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NPC B.Pharm study materials
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NPC B.Pharm practice questions

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Question 1Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Under the NPC Act, which body is the highest policy-making authority for pharmacy education and practice standards in Nepal?

  1. Ministry of Health and Population
  2. Nepal Pharmacy Council Correct answer.
  3. Department of Drug Administration
  4. Nepal Medical Council

Explanation

The Nepal Pharmacy Council is the statutory regulator established under the Nepal Pharmacy Council Act to register pharmacists and set standards for pharmacy education and practice. The Department of Drug Administration regulates drugs and medicines, while the Ministry oversees health policy broadly.

Question 2Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Registration with the Nepal Pharmacy Council is mandatory before a graduate can legally do which of the following in Nepal?

  1. Practise as a registered pharmacist and use the protected title Correct answer.
  2. Operate a general retail grocery store
  3. Manufacture surgical dressings
  4. Import raw pharmaceutical chemicals

Explanation

The NPC Act requires registration for anyone who wishes to practise pharmacy or use the title of registered pharmacist. Unregistered practice and misuse of the protected title are offences under the Act. Other listed activities fall outside the professional registration requirement.

Question 3Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Which document issued by the Nepal Pharmacy Council primarily lists the qualifications and training required for entry into pharmacist registration?

  1. The national drug schedule
  2. The hospital formulary
  3. The pharmacopoeia
  4. Pharmacy education and registration regulations Correct answer.

Explanation

Education and registration regulations made under the NPC Act specify the recognised qualifications, internship and examination requirements for registration. The drug schedule, formulary and pharmacopoeia deal with classification and standards of medicines, not registration criteria.

Question 4Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A person who has never registered with the Nepal Pharmacy Council but displays a certificate reading 'Registered Pharmacist' in a shop is committing an offence related to which matter?

  1. Violation of drug pricing rules
  2. Breach of Good Manufacturing Practice
  3. Illegal import of narcotics
  4. Misuse of a protected professional title Correct answer.

Explanation

The NPC Act protects the title of registered pharmacist so that only persons on the register may use it. Displaying the title without registration is misuse of a protected title and is punishable under the Act. The other options concern different regulatory regimes.

Question 5Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Which committee or body under the Nepal Pharmacy Council is typically responsible for hearing disciplinary complaints against registered pharmacists?

  1. The hospital ethics board
  2. The national pharmacovigilance centre
  3. The drug registration unit
  4. A disciplinary or inquiry committee constituted by the Council Correct answer.

Explanation

The NPC Act and its regulations provide for inquiry into professional misconduct, with a committee constituted by the Council to hear complaints and recommend penalties. Pharmacovigilance, drug registration and hospital ethics boards have separate functions unrelated to professional discipline.

Question 6Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A registered pharmacist wishes to have her name removed from the NPC register because she is retiring from practice. Which action is correct under the Act?

  1. Apply to the Council for voluntary removal of her name from the register Correct answer.
  2. Stop paying fees without informing the Council
  3. Transfer her registration to another person
  4. Continue practising until the Council removes her name automatically

Explanation

The Act allows a registered pharmacist to apply for voluntary removal of his or her name from the register, after which the title may no longer be used. Registration is personal and cannot be transferred, and automatic removal is not the normal route.

Question 7Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Under the NPC Act, the Council's register of pharmacists is required to be maintained in which manner?

  1. As a register maintained by each pharmacy employer separately
  2. As a register kept and updated by the Council, open to prescribed inspection Correct answer.
  3. As a private list held only by the registrar personally
  4. As an annual newspaper publication only

Explanation

The Act requires the Council to maintain a register of pharmacists and to keep it updated, with provision for inspection in the prescribed manner. It is a public regulatory record, not a private list or employer responsibility.

Question 8Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Which of the following best describes the purpose of the code of conduct issued under the Nepal Pharmacy Council framework?

  1. To list approved manufacturing machinery
  2. To determine customs duty on imported drugs
  3. To fix the retail price of all medicines
  4. To set expected standards of professional and ethical behaviour for pharmacists Correct answer.

Explanation

A code of conduct under the NPC framework guides professional ethics and behaviour, such as confidentiality, competence and avoiding conflicts of interest. Pricing, machinery approval and customs duty are governed by other laws and agencies.

Question 9Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A pharmacist registered in Nepal moves to a new district and starts working in a different province. What does the NPC framework generally require regarding her registration?

  1. She need take no action because registration is unaffected by location
  2. She must notify the Council of the change so the register reflects current particulars Correct answer.
  3. She must surrender her registration and apply afresh in the new province
  4. She must obtain a separate licence from the local municipality

Explanation

Registration is national, but the Act requires registered persons to keep their particulars current, so a change of address or place of practice should be notified to the Council. Re-registration in each province or municipality is not required.

Question 10Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Which of the following is most consistent with the renewal requirement for NPC pharmacist registration?

  1. Renewal only after passing a fresh entrance examination
  2. Renewal within the prescribed period on payment of the prescribed fee Correct answer.
  3. Renewal only when changing employer
  4. Lifetime registration with no renewal at any time

Explanation

The NPC regulations provide for renewal of registration within a prescribed period upon payment of the prescribed fee, and practice with a lapsed registration is not permitted. Renewal does not require a fresh entrance examination or a change of employer.

Question 11Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A pharmacy technician who has completed a Council-recognised course but has not yet registered assists in dispensing under direct supervision. Which statement is correct under the NPC framework?

  1. Supervised assistance is permissible, but the person may not present as a registered pharmacist Correct answer.
  2. The person may independently sign prescriptions
  3. The person may open an independent pharmacy
  4. The person is automatically a registered pharmacist on course completion

Explanation

Course completion does not itself confer registration; registration follows the prescribed process. Until registered, a person may assist under supervision but cannot hold out as a pharmacist or perform reserved functions independently.

Question 12Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Which statement correctly distinguishes the Nepal Pharmacy Council from the Department of Drug Administration?

  1. The Council registers medicines; the Department registers pharmacists
  2. The Council issues manufacturing licences; the Department sets education standards
  3. The Council regulates pharmacy professionals; the Department regulates drugs and medicines Correct answer.
  4. Both bodies perform identical functions under the same Act

Explanation

The NPC is the professional regulator for pharmacists under the NPC Act, while the Department of Drug Administration administers drug law, including product registration and licensing. Their mandates are complementary but distinct.

Question 13Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A complaint alleges that a registered pharmacist dispensed a prescription medicine without a valid prescription. Which regulatory consequence is most consistent with the NPC Act?

  1. Automatic cancellation of the pharmacy's drug retail licence by the Council
  2. Immediate criminal conviction without any hearing
  3. Inquiry by the Council with possible suspension or removal from the register Correct answer.
  4. Permanent ban on the pharmacist's family members practising

Explanation

Professional misconduct is addressed through the Council's inquiry process, which may result in suspension or removal from the register. The Council does not itself cancel drug licences, convict persons, or penalise relatives.

Question 14Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Which principle best explains why the NPC Act restricts the use of the title 'pharmacist' to registered persons?

  1. To protect the public by ensuring that only qualified, accountable persons provide pharmacy services Correct answer.
  2. To limit the number of pharmacies in each district
  3. To prevent competition from other health professions
  4. To guarantee high salaries for registered practitioners

Explanation

Title protection is a public-safety mechanism: it assures the public that a person using the title has met education, internship and registration requirements and is accountable to the Council. Economic or competition motives are not the statutory rationale.

Question 15Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Under the NPC framework, continuing professional development for registered pharmacists is best described as which of the following?

  1. An optional hobby unrelated to registration
  2. A substitute for paying the renewal fee
  3. An expected obligation to maintain competence, supported through Council-recognised activities Correct answer.
  4. A requirement to repeat the undergraduate degree each year

Explanation

The Council promotes continuing professional development so that registered pharmacists maintain and update their competence throughout their careers. It is a professional obligation supported by recognised activities, not a repetition of the degree or a fee substitute.

Question 16Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A registered pharmacist is convicted by a court of a serious offence involving dishonesty. What is the most likely effect on his NPC registration?

  1. The registration is unaffected because courts cannot influence the Council
  2. The Council must increase his registration fee
  3. The registration is automatically transferred to a colleague
  4. The Council may take action, including removal from the register, following the prescribed procedure Correct answer.

Explanation

A conviction for a serious offence is a recognised ground on which the Council may inquire and, following due procedure, remove or suspend a name from the register. The Council acts under its own Act, not by transferring registration or adjusting fees.

Question 17Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Which of the following best reflects the NPC Act's approach to the recognition of foreign pharmacy qualifications?

  1. Any foreign degree is accepted automatically without review
  2. Recognition is subject to conditions set by the Council, which may require additional assessment Correct answer.
  3. Foreign qualifications are never considered
  4. Recognition is decided solely by the foreign university

Explanation

The Council determines whether a foreign qualification is recognised and may impose conditions such as additional assessment or training. Automatic acceptance and blanket rejection are both inconsistent with a regulated recognition process.

Question 18Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A pharmacist suspects that a colleague is practising while unregistered. What is the most appropriate action under the NPC framework?

  1. Confront the colleague and collect a fine personally
  2. Ignore it because registration is a personal matter
  3. Report the matter to the Nepal Pharmacy Council for inquiry Correct answer.
  4. Report it to the local grocery association

Explanation

Unregistered practice is an offence under the NPC Act, and the appropriate route is to bring it to the Council's attention for inquiry. Individuals cannot levy fines, and ignoring the matter undermines public protection.

Question 19Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Which of the following statements about the composition of the Nepal Pharmacy Council is most accurate?

  1. It is composed entirely of foreign experts
  2. It is a single-official body headed by one registrar
  3. It consists only of pharmacists elected by the public
  4. It includes members drawn from government, academia and the profession as provided by the Act Correct answer.

Explanation

The Act provides for a Council composed of members representing relevant government bodies, academic institutions and the pharmacy profession. It is a collegiate body, not a single official or an all-foreign panel.

Question 20Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Which document would a candidate consult to find the syllabus and eligibility criteria for the NPC pharmacist licensing examination?

  1. NPC examination regulations or guidelines issued by the Council Correct answer.
  2. The national drug schedule
  3. The Good Manufacturing Practice guide
  4. The narcotics control rules

Explanation

The Council issues examination regulations or guidelines that set out eligibility, syllabus and pass criteria for the licensing examination. The drug schedule, GMP guide and narcotics rules address different regulatory subjects.

Question 21Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A pharmacy owner displays the registration certificate of a pharmacist who no longer works there. Which regulatory concern does this raise under the NPC framework?

  1. Import of substandard equipment
  2. Failure to pay the pharmacist's renewal fee
  3. Dispensing of narcotics without a licence
  4. Misleading the public about the availability of a registered pharmacist on the premises Correct answer.

Explanation

Displaying the certificate of a pharmacist who has left misleads the public into believing a registered professional is present, contrary to the Act's public-protection purpose. Renewal fees, narcotics licensing and equipment import are separate issues.

Question 22Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Which of the following is the clearest example of professional misconduct that the NPC could inquire into?

  1. Attending a continuing education seminar
  2. Maintaining patient records confidentially
  3. Dispensing a medicine without checking the prescription and concealing the error Correct answer.
  4. Renewing registration before the deadline

Explanation

Negligent dispensing followed by concealment breaches professional and ethical standards and is the kind of conduct the Council may inquire into. Attending CPD, timely renewal and confidentiality are all consistent with good practice.

Question 23Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Under the NPC Act, what is the general expectation regarding a pharmacist's duty of confidentiality toward patient information?

  1. Patient information should be kept confidential except where disclosure is required or permitted by law Correct answer.
  2. Patient information may be freely shared with any marketer
  3. Confidentiality applies only to prescriptions for narcotics
  4. Patient information must be published on the pharmacy notice board

Explanation

Confidentiality is a core ethical duty in the code of conduct, subject to lawful exceptions such as mandatory reporting or a patient's consent. Free sharing with marketers, public display and a narcotics-only limit all misstate the duty.

Question 24Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A registered pharmacist wants to open a new community pharmacy. Which combination of approvals is generally required?

  1. Municipal trade licence alone with no pharmacist
  2. Foreign university recognition alone
  3. NPC registration alone with no premises approval
  4. Premises licensing under drug law together with a registered pharmacist in charge Correct answer.

Explanation

Operating a pharmacy requires both a premises licence under drug law and the involvement of a registered pharmacist as required by the applicable rules. NPC registration alone, a trade licence alone or a foreign qualification alone does not authorise pharmacy operation.

Question 25Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Which statement best captures the relationship between the NPC Act and regulations or guidelines made under it?

  1. The Act is optional for pharmacists to follow
  2. The Act provides the framework, and regulations and guidelines supply detailed procedures Correct answer.
  3. Guidelines have no legal basis and are purely advisory opinions
  4. Regulations override the Act whenever they conflict

Explanation

The Act establishes the statutory framework, while subordinate regulations and guidelines set out detailed procedures for registration, examinations and discipline. Regulations must remain consistent with the parent Act, and neither the Act nor its rules are optional.

Question 26Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Under the NPC Act, which body is empowered to make regulations governing the registration of pharmacists in Nepal?

  1. The Ministry of Health and Population
  2. The Department of Drug Administration
  3. The Nepal Medical Council
  4. The Nepal Pharmacy Council Correct answer.

Explanation

The Nepal Pharmacy Council is the statutory body created by the NPC Act and is empowered to make regulations on registration, examinations, and professional standards. The Department of Drug Administration regulates medicines and pharmacy premises, not pharmacist registration. The Ministry and the Nepal Medical Council have no role in registering pharmacists.

Question 27Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A person applies to the NPC for registration as a pharmacist. Which core requirement must the applicant satisfy under the NPC Act framework?

  1. Being nominated by a registered pharmacist who acts as guarantor
  2. Holding membership of a recognised pharmacy professional association
  3. Having completed at least five years of practice as a pharmacy assistant
  4. Holding a recognised pharmacy qualification and passing the Council's licensing examination Correct answer.

Explanation

Registration as a pharmacist requires a recognised academic qualification in pharmacy together with successful completion of the Council's licensing examination. Prior practice as an assistant, a guarantor's nomination, or association membership are not statutory substitutes for the qualification and examination. These other conditions do not by themselves confer eligibility.

Question 28Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A pharmacist registered with the NPC wishes to practise in a second district. What does the NPC framework generally require?

  1. No new registration is needed because the NPC register is national Correct answer.
  2. Separate district-level registration with the local health office
  3. Approval from the DDA branch office in the second district
  4. A fresh application and examination in the second district

Explanation

The NPC maintains a single national register of pharmacists, so a registered pharmacist may practise anywhere in Nepal without seeking district-specific registration. The licence is not tied to a particular district or province. Local health offices and DDA branch offices do not issue pharmacist registrations.

Question 29Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Which term describes the formal process by which the NPC authorises a qualified person to practise pharmacy and use the protected title 'pharmacist'?

  1. Licensing of a drug product
  2. Registration Correct answer.
  3. Accreditation
  4. Certification of premises

Explanation

Registration is the statutory process by which the Council enters a qualified person on its register and thereby authorises practice and use of the protected title. Accreditation applies to institutions or programmes, premises certification relates to pharmacy facilities, and product licensing relates to medicines. These are distinct regulatory functions.

Question 30Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A registered pharmacist is charged with professional misconduct. Which body has the authority to inquire into the matter and impose a disciplinary sanction under the NPC Act?

  1. The pharmacy's wholesale supplier
  2. The Nepal Medical Council
  3. The Nepal Pharmacy Council Correct answer.
  4. The District Court where the pharmacist resides

Explanation

Professional discipline of registered pharmacists falls within the Council's statutory mandate, which may include inquiry and sanctions such as caution, suspension, or removal from the register. Courts deal with criminal or civil liability, not professional registration status. The Medical Council and suppliers have no disciplinary authority over pharmacists.

Question 31Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Which official publication would a candidate consult to find the current NPC pharmacist licensing examination syllabus and eligibility rules?

  1. The Nepal Pharmacy Council's published examination guidelines or notices Correct answer.
  2. The national pharmacopoeia
  3. The DDA's drug registration manual
  4. The Nepal Gazette's section on taxation

Explanation

The Council publishes the licensing examination syllabus, eligibility criteria, and related notices as part of its regulatory function. The pharmacopoeia sets medicine quality standards, the DDA manual covers drug product registration, and gazette tax sections are unrelated. The Council's own publications are the authoritative source for examination details.

Question 32Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Which statement correctly describes the legal status of the NPC register of pharmacists?

  1. It is a private membership list owned by a professional association
  2. It is a confidential document accessible only to the DDA
  3. It is a public official record maintained by the Council Correct answer.
  4. It is maintained separately by each provincial government

Explanation

The register is an official public record kept by the Council under the NPC Act, and members of the public may inspect it to confirm a practitioner's registration status. It is not a private association list, not a confidential DDA document, and not maintained by provinces. This public character supports enforcement of the protected title.

Question 33Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A person who has never registered with the NPC describes himself as a 'registered pharmacist' on a shop sign. Which principle of the NPC Act does this conduct most directly violate?

  1. The requirement to renew registration annually
  2. The duty to maintain patient confidentiality
  3. The protection of the title 'pharmacist' for registered persons only Correct answer.
  4. The obligation to report adverse drug reactions

Explanation

The NPC Act reserves the title 'pharmacist' and its protected variants for persons entered on the register, so an unregistered person using the title breaches that protection. Renewal, confidentiality, and adverse reaction reporting are duties that apply to registered practitioners and do not address misuse of the title by an unregistered person. The conduct is therefore a title-protection violation.

Question 34Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A registered pharmacist's registration lapses because she fails to renew it, yet she continues to dispense prescriptions. Which regulatory consequence is most consistent with the NPC framework?

  1. She is practising without valid registration and may face disciplinary action Correct answer.
  2. The lapse is excused if she has ten years of prior experience
  3. Her employer's licence validates her dispensing during the lapse
  4. Her registration is automatically restored when she next renews

Explanation

Practising while unregistered, including after a lapse in renewal, is a breach of the NPC framework and exposes the pharmacist to disciplinary measures. Restoration does not occur automatically, and an employer's licence cannot confer practitioner registration. Long experience does not substitute for a valid registration.

Question 35Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Which of the following best describes the relationship between the NPC Act and regulations made under it?

  1. Regulations apply only to government pharmacists
  2. Regulations override the Act whenever they are more recent
  3. Regulations must be consistent with the Act and give effect to its provisions Correct answer.
  4. Regulations may create new offences not contemplated by the Act

Explanation

Subordinate regulations derive their authority from the parent Act and must remain consistent with it while providing operational detail. They cannot override the Act or create offences beyond the Act's authority. Their application is general to those regulated under the Act, not limited to government employees.

Question 36Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A patient asks a pharmacist to disclose her HIV status to an employer. The pharmacist declines without the patient's consent. Which NPC principle supports the pharmacist's action?

  1. The duty to display the registration certificate
  2. The duty of confidentiality owed to patients Correct answer.
  3. The obligation to participate in continuing professional development
  4. The requirement to record all sales in a register

Explanation

Registered pharmacists owe a duty of confidentiality regarding patient information, and disclosure without consent is generally improper unless a legal exception applies. Displaying certificates, keeping sales records, and completing CPD are separate regulatory obligations. They do not authorise or justify disclosure of confidential health information.

Question 37Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

What is the primary purpose of the code of conduct issued under the NPC framework?

  1. To fix the retail price of medicines
  2. To prescribe the syllabus for the licensing examination
  3. To determine the composition of the Council
  4. To set expected standards of professional behaviour and ethics for registered pharmacists Correct answer.

Explanation

A code of conduct articulates the ethical and professional standards expected of registered practitioners, guiding behaviour and providing a benchmark for discipline. It does not set medicine prices, prescribe examination content, or define the Council's composition, which are governed by other instruments. Its focus is professional conduct.

Question 38Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A pharmacist qualified abroad applies to register with the NPC. What is the most accurate description of the Council's approach to foreign qualifications?

  1. Recognition is conditional on the Council assessing equivalence and any required additional requirements Correct answer.
  2. Foreign qualifications are automatically accepted without assessment
  3. Recognition depends only on the applicant's country of birth
  4. Foreign qualifications are never recognised under any circumstances

Explanation

The Council assesses foreign qualifications for equivalence with its own standards and may impose additional requirements such as examinations or training before registration. Automatic acceptance would bypass quality assurance, while blanket refusal is inconsistent with a discretionary recognition process. Country of birth is irrelevant to qualification assessment.

Question 39Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Which of the following is the clearest example of conduct that the NPC could treat as professional misconduct?

  1. Displaying a valid registration certificate in the pharmacy
  2. Referring a patient to a physician for further assessment
  3. Attending a national pharmacy conference
  4. Dispensing a prescription medicine without a valid prescription Correct answer.

Explanation

Dispensing a prescription-only medicine without a valid prescription breaches legal and professional duties and is a clear ground for disciplinary inquiry. Attending a conference, displaying a valid certificate, and referring a patient for medical assessment are all proper professional activities. They would not support a misconduct finding.

Question 40Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

How does the NPC Act generally distinguish the Council's role from that of the Department of Drug Administration?

  1. The Council regulates pharmacy practitioners while the DDA regulates medicines and pharmacy operations Correct answer.
  2. Both bodies perform identical functions under separate names
  3. The Council regulates medicines while the DDA registers pharmacists
  4. The Council handles only examinations while the DDA handles all registration

Explanation

The Council is concerned with the profession, including registration, standards, and discipline of pharmacists, whereas the DDA administers drug law, including product registration and licensing of pharmacy operations. Their mandates are complementary but distinct. They are not identical bodies, and the DDA does not register pharmacists.

Question 41Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A registered pharmacist is convicted of a serious offence involving dishonesty. What is the most likely regulatory consequence under the NPC framework?

  1. The Council may inquire and consider suspension or removal from the register Correct answer.
  2. The pharmacist is automatically reinstated after one year
  3. The conviction has no effect because it is unrelated to pharmacy practice
  4. The Council must transfer the pharmacist to a provisional register

Explanation

A serious conviction, particularly one involving dishonesty, can bear on fitness to practise and may lead the Council to inquire and impose sanctions including suspension or removal. The effect is not automatic reinstatement, and a provisional register transfer is not a recognised response. The Council exercises a discretionary disciplinary judgment.

Question 42Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Which statement best explains why the NPC requires continuing professional development for registered pharmacists?

  1. To satisfy the requirements of foreign pharmacy regulators
  2. To maintain and update professional competence throughout a pharmacist's career Correct answer.
  3. To generate revenue for the Council's administrative budget
  4. To replace the licensing examination for new graduates

Explanation

CPD exists to ensure that registered pharmacists keep their knowledge and skills current as science and practice evolve, supporting safe care. It is not a revenue measure, it does not substitute for the entry examination, and it is not driven by foreign regulators. Its rationale is continuing competence.

Question 43Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A pharmacist wants to open a new community pharmacy. Which combination of approvals is generally required?

  1. Registration as a pharmacist plus DDA licensing of the pharmacy premises Correct answer.
  2. Approval from the Nepal Medical Council and the local municipality
  3. Only NPC registration, since premises licensing is not required
  4. Only DDA premises licensing, since the owner need not be a pharmacist

Explanation

Operating a community pharmacy generally requires the responsible person to hold valid pharmacist registration and the premises to be licensed by the DDA under drug law. NPC registration alone does not authorise premises operation, and premises licensing alone does not satisfy the requirement for a qualified responsible pharmacist. The Medical Council has no role in pharmacy premises.

Question 44Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A pharmacist suspects a colleague is practising while unregistered. What is the most appropriate action under the NPC framework?

  1. Ignore the matter because it is the employer's responsibility
  2. Report the matter to the medicine supplier
  3. Confront the colleague publicly in the pharmacy
  4. Report the matter to the Nepal Pharmacy Council for inquiry Correct answer.

Explanation

Suspected unregistered practice undermines the protected title and patient safety, and the appropriate course is to bring it to the Council, which has the authority to investigate. Public confrontation is unprofessional, ignoring it neglects a professional duty, and a supplier has no regulatory role. Reporting to the Council enables a proper inquiry.

Question 45Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Which statement about the composition of the Nepal Pharmacy Council is most accurate?

  1. It is a committee elected only by pharmacy students
  2. It consists solely of officials from the Ministry of Health
  3. It is constituted under the NPC Act and includes members representing relevant stakeholders Correct answer.
  4. It is a private company registered under company law

Explanation

The Council is a statutory body established under the NPC Act with a composition that includes representatives of relevant stakeholders such as the government and the profession. It is not a private company, not composed only of Ministry officials, and not elected by students. Its statutory basis defines its membership.

Question 46Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A pharmacy owner continues to display the registration certificate of a pharmacist who left the pharmacy months ago. Which concept does this misrepresentation most directly offend?

  1. The duty to maintain patient confidentiality
  2. The obligation to report adverse drug reactions
  3. The requirement to renew registration annually
  4. The requirement that a pharmacy operate under the supervision of a currently registered pharmacist Correct answer.

Explanation

Displaying a departed pharmacist's certificate falsely implies that a currently registered pharmacist supervises the premises, which misleads the public about the pharmacy's regulatory status. Renewal, pharmacovigilance, and confidentiality are separate obligations not engaged by this display. The core problem is misrepresentation of supervision by a registered pharmacist.

Question 47Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A candidate passed a foreign pharmacy degree but has not yet completed the NPC's required assessment. Which statement best reflects the correct regulatory position?

  1. The candidate may practise under the title 'pharmacist' while awaiting assessment
  2. The candidate may register immediately and complete assessment later
  3. The candidate cannot register until equivalence is established and any required conditions are met Correct answer.
  4. The candidate's degree is void because it was obtained abroad

Explanation

Registration depends on the Council being satisfied that the foreign qualification is equivalent and that any additional requirements are fulfilled. Registration before assessment would bypass quality assurance, and practising under the protected title while unassessed would breach title protection. A foreign degree is not void; it simply requires assessment.

Question 48Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A pharmacist disagrees with a Council decision to suspend her registration and wishes to challenge it. Which approach is most consistent with the rule of law under the NPC framework?

  1. Ask the DDA to overrule the Council's decision
  2. Have a colleague issue prescriptions under her name temporarily
  3. Ignore the suspension and continue practising until the Council changes its mind
  4. Use the review or appeal mechanism provided by the Act and subordinate legislation Correct answer.

Explanation

Administrative decisions must be challenged through the review or appeal channels established by the Act and its regulations, which preserve both the practitioner's rights and the integrity of the register. Ignoring a suspension is unlawful practice, the DDA cannot override the Council, and proxy prescribing by a colleague would be improper. The lawful route is the prescribed appeal process.

Question 49Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

Which interpretation best explains why the NPC framework requires registration before a person may supervise a pharmacy's dispensing operations?

  1. Registration provides public assurance that the supervisor meets verified standards of qualification and fitness Correct answer.
  2. Registration transfers legal liability for all errors to the Council
  3. Registration guarantees that the pharmacy will be profitable
  4. Registration removes the need for premises licensing

Explanation

Registration functions as a quality-assurance mechanism, giving the public confidence that the person supervising dispensing has verified qualifications and fitness to practise. It does not guarantee profitability, shift liability for clinical errors to the Council, or replace premises licensing. The rationale is assurance of competence and accountability.

Question 50Pharmacy legislation, NPC Act, Regulations and Guidelines

A pharmacist wishes to remove her name from the register while an unresolved misconduct complaint against her is pending. What is the most likely regulatory position?

  1. The Council may decline removal or continue the inquiry despite the application Correct answer.
  2. Removal is automatic and ends the Council's jurisdiction immediately
  3. The complaint is transferred to the DDA for resolution
  4. The complaint lapses because the pharmacist is no longer registered

Explanation

Where a disciplinary matter is pending, the Council can generally refuse or defer voluntary removal, or continue the inquiry, so that practitioners cannot escape scrutiny by deregistering. Removal does not automatically extinguish jurisdiction, the DDA does not take over professional complaints, and a pending complaint does not simply lapse. The Council retains control of the process.