MCQ with answers
Pharmacy Act, 1948
10 explained questions below · 78 on this instrument in the practice banks · Act as amended; Education Regulations 2020 and the Exit Examination Regulations 2022 in force.
The Pharmacy Act, 1948 regulates the profession, not the product: it created the Pharmacy Council of India, gave it the power to prescribe the minimum education for a pharmacist through the Education Regulations, set up State Pharmacy Councils to maintain registers, and — in Section 42 — reserved the compounding and dispensing of medicines on a medical practitioner's prescription to registered pharmacists. For a pharmacist candidate this is the Act that defines the job; for a drugs inspector it is the reason a sale licence needs a qualified person behind the counter.
Examiners concentrate on the machinery: the constitution and functions of the Pharmacy Council of India and of State and Joint State Councils, the Education Regulations (the current Diploma regulations are ER-2020), the first and subsequent registers, the qualifications for registration, renewal and removal, and Section 42 with its penalty. Recent regulations under the Act — the Diploma in Pharmacy Exit Examination Regulations, 2022 — are starting to appear as current-affairs questions.
The questions below are served from the reviewed bank; where the bank holds the exact section, the explanation quotes it.
What the exams keep asking
- ▸Pharmacy Council of India — constitution and functions
- ▸Education Regulations — the minimum standard of pharmacy education
- ▸State Pharmacy Councils and Joint State Councils
- ▸Registers of pharmacists — first register, subsequent registration, renewal and removal
- ▸Section 42 — restriction on the dispensing of medicines to registered pharmacists
- ▸Diploma in Pharmacy Exit Examination Regulations, 2022
10 practice questions, each explained
Attempt first, then open the answer. Every explanation says why the right option is right — and, where the bank holds it, quotes the provision.
- Question 1EASY
Under Section 42 of the Pharmacy Act, 1948, medicines may be compounded or dispensed on the prescription of a medical practitioner only by:
- A)A registered pharmacist
- B)Any shop assistant under a doctor's telephone instruction
- C)Any science graduate
- D)The drug store owner, whatever their qualification
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A) A registered pharmacist
Section 42(1) of the Pharmacy Act, 1948 restricts compounding, preparing, mixing and dispensing on a medical practitioner's prescription to registered pharmacists, and the section itself provides the penalty for contravention. It is the legal foundation of the pharmacist's professional function - and of their responsibility. The sub-section carries its own proviso exempting a medical practitioner dispensing for their own patients (or, with State Government sanction, for another practitioner's patients).
Why the others fail
- B) Verbal supervision does not substitute for the personal statutory restriction on who may dispense.
- C) A science degree confers no dispensing right; registration with a State Pharmacy Council is the statutory requirement.
- D) Ownership is a commercial fact; Section 42 attaches the dispensing right to the registered pharmacist, not the proprietor.
Source: Pharmacy Act, 1948, Section 42 —
No person other than a registered pharmacist shall compound, prepare, mix, or dispense any medicine on the prescription of a medical practitioner.
Source citedfrom the Pharmacist bank - Question 2EASY
The primary function of the Pharmacy Council of India is:
- A)Select pharmacists for the Central Government
- B)Frame Education Regulations
- C)Issue drug licences
- D)Selection of Drug Inspectors for the Central Government
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B) Frame Education Regulations
PCI's central statutory function under the Pharmacy Act is prescribing the Education Regulations - the minimum standard of pharmacy education for registration as a pharmacist. Official TNPSC final key: B.
Why the others fail
- A) Recruitment is not a PCI function.
- C) Licensing is the drugs-control administration's function, not PCI's.
- D) Drug Inspector recruitment is not a PCI function.
Source: Pharmacy Act, 1948, Section 10 (Education Regulations)
AI fact-checkedfrom the Drug Inspector bank - Question 3EASY
Under Schedule F Part I of the D&C Rules, 1945 (Pharmacy License), a licensed pharmacy must have the following ESSENTIAL qualification:
- A)A graduate of any bachelor's degree program in chemistry or biology
- B)Any person holding a basic science degree with 2 years retail experience
- C)A doctor of medicine degree holder
- D)A pharmacist registered under the Pharmacy Act, 1948 with requisite qualifications and experience
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D) A pharmacist registered under the Pharmacy Act, 1948 with requisite qualifications and experience
Schedule F Part I specifies that a pharmacy must be run by a registered pharmacist with qualifications, registration, and practical experience prescribed under the Pharmacy Act, 1948. This is a non-negotiable requirement for retail pharmacy licenses.
Why the others fail
- A) The requirement is specific to Pharmacy Act qualifications, not just any science degree.
- B) Specific Pharmacy Act qualifications are mandatory.
- C) Medical qualifications don't replace pharmacy qualifications for retail pharmacy operations.
Source: D&C Rules, 1945; Schedule F Part I; Pharmacy Act, 1948
AI fact-checkedfrom the Drug Inspector bank - Question 4EASY
According to the Pharmacy Act, 1948, a registered pharmacist must satisfy which MANDATORY requirements?
- A)Only practical experience without formal qualification is sufficient
- B)Any post-secondary qualification in chemical sciences
- C)Formal pharmacy education, examination qualification, and registration with State Pharmacy Council
- D)A doctor's degree with 2 years apprenticeship in a pharmacy
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C) Formal pharmacy education, examination qualification, and registration with State Pharmacy Council
The Pharmacy Act, 1948 requires that pharmacists possess a formal pharmacy qualification, successfully pass standardized examinations, and maintain active registration with their State Pharmacy Council. This ensures professional standards and accountability.
Why the others fail
- A) Formal pharmacy education and qualification are mandatory.
- B) Specific pharmacy qualification is required, not just any chemical science background.
- D) Medical qualifications don't substitute for pharmacy qualifications.
Source: Pharmacy Act, 1948; Registration and Qualification Provisions
AI fact-checkedfrom the Drug Inspector bank - Question 5EASY
Under the D&C Act, the term 'pharmacist' or 'pharmacy' has specific legal meaning. Which entity can establish itself as a pharmacy?
- A)A store with chemistry background and prescription handling experience
- B)Any person with business registration and capital
- C)A registered pharmacist meeting Pharmacy Act 1948 qualifications and having a valid license
- D)A doctor or nurse who has completed short pharmacy course
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C) A registered pharmacist meeting Pharmacy Act 1948 qualifications and having a valid license
The legal definition of 'pharmacy' under the D&C Act (Section 3(i)) ties directly to the Pharmacy Act 1948, requiring a registered pharmacist with prescribed qualifications and maintaining active registration.
Why the others fail
- A) Formal pharmacy registration is mandatory.
- B) Pharmacy requires qualified pharmacist.
- D) Specific pharmacy qualifications are required.
Source: Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940; Section 3(i); Pharmacy Act, 1948
AI fact-checkedfrom the Drug Inspector bank - Question 6EASY
The Pharmacy Act was passed in the year:
- A)1940
- B)1945
- C)1948
- D)1930
Show answer & explanation
Answer: C) 1948
The Pharmacy Act, regulating the pharmacy profession and constituting the PCI, was enacted in 1948. Official TNPSC final key: C.
Why the others fail
- A) 1940 is the Drugs and Cosmetics Act's year.
- B) 1945 is the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules' year.
- D) No such pharmacy statute dates to 1930.
Source: Pharmacy Act, 1948, year of enactment
AI fact-checkedfrom the Drug Inspector bank - Question 7MEDIUM
Under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, a pharmacy license issued by the State Pharmacy Council is valid for:
- A)Indefinite duration without any renewal requirement
- B)A defined period (typically 3-5 years) and must be renewed
- C)Only one year, after which the pharmacy must close
- D)Until the pharmacist retires or leaves the profession
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B) A defined period (typically 3-5 years) and must be renewed
Pharmacy licenses under the Pharmacy Act have a defined validity period (typically 3-5 years) and require renewal to ensure continued compliance with standards and payment of registration fees.
Why the others fail
- A) Licenses require periodic renewal.
- C) Renewal is permitted; closure is not automatic.
- D) License terms are time-based, not person-based.
Source: Pharmacy Act, 1948; State Pharmacy Council Regulations
AI fact-checkedfrom the Drug Inspector bank - Question 8MEDIUM
The duration of practical training for Diploma in Pharmacy is specified as:
- A)100 hours
- B)200 hours
- C)300 hours
- D)500 hours
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D) 500 hours
The Education Regulations (ER 1991, in force when this paper was set) required 500 hours of practical training over not less than 3 months for the D.Pharm. Official TNPSC final key: D.
Why the others fail
- A) Below the Education Regulations' specified duration.
- B) Below the specified duration.
- C) Below the specified duration.
Source: Pharmacy Act, 1948 - Education Regulations 1991, 500 hours practical training
AI fact-checkedfrom the Drug Inspector bank - Question 9MEDIUM
Under the D&C Act, a pharmacist working in a pharmacy has what level of professional responsibility?
- A)Only to follow owner's instructions without independent judgment
- B)To ensure drugs are dispensed correctly and only on valid prescriptions, independent of owner pressure
- C)To maximize sales regardless of patient needs or prescription validity
- D)Only to maintain records; no responsibility for actual dispensing
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B) To ensure drugs are dispensed correctly and only on valid prescriptions, independent of owner pressure
Pharmacists have an independent professional duty to patients and public health. They must exercise professional judgment regarding prescription validity, drug interactions, and patient safety, irrespective of commercial or owner pressure.
Why the others fail
- A) Pharmacists have independent professional responsibility.
- C) Patient safety is the primary duty.
- D) Pharmacists are responsible for dispensing decisions.
Source: Pharmacy Act, 1948; D&C Act, 1940; Professional Code of Conduct
AI fact-checkedfrom the Drug Inspector bank - Question 10MEDIUM
Under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, a registered pharmacist suspended by the State Pharmacy Council cannot:
- A)Take personal leave during suspension
- B)Attend professional development courses
- C)Own a pharmacy building if not actively involved
- D)Work in any pharmacy or pharmaceutical organization during suspension
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D) Work in any pharmacy or pharmaceutical organization during suspension
Suspension under the Pharmacy Act prohibits the pharmacist from practicing pharmacy—working in any professional pharmaceutical capacity. The prohibition is during the suspension period as disciplinary action.
Why the others fail
- A) Personal activities don't constitute pharmacy practice.
- B) Learning activities are separate from practice suspension.
- C) Property ownership is not practice.
Source: Pharmacy Act, 1948; Disciplinary Provisions
AI fact-checkedfrom the Drug Inspector bank
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