CAOP - Competency Assessment of Overseas Pharmacist Extemporaneous Compounding Questions and Answers

Question 1

A pharmacist is required to compound a preservative-free aqueous oral mixture for a paediatric patient.
According to the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary (APF) guidelines, what is the maximum recommended beyond-use date (BUD) for this preparation when stored in a refrigerator?

Accepted Answer

14 days

Answer

24 hours

Answer

7 days

Answer

30 days

Question 2

When creating a compounding record or worksheet for a non-sterile preparation, which of the following details is NOT considered a mandatory component according to Australian professional standards?

Accepted Answer

The patient's reported allergy status

Answer

The name of the pharmacist who performed the final check

Answer

The batch number and expiry date of each ingredient

Answer

The assigned beyond-use date (BUD) of the final product

Question 3

A doctor writes a prescription for a specific strength of a cream that is commercially available. The prescription includes a note stating, 'Please compound in a different base as patient has a known allergy to an excipient in the commercial product.' What is the most appropriate action for the pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

Compound the cream as requested due to the documented clinical need.

Answer

Refuse to compound the cream because a commercial product exists.

Answer

Contact the TGA to get special access approval before compounding.

Answer

Inform the doctor that compounding is only for unavailable medicines.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the initial step in the compounding technique of geometric dilution?

Accepted Answer

Mixing the ingredient present in the smallest quantity with an approximately equal amount of the diluent.

Answer

Combining all ingredients at once and triturating until uniform.

Answer

Mixing the ingredient present in the largest quantity with half of the other ingredients.

Answer

Melting the base completely before adding any of the active ingredients.

Question 5

According to the Pharmacy Board of Australia's guidelines, which of the following is a key labelling requirement for an extemporaneously compounded medicine?

Accepted Answer

A statement identifying the product as a compounded medicine.

Answer

The Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) number.

Answer

The manufacturer's details for each raw ingredient.

Answer

A complete list of all excipients used in the formulation.

Question 6

A pharmacist is checking a compounded paediatric suspension and observes that small particles of the active ingredient have not fully dissolved, settling quickly at the bottom. What is the most significant safety concern associated with dispensing this product?

Accepted Answer

There is a high risk of inaccurate dosing and potential toxicity.

Answer

The taste of the medication will be unpleasant for the child.

Answer

The beyond-use date will need to be shortened significantly.

Answer

The mixture will be difficult for the parent to pour accurately.