MOH Pharmacology & Drug Regulations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which drug schedule in the UAE requires a special narcotic prescription form?
- Schedule A
- Schedule I
- Controlled Drugs (Schedule 4) (Correct answer)
- Over-the-counter medications
Correct answer: Controlled Drugs (Schedule 4)
Controlled drugs in Schedule 4 under UAE Federal Law No. 14 of 1995 require special narcotic prescription forms, with strict dispensing and documentation requirements.
Question 2: What is the mechanism of action of metformin in type 2 diabetes?
- Stimulates pancreatic beta cells to release insulin
- Inhibits hepatic gluconeogenesis and improves insulin sensitivity (Correct answer)
- Blocks alpha-glucosidase enzyme
- Increases urinary glucose excretion
Correct answer: Inhibits hepatic gluconeogenesis and improves insulin sensitivity
Metformin primarily works by inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis and improving peripheral insulin sensitivity, reducing blood glucose without causing hypoglycemia.
Question 3: A patient on warfarin is prescribed ciprofloxacin. What is the expected drug interaction?
- Decreased anticoagulant effect
- No clinically significant interaction
- Increased anticoagulant effect with risk of bleeding (Correct answer)
- Decreased ciprofloxacin efficacy
Correct answer: Increased anticoagulant effect with risk of bleeding
Ciprofloxacin inhibits CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 enzymes, reducing warfarin metabolism and increasing INR, which can lead to serious bleeding complications.
Question 4: Which of the following is the antidote for acetaminophen (paracetamol) overdose?
- Naloxone
- Flumazenil
- N-acetylcysteine (Correct answer)
- Activated charcoal alone
Correct answer: N-acetylcysteine
N-acetylcysteine replenishes glutathione stores, neutralizing the toxic metabolite NAPQI that causes hepatotoxicity in paracetamol overdose.
Question 5: Beta-1 selective blockers are preferred over non-selective beta-blockers in patients with:
- Hypertension only
- Reactive airway disease (asthma/COPD) (Correct answer)
- Heart failure
- Angina pectoris
Correct answer: Reactive airway disease (asthma/COPD)
Beta-1 selective agents (e.g., metoprolol, atenolol) minimize bronchospasm risk by avoiding beta-2 receptor blockade in the airways, making them safer in asthma and COPD patients.
Question 6: The first-line pharmacological treatment for Helicobacter pylori eradication in the UAE MOH guidelines is:
- Dual therapy: amoxicillin + metronidazole
- Triple therapy: PPI + clarithromycin + amoxicillin (Correct answer)
- Monotherapy: high-dose omeprazole
- Bismuth quadruple therapy only
Correct answer: Triple therapy: PPI + clarithromycin + amoxicillin
UAE MOH guidelines follow standard triple therapy (PPI + clarithromycin + amoxicillin for 7-14 days) as first-line H. pylori eradication, consistent with international guidelines.
MOH Pharmacology & Drug Regulations 1
Which drug schedule in the UAE requires a special narcotic prescription form?