I85PREP
⌘ K
HK Pharmacist Registration study materials
HK Pharmacist Registration study resources

HK Pharmacist Registration practice questions

One question at a time. Build your HK Pharmacist Registration understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138), which body is the statutory authority responsible for the registration of pharmacists in Hong Kong?

  1. The Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong Correct answer.
  2. The Hospital Authority
  3. The Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong
  4. The Medical Council of Hong Kong

Explanation

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong is the statutory body established under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance to administer pharmacist registration and related regulatory functions. The other bodies regulate different professions or are service providers rather than registration authorities.

Question 2Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A person wishes to be registered as a pharmacist in Hong Kong. Which of the following is a core statutory requirement under Cap. 138?

  1. Having at least five years of hospital pharmacy experience
  2. Holding membership of any overseas pharmacy association
  3. Holding a valid first-aid certificate
  4. Holding a degree or diploma recognised by the Board together with passing the required examination Correct answer.

Explanation

Registration requires an approved qualification (a degree or diploma recognised by the Board) and satisfaction of examination and practical requirements set by the Board. Membership of a foreign association, first-aid certification, or a fixed number of hospital years is not the statutory basis for registration.

Question 3Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Which legislation primarily controls the manufacture, sale, and possession of poisons in Hong Kong?

  1. The Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134)
  2. The Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132)
  3. The Trade Descriptions Ordinance (Cap. 362)
  4. The Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) Correct answer.

Explanation

The Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and its subsidiary legislation govern poisons, including classification, labelling, record-keeping, and sale restrictions. Cap. 134 deals with dangerous drugs, Cap. 132 with public health, and Cap. 362 with trade descriptions.

Question 4Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

In Hong Kong, a preparation listed in the First Schedule to the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations may generally be sold only where?

  1. In a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist Correct answer.
  2. In any licensed grocery store
  3. In a convenience store during business hours
  4. At a market stall with the vendor's written record

Explanation

First Schedule poisons are subject to pharmacy-only sale and must be sold in a registered pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. General retail outlets cannot sell them.

Question 5Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Which of the following best describes a 'poison' for the purposes of Cap. 138?

  1. Any substance specified in the Schedules to the Ordinance or its regulations Correct answer.
  2. Any chemical used in a laboratory
  3. Any medicine requiring a doctor's prescription
  4. Any substance that is harmful if taken in excess

Explanation

The Ordinance defines poisons by reference to substances listed in its Schedules rather than by a general harm-based test. This makes the legal classification depend on the scheduled lists, not on broad pharmacological effects.

Question 6Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A registered pharmacist wishes to operate a retail pharmacy. Which authorisation is required under Cap. 138?

  1. A pharmacy licence issued by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board Correct answer.
  2. A dangerous goods licence
  3. A business registration certificate alone
  4. A food factory licence

Explanation

Retail pharmacy operation requires a pharmacy licence granted under the Ordinance, in addition to ordinary business registration. The licence is the specific authorisation that permits retail sale of poisons.

Question 7Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Which of the following is a key record-keeping obligation for the sale of poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations?

  1. Recording sales only at the end of each financial year
  2. Recording sales only when the buyer requests a receipt
  3. Recording sales only for transactions above a fixed dollar value
  4. Recording particulars of the sale in a poison register at the time of sale Correct answer.

Explanation

The Regulations require entries to be made in a poison book or register at the time of sale, capturing details such as the date, purchaser, and quantity. Periodic or value-based recording does not satisfy the requirement.

Question 8Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A customer asks to buy a large quantity of a scheduled poison without a prescription. Under Cap. 138, what should the pharmacist consider first?

  1. Whether the sale is permitted for that poison and whether a prescription or specific authorisation is required Correct answer.
  2. Whether the customer has a loyalty card
  3. Whether the customer can pay in cash
  4. Whether the pharmacy has excess stock

Explanation

The pharmacist must first determine the legal classification of the poison and whether sale requires a prescription or other restriction. Commercial or payment considerations do not override the statutory controls.

Question 9Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Which of the following statements about labelling of poisons under the subsidiary legislation is correct?

  1. Poisons require only a price label
  2. Poisons may be sold unlabelled if the buyer is known to the pharmacist
  3. Poisons must be labelled only when sold to another business
  4. Poisons must bear a label with the prescribed warning and the name and quantity of the poison Correct answer.

Explanation

The Regulations prescribe labelling requirements, including the name and quantity of the poison and appropriate warnings such as 'POISON'. These apply to sales generally, not only to business-to-business transactions.

Question 10Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A pharmacist suspects a prescription for a scheduled poison has been forged. What is the most appropriate immediate action under the regulatory framework?

  1. Retain the prescription and dispense half the quantity
  2. Decline to dispense and report the matter to the relevant authorities Correct answer.
  3. Ask the patient to sign a disclaimer
  4. Dispense the medicine and note the suspicion later

Explanation

A pharmacist should not dispense on a suspected forged prescription and should report the matter to the police or the Pharmacy and Poisons Board as appropriate. Dispensing or partial dispensing would risk unlawful supply.

Question 11Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, which of the following is a function of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board?

  1. Setting the retail price of medicines
  2. Prosecuting all criminal cases in Hong Kong
  3. Issuing hospital licences
  4. Maintaining the register of pharmacists and considering disciplinary matters Correct answer.

Explanation

The Board maintains the register of pharmacists and exercises disciplinary and registration functions under the Ordinance. It is not a general prosecutor, price regulator, or hospital licensor.

Question 12Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Which of the following best describes the role of a 'dispensary' under Cap. 138?

  1. A warehouse storing raw chemicals
  2. Premises where medicines are dispensed under the supervision of a registered pharmacist Correct answer.
  3. Any retail shop selling health supplements
  4. A clinic waiting area

Explanation

A dispensary is premises where dispensing occurs under the supervision of a registered pharmacist, subject to the Ordinance's controls. It is not synonymous with general retail or storage premises.

Question 13Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A pharmacy technician who is not a registered pharmacist wishes to sell a First Schedule poison. Which statement is correct?

  1. The technician may sell it if the buyer signs a record
  2. The technician may sell it at any time during opening hours
  3. The technician may sell it if the pharmacist is contactable by phone
  4. The sale must be supervised by a registered pharmacist present at the pharmacy Correct answer.

Explanation

First Schedule poisons require sale under the supervision of a registered pharmacist who is present in the pharmacy. Remote contact or paperwork does not substitute for actual supervision.

Question 14Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Which of the following is a requirement relating to the storage of poisons in a pharmacy?

  1. Poisons must be stored with food products
  2. Poisons must be stored in the refrigerator at all times
  3. Poisons may be stored anywhere provided staff are trained
  4. Poisons must be stored in a locked receptacle or in a part of the premises set aside for poisons Correct answer.

Explanation

The Regulations require poisons to be kept in a locked receptacle or a part of the premises set aside for that purpose, with access restricted to authorised persons. General storage or co-storage with food is not acceptable.

Question 15Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A registered pharmacist is convicted of an offence involving dishonest conduct in relation to poisons. What is a likely regulatory consequence under Cap. 138?

  1. Disciplinary action by the Board, which may include removal from the register Correct answer.
  2. Automatic promotion to a senior pharmacy grade
  3. Transfer of the case to the Medical Council
  4. No consequence if the pharmacist apologises

Explanation

The Board has disciplinary powers over registered pharmacists, including removal from the register for serious misconduct or convictions reflecting on fitness to practise. An apology does not displace the disciplinary process.

Question 16Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Which of the following statements about the sale of poisons by wholesale is correct?

  1. Wholesale dealers are exempt from record-keeping
  2. Wholesale dealers may sell only to consumers
  3. Wholesale dealers require appropriate authorisation and must keep records of transactions Correct answer.
  4. Wholesale dealers may sell any poison without authorisation

Explanation

Wholesale dealing in poisons is subject to authorisation and record-keeping requirements under the Ordinance and Regulations. Dealers are not exempt from controls and generally supply to authorised persons rather than consumers.

Question 17Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A pharmacist receives a request to supply a poison to a person who cannot produce the required authorisation. What is the correct approach?

  1. Supply it in a smaller quantity to reduce risk
  2. Supply it and record the missing authorisation
  3. Supply it if the person is a regular customer
  4. Refuse the supply until the required authorisation is produced Correct answer.

Explanation

Supply of controlled poisons requires the authorisation prescribed by law, and a pharmacist should refuse supply until it is produced. Regular custom or reduced quantity does not cure the legal defect.

Question 18Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Which of the following is an example of a substance likely to be controlled as a poison under Cap. 138 rather than as a dangerous drug under Cap. 134?

  1. A scheduled medicinal substance such as a cough preparation containing a listed poison Correct answer.
  2. Heroin
  3. Cannabis resin
  4. Methamphetamine

Explanation

Scheduled medicinal substances controlled as poisons fall under Cap. 138, while heroin, methamphetamine, and cannabis are dangerous drugs under Cap. 134. The two regimes are distinct and carry different controls.

Question 19Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A pharmacy advertises a scheduled poison for sale online without specifying that a pharmacist's supervision is required. Which concern arises under Cap. 138?

  1. The advertisement is valid if the price is displayed
  2. There is no concern because online sales are unregulated
  3. The advertisement may mislead about lawful supply and undermine supervision requirements Correct answer.
  4. The advertisement is valid if the pharmacy has a licence

Explanation

Advertising must not misrepresent how controlled poisons may lawfully be supplied; implying unsupervised availability conflicts with the supervision regime. A pharmacy licence does not authorise misleading advertising.

Question 20Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A registered pharmacist is employed at a pharmacy but is absent when a delivery of First Schedule poisons arrives. Which action is most consistent with Cap. 138?

  1. Leave the poisons in the delivery area until the pharmacist returns
  2. Ask the delivery driver to store the poisons
  3. Arrange for receipt and storage by an authorised person under procedures that ensure poisons are secured and supervised appropriately Correct answer.
  4. Allow any staff member to sign and shelve the poisons

Explanation

Poisons must be received into secure storage under procedures that preserve the supervision and security requirements, even when the pharmacist is temporarily absent. Leaving poisons unsecured or allowing untrained persons to shelve them creates legal and safety risks.

Question 21Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Which statement best explains why the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance uses Schedules rather than a single general definition of 'poison'?

  1. Schedules transfer all enforcement to the police
  2. Schedules avoid the need for any record-keeping
  3. Schedules allow precise, updatable classification of substances with tailored controls Correct answer.
  4. Schedules remove the need for pharmacist supervision

Explanation

Schedules permit specific substances to be listed and controls to be tailored and updated as evidence changes. They do not eliminate record-keeping, supervision, or the Board's enforcement role.

Question 22Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A pharmacist discovers that a colleague has been selling a prescription-only poison without a prescription over several weeks. What is the most appropriate professional response?

  1. Continue the practice to maintain consistent service
  2. Report the conduct through the appropriate channels, including the Board, and take steps to stop the unlawful supply Correct answer.
  3. Adjust the records to conceal the sales
  4. Ignore the conduct to avoid workplace conflict

Explanation

Unlawful supply of prescription-only poisons must be stopped and reported through proper channels, including the Board where appropriate. Concealment or continuation would compound the breach and expose the pharmacist to disciplinary risk.

Question 23Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Which of the following best describes the relationship between the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation?

  1. The Ordinance applies only to hospitals
  2. The subsidiary legislation applies only to wholesalers
  3. The Ordinance sets the framework, while regulations and orders provide detailed operational rules Correct answer.
  4. The subsidiary legislation overrides the Ordinance

Explanation

The Ordinance establishes the statutory framework, and subsidiary legislation such as the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations supplies detailed rules on scheduling, labelling, records, and sale. Subsidiary legislation operates within, rather than above, the Ordinance.

Question 24Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A patient presents a prescription for a poison that is illegible in the dose instruction. What is the most appropriate action for the pharmacist under the regulatory framework?

  1. Clarify the prescription with the prescriber before dispensing Correct answer.
  2. Dispense a half dose to be safe
  3. Dispense the usual adult dose and annotate the record
  4. Ask the patient to choose a dose

Explanation

An illegible or ambiguous prescription should be clarified with the prescriber before dispensing to ensure lawful and safe supply. Guessing a dose or asking the patient to decide would create clinical and legal risk.

Question 25Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Which of the following is a correct statement about the inspection powers under Cap. 138?

  1. Only the police may enter a pharmacy
  2. Inspections are limited to hospitals
  3. Inspections require the consent of the pharmacist in all cases
  4. Authorised officers may inspect pharmacies and require production of records relating to poisons Correct answer.

Explanation

The Ordinance provides for authorised officers to inspect premises and require production of records concerning poisons. Inspection powers are not limited to hospitals or dependent on consent in every case.

Question 26Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138), which body is responsible for determining whether a particular substance should be classified as a poison and placed in a Schedule?

  1. The Department of Health's medical device division, through device classification
  2. The Hospital Authority, through its internal drug formulary committee
  3. The Customs and Excise Department, through its controlled chemicals list
  4. The Pharmacy and Poisons Board, through amendments to the Schedules made under the Ordinance Correct answer.

Explanation

Cap. 138 empowers the Pharmacy and Poisons Board to administer the Ordinance, and the Schedules listing poisons are amended through the statutory mechanism the Ordinance provides. The Hospital Authority formulary, Customs and Excise, and medical device regulation each operate under different legal frameworks and cannot classify substances as poisons under Cap. 138.

Question 27Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A pharmacist wants to know which poisons may lawfully be sold only on a prescription. Which part of the Cap. 138 framework identifies these substances?

  1. The register of pharmaceutical products maintained under the antibiotics legislation
  2. The manufacturer's package insert supplied with each product
  3. The Third Schedule, which lists substances exempt from poison controls
  4. The First Schedule, which lists poisons subject to the strictest sale restrictions Correct answer.

Explanation

The Schedules in the subsidiary legislation to Cap. 138 set out which poisons are subject to particular restrictions, with the First Schedule containing those subject to the strictest sale controls including prescription requirements. Exempt substances, product registration records, and package inserts do not determine the legal sale category.

Question 28Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Which of the following persons is authorised under Cap. 138 to retail poisons in a community pharmacy setting?

  1. Any adult employee of the pharmacy who has completed in-house product training
  2. A registered pharmacist, or a person acting under the supervision of a registered pharmacist as permitted by the Ordinance Correct answer.
  3. A pharmacy assistant with five years of retail experience and a first aid certificate
  4. A visiting medical practitioner who holds a valid practising certificate

Explanation

Retail sale of poisons is tied to registered pharmacists and to supervision arrangements the Ordinance permits; the registered pharmacist carries responsibility for the transaction. In-house training, retail experience, and medical registration do not by themselves authorise retail sale of poisons from a pharmacy.

Question 29Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A pharmacy keeps a register of poisons transactions. Which detail is essential for each entry recording the sale of a poison that requires registration?

  1. The wholesale cost of the product and the pharmacy's profit margin
  2. The patient's HKID number and the name of their family doctor in every case
  3. The date of sale, the name and quantity of the poison, and the name and address of the purchaser Correct answer.
  4. The name of the manufacturer's sales representative who supplied the stock

Explanation

Poisons records must allow the transaction to be traced, so the date, identity and quantity of the poison, and the purchaser's identity and address are core entries. Commercial pricing, supplier representatives, and mandatory prescriber details are not the required particulars of a poisons sale record.

Question 30Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A prescription presented at a pharmacy is written for a poison but the prescriber's signature is missing. What is the correct course of action?

  1. Decline to dispense until a properly signed prescription is obtained from the prescriber Correct answer.
  2. Substitute a similar over-the-counter product and note the change
  3. Dispense the item and ask the patient to bring the signature later
  4. Dispense the item because the drug name and dose are legible

Explanation

A valid prescription for a scheduled poison must satisfy the legal formalities, and an unsigned prescription is not a lawful authority to supply. Dispensing and obtaining the signature later, relying on legibility alone, or substituting another product would each breach the supply rules.

Question 31Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Which of the following is a poison container requirement under the subsidiary legislation to Cap. 138?

  1. The container must state the wholesale price paid by the pharmacy
  2. The container must be made of amber glass in every case, regardless of the substance
  3. The container must be labelled with the word 'POISON' together with the name and quantity of the substance and the supplier's particulars Correct answer.
  4. The container must carry a barcode readable by the pharmacy's stock system

Explanation

Poisons labelling rules require distinctive poison marking plus identification of the substance, its quantity, and the supplier so that the product can be handled safely. A universal amber glass rule, barcode requirements, and price disclosure are not statutory labelling conditions.

Question 32Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A registered pharmacist moves to a new employer and begins practising there. What registration-related step does Cap. 138 require in connection with the practice address?

  1. Apply for a completely new pharmacist registration and surrender the original
  2. Ask the new employer to notify the manufacturer of the change
  3. Take no action, because the registration is not linked to any practice address
  4. Notify the Board of the change so that the practising address recorded against the registration is updated Correct answer.

Explanation

Pharmacist registration records the practitioner's particulars, including practice details, and changes must be notified to the Board. Re-registering from scratch, doing nothing, or delegating notification to a manufacturer does not satisfy the notification obligation.

Question 33Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Which of the following best describes the legal status of the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations in relation to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance?

  1. They are codes of practice issued by a professional association
  2. They are advisory guidelines with no binding legal effect on pharmacists
  3. They are an independent ordinance that overrides Cap. 138 where they conflict
  4. They are subsidiary legislation made under the Ordinance and must be read together with it Correct answer.

Explanation

The Regulations are subsidiary legislation made under Cap. 138 and operate within the powers the Ordinance confers, so the two are read together. They cannot override the parent Ordinance, are legally binding rather than advisory, and are not association-issued codes.

Question 34Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A community pharmacy wishes to sell a poison that falls outside the First Schedule and does not require a prescription. Which statement reflects the Cap. 138 framework?

  1. Sale is permitted freely with no conditions of any kind
  2. Sale is permitted only if the pharmacist holds a wholesaler licence
  3. Sale is prohibited unless the purchaser produces a doctor's letter
  4. Sale is permitted subject to the conditions the Ordinance attaches to that class of poison, including record and labelling requirements where applicable Correct answer.

Explanation

Poisons outside the First Schedule may be sold without a prescription, but the Ordinance and Regulations still attach conditions such as record-keeping and labelling depending on the class. A doctor's letter is not the mechanism for non-prescription poisons, a wholesaler licence is irrelevant to retail sale, and no poison class is entirely free of conditions.

Question 35Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

During an inspection, an authorised officer asks to see the pharmacy's poisons purchase and sales records. What is the pharmacist's obligation?

  1. Refuse access unless the officer returns with a police warrant in every case
  2. Provide only records relating to the current week's transactions
  3. Refer the officer to the wholesaler, who holds all relevant records
  4. Produce the records for inspection as required by the Ordinance and cooperate with the officer Correct answer.

Explanation

Cap. 138 provides for inspection of poisons records by authorised officers, and the pharmacist must produce them and cooperate. A warrant is not required for every routine inspection, records cannot be limited arbitrarily to one week, and a wholesaler does not hold the pharmacy's own records.

Question 36Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A pharmacy technician prepares a prescription for a First Schedule poison and a registered pharmacist checks and authorises the supply before it leaves the pharmacy. How should this be characterised under Cap. 138?

  1. Acceptable, because the registered pharmacist's supervision and authorisation of the supply satisfy the requirement Correct answer.
  2. Unacceptable, because technicians may never handle First Schedule poisons at all
  3. Unacceptable, because only the pharmacist may physically count or label the product
  4. Acceptable only if the technician holds a separate poisons licence

Explanation

The Ordinance requires that retail supply of First Schedule poisons occur under the supervision of a registered pharmacist, who remains accountable for the transaction. Physical handling by support staff under that supervision is not itself prohibited, no separate technician poisons licence exists, and an absolute bar on handling is not the legal position.

Question 37Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A pharmacy's poisons are stored in a locked cupboard, but the key is kept on an open hook behind the counter accessible to all staff. How does this affect compliance with storage requirements?

  1. It is compliant, because staff are all employees of the pharmacy
  2. It is compliant, because the cupboard itself is locked
  3. It is irrelevant, because storage security applies only to wholesale premises
  4. It undermines compliance, because poisons must be kept securely so that only authorised persons have access Correct answer.

Explanation

Storage rules require poisons to be kept in a secure place to which unauthorised persons do not have access; a locked cupboard with a freely available key defeats that purpose. The lock alone, employee status, or a wholesale-only application of the rules do not cure the deficiency.

Question 38Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A pharmacist is asked to supply a poison to a wholesale buyer. Which statement correctly distinguishes wholesale supply from retail supply under Cap. 138?

  1. Wholesale dealing requires the appropriate licence and is subject to its own record-keeping conditions, separate from retail sale rules Correct answer.
  2. Wholesale supply is prohibited for all scheduled poisons
  3. Wholesale supply requires only a verbal order from the buyer
  4. Wholesale supply is treated exactly like retail supply and needs no licence

Explanation

Wholesale dealing in poisons is a distinct activity requiring a licence and compliance with the conditions attached to it, including records. It is not identical to retail sale, is not prohibited outright, and cannot rest on an undocumented verbal order.

Question 39Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A patient asks a pharmacist to sell a First Schedule poison without a prescription because they have run out over a public holiday. What is the pharmacist's correct response?

  1. Explain that the law requires a prescription for that poison and direct the patient to an appropriate prescriber or emergency service Correct answer.
  2. Sell a small emergency quantity and record it in the poisons register
  3. Ask a colleague who is not on duty to authorise the sale by telephone
  4. Sell the full quantity and ask the patient to obtain a prescription afterwards

Explanation

First Schedule poisons may only be supplied on a valid prescription, and convenience or holidays do not create an exception. Emergency sales, retrospective prescriptions, and telephone authorisation by an absent colleague would each breach the supply rules.

Question 40Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Which statement correctly describes the effect of a pharmacist allowing their registration to lapse while continuing to work in a dispensary?

  1. It has no legal effect because registration is only an administrative formality
  2. It is acceptable provided the employer is aware of the lapse
  3. It is acceptable provided the pharmacist only checks prescriptions rather than selling
  4. Continuing to practise while unregistered may constitute an offence and exposes the person to disciplinary consequences Correct answer.

Explanation

Practising as a pharmacist requires a current registration, and working while unregistered can amount to an offence under Cap. 138 as well as a disciplinary matter. Employer knowledge, limiting duties to checking, or treating registration as a formality do not remove the legal requirement.

Question 41Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A pharmacy displays a poison for sale with its name and price but no indication that pharmacist supervision applies. Why is this significant under Cap. 138?

  1. It is significant only because pricing rules require supervision statements
  2. It is significant only for products sold by wholesale
  3. It is not significant, because advertising is outside the Ordinance's scope
  4. Advertising and display of poisons must not mislead about the conditions of supply, and omitting the supervision requirement can misrepresent lawful availability Correct answer.

Explanation

The Ordinance and Regulations control how poisons may be advertised and sold, and promotional material must not misrepresent the conditions under which the poison can lawfully be supplied. Pricing rules, a blanket exclusion of advertising, and a wholesale-only application are incorrect.

Question 42Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A pharmacist believes a prescription for a scheduled poison has been altered in the quantity written. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Supply the altered quantity and note the suspicion in the register
  2. Supply the original quantity guessed from context and discard the prescription
  3. Withhold supply and verify the prescription with the prescriber before taking any further step Correct answer.
  4. Report the patient to the police immediately without any verification

Explanation

Where the authenticity or content of a prescription is in doubt, the pharmacist should not supply until the prescription is verified with the prescriber. Supplying an altered or guessed quantity, or making an immediate police report without verification, is not the correct first step.

Question 43Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Which of the following correctly pairs a function of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board with its statutory basis?

  1. Prosecuting all criminal cases involving theft of medicines
  2. Issuing driving licences to delivery drivers of pharmaceutical wholesalers
  3. Considering applications for registration of pharmacists and premises, as provided under Cap. 138 Correct answer.
  4. Setting the retail prices of all medicines sold in Hong Kong

Explanation

The Board's functions under Cap. 138 include considering registration matters for pharmacists and pharmacy premises and related regulatory duties. Price setting, driver licensing, and general criminal prosecution fall outside its statutory functions.

Question 44Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A pharmacy wishes to sell a poison by mail order to a customer in another district. Which consideration is most relevant under Cap. 138?

  1. Whether the courier company holds a pharmacy licence
  2. Whether the customer has previously bought the same poison
  3. Whether the Ordinance permits supply by that method and whether the supervision and record requirements can be satisfied Correct answer.
  4. Whether the pharmacy has a social media account

Explanation

Distance selling of poisons raises questions of lawful method of supply and whether pharmacist supervision and record-keeping can be met, which are the governing considerations. Courier licensing, customer history, and social media presence do not determine lawfulness.

Question 45Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A pharmacist is convicted of an offence under Cap. 138 involving fraudulent poisons records. Which consequence is most consistent with the Ordinance's disciplinary framework?

  1. The Board may review the conviction and take disciplinary action affecting the pharmacist's registration Correct answer.
  2. The Board has no power to act once a court has imposed a penalty
  3. The conviction is automatically expunged after payment of a fine
  4. The pharmacist's registration is transferred to a colleague

Explanation

A conviction for a relevant offence can trigger review by the Board and disciplinary measures concerning registration, in addition to any court penalty. Convictions are not expunged by fine payment, registration cannot be transferred, and the Board's disciplinary jurisdiction is not displaced by a criminal penalty.

Question 46Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

Which statement best explains why the Ordinance places certain poisons in a Schedule with tighter controls than other poisons?

  1. Scheduling reflects the price of the substance rather than its hazard
  2. Scheduling is intended to protect manufacturers' commercial interests
  3. All poisons are equally dangerous, so scheduling is an arbitrary administrative convenience
  4. Different poisons present different risks of harm, so the law calibrates sale, record, and supervision controls to the level of risk Correct answer.

Explanation

Scheduling is a risk-calibration device: substances with greater potential for harm attract stricter controls on sale, records, and supervision. The claim that all poisons are equally dangerous, that scheduling protects commercial interests, or that it tracks price misstates the rationale.

Question 47Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A pharmacist is unsure whether a particular product falls within a Schedule under Cap. 138. What is the most appropriate professional approach?

  1. Assume it is uncontrolled because the product is widely sold
  2. Check the current statutory Schedules and, where doubt remains, seek clarification from the regulatory authority before supplying Correct answer.
  3. Rely on the wholesaler's verbal assurance that no restriction applies
  4. Ask a sales representative from the manufacturer to decide

Explanation

The authoritative source is the current statutory Schedules, and unresolved doubt should be referred to the regulatory authority before any supply. Assumptions from market availability, verbal wholesaler assurances, or manufacturer representatives are not reliable legal bases.

Question 48Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A registered pharmacist supervises a pharmacy where a First Schedule poison is dispensed by an unregistered assistant while the pharmacist is briefly away from the counter. Which statement best captures the legal position?

  1. The supply lacks the required pharmacist supervision at the point of supply, which may breach Cap. 138 regardless of later checking Correct answer.
  2. The supply is lawful because the prescription itself was valid
  3. The supply is lawful because the pharmacist returned before the patient left the premises
  4. The supply is lawful because the assistant followed the pharmacist's written instructions

Explanation

The Ordinance requires the retail supply of First Schedule poisons to take place under the supervision of a registered pharmacist; a valid prescription does not substitute for that supervision at the point of supply. Later checking, written instructions, or the patient still being present do not retrospectively supply the missing supervision.

Question 49Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A pharmacy proposes to destroy expired stock of a scheduled poison. Which approach best reflects the Ordinance's record and accountability expectations?

  1. Dispose of the stock through a documented, authorised process with records retained showing the identity, quantity, and destruction details Correct answer.
  2. Discard the stock in general refuse without any record
  3. Hand the stock to any customer who requests it free of charge
  4. Return the stock to the shelf with a new expiry label

Explanation

Accountability for scheduled poisons extends to disposal: destruction should follow an authorised, documented process with retained records of what was destroyed and how. Unrecorded disposal, relabelling expired stock, or free distribution to the public would defeat the controls.

Question 50Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and subsidiary legislation

A pharmacist learns that a colleague has, over months, supplied a prescription-only poison without prescriptions to known customers. What is the most appropriate response consistent with professional obligations under Cap. 138?

  1. Continue the practice temporarily to avoid disrupting patient care
  2. Escalate the matter through the appropriate channels so it can be investigated and reported to the regulatory authority Correct answer.
  3. Record the supplies in the register as if valid prescriptions had been received
  4. Confront the colleague privately and take no further action if they promise to stop

Explanation

Systematic unlawful supply is a serious matter that must be escalated so that it can be investigated and reported to the regulatory authority; private resolution or concealment is not acceptable. Continuing the practice or falsifying records would compound the breach.