
Identify the correct TALLman lettering for the following commonly confused drug names:
A. nifeDIPINE and nicarDIPINE
B. HYDROXYurea and hydrOXYzine
C. isoTRETinoin and TRETinoin
D. vinCRIStine and vinBLAStine
D. vinCRIStine and vinBLAStine
What psychedelic drug was first synthesized by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann while searching for a treatment for migraines?
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)
Which incredibly rare but serious bacterial infection of the skin and soft tissue would prompt immediate discontinuation from Roche’s anticancer drug “Avastin”?
Necrotizing fasciitis