DHA PHARMACIST Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield DHA PHARMACIST facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which credential verification service does DHA require for internationally educated pharmacists? → DataFlow Group Primary Source Verification
2. What is the maximum legal supply for a prescription-only medicine dispensed in a UAE pharmacy without a repeat prescription? → A one-month supply unless specified otherwise by the prescriber for chronic conditions
3. Under UAE law, what is required for the import of personal medication quantities exceeding one month's supply? → Prior approval from MOHAP and documentation such as a medical certificate
4. A DHA pharmacy inspection finds medications stored at temperatures above the labelled requirement. What is the primary consequence? → Warning, fine, or suspension of pharmacy license depending on severity
5. Which test is used to check the uniformity of drug content across tablets in a batch? → Content uniformity test (USP )
6. What is the mechanism of action of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole? → Irreversible inhibition of the H⁺/K⁺-ATPase enzyme (proton pump) in gastric parietal cells
7. How long must controlled substance registers (narcotic drug records) be retained in UAE pharmacies? → A minimum of 5 years
8. Which factor most significantly affects the volume of distribution (Vd) of a highly lipophilic drug? → Extensive distribution into adipose and peripheral tissues resulting in a large Vd
9. What is the name of DHA's online portal for pharmacist license applications? → Sheryan
10. Which pharmacokinetic parameter describes the fraction of an administered drug dose that reaches systemic circulation unchanged? → Bioavailability (F)
11. In addition to the DHA Prometric examination, which English language qualification is commonly accepted for pharmacist licensing? → IELTS 6.0 overall or OET Grade B
12. CYP3A4 is the most abundant hepatic CYP450 enzyme. A drug that strongly inhibits CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole) will most likely: → Increase plasma levels of CYP3A4 substrates
13. Which schedule of UAE drug regulation covers medications available only with a prescription? → Prescription-Only Medicines (POM) classification under MOHAP scheduling
14. The therapeutic index (TI) of a drug is calculated as: → LD50 / ED50
15. A drug has a volume of distribution (Vd) of 700 L in a 70 kg patient. What does this suggest? → The drug is extensively distributed into tissues
16. Which regulatory body in the UAE maintains the national formulary and controls narcotic and psychotropic drug quotas? → Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP)
17. Which authority regulates pharmacy practice and issues pharmacist licenses in Dubai? → Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
18. What is the standard validity period for a DHA pharmacist license before renewal is due? → 2 years
19. Which receptor type mediates the bronchodilator effect of salbutamol (albuterol)? → Beta-2 adrenergic receptors in bronchial smooth muscle
20. What is the primary purpose of using a viscosity-enhancing agent in ophthalmic preparations? → To increase contact time of the drug with the eye surface, improving bioavailability
21. A drug has a half-life of 8 hours. Approximately how long will it take to reach steady-state plasma concentration with regular dosing? → 40 hours
22. What is the primary site of drug metabolism in the body? → Liver
23. What minimum post-qualification experience does DHA typically require for a pharmacist applicant? → 2 years of post-registration pharmacy practice
24. Creatinine clearance (CrCl) is used in clinical practice primarily to: → Adjust doses of renally eliminated drugs
25. Which sterilisation method is preferred for heat-stable aqueous injectable preparations? → Moist heat sterilisation (autoclaving at 121°C, 15 psi, 15–20 minutes)
26. Which clinical parameter is monitored to assess lithium toxicity in a patient being treated for bipolar disorder? → Serum lithium levels, renal function, and thyroid function
27. Which excipient category is used to increase tablet hardness and provide bulk in solid dosage forms? → Diluents/fillers (e.g., lactose, microcrystalline cellulose)
28. Which DHA pharmacy license category is issued to a pharmacist who manages and is responsible for a pharmacy? → Pharmacist-in-Charge (Head Pharmacist)
29. Which drug formulation property determines whether a tablet should NOT be crushed? → Extended-release (ER/XR) coating or enteric coating
30. Which drug is used to reverse the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran (a direct thrombin inhibitor)? → Idarucizumab (Praxbind)