MPJE Licensure and Personnel 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under most state regulations, the pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) is responsible for which of the following?
- Personal liability for all prescriber errors
- The overall operation of the pharmacy, including compliance with pharmacy laws (Correct answer)
- Setting the salary and benefits of all pharmacy staff
- Negotiating contracts with third-party payers
Correct answer: The overall operation of the pharmacy, including compliance with pharmacy laws
The PIC bears legal responsibility for the pharmacy's compliance with all applicable federal and state pharmacy laws and regulations governing its operation.
Question 2: A pharmacy wishes to change its pharmacist-in-charge. How must this change typically be reported to the state board?
- It need not be reported unless requested
- Within the timeframe specified by state law, often 10–30 days (Correct answer)
- Only at the next license renewal period
- Only if the outgoing PIC requests documentation
Correct answer: Within the timeframe specified by state law, often 10–30 days
Most states require prompt notification to the board of pharmacy when the PIC changes, with deadlines commonly ranging from 10 to 30 days after the change occurs.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the pharmacist-to-technician ratio concept found in most state pharmacy practice acts?
- A fixed 1:1 ratio that cannot be modified
- A maximum number of technicians one pharmacist may supervise at a given time (Correct answer)
- A minimum number of pharmacists required per pharmacy location
- A federal standard set by CMS for hospital pharmacies
Correct answer: A maximum number of technicians one pharmacist may supervise at a given time
Technician ratio rules define the maximum number of pharmacy technicians a single pharmacist may supervise simultaneously, with limits varying by state and practice setting.
Question 4: A pharmacist supervisor discovers that a pharmacy technician has been diverting controlled substances. After confirming the diversion, the pharmacist's FIRST obligation is to:
- Terminate the technician and document internally
- Report the diversion to the DEA and state board of pharmacy as required by law (Correct answer)
- Contact the technician's union representative
- Notify the insurance company that paid for the medications
Correct answer: Report the diversion to the DEA and state board of pharmacy as required by law
Federal law (DEA) and most state laws require that controlled substance diversion be reported to the DEA and the state board of pharmacy; internal action alone is insufficient.
Question 5: A pharmacist is asked by the pharmacy owner to counsel patients in a language in which the pharmacist is not fluent. The MOST appropriate course of action is to:
- Proceed with counseling and provide written materials in that language
- Refuse to counsel those patients and document accordingly
- Use an interpreter or qualified bilingual staff member to facilitate counseling (Correct answer)
- Dispense the medication with no counseling since it is not possible
Correct answer: Use an interpreter or qualified bilingual staff member to facilitate counseling
Pharmacists should utilize trained interpreter services or qualified bilingual staff to fulfill the counseling obligation when a language barrier exists.
Question 6: Under the NABP Model State Pharmacy Act, which of the following is included in the definition of 'the practice of pharmacy'?
- Prescribing medications under collaborative practice agreements only
- Interpreting, evaluating, and implementing prescription drug orders (Correct answer)
- Distributing drug samples to physician offices
- Manufacturing FDA-approved drugs for interstate commerce
Correct answer: Interpreting, evaluating, and implementing prescription drug orders
The practice of pharmacy under the NABP Model Act includes interpreting, evaluating, and implementing prescription drug orders as a core professional function.
Question 7: A pharmacist who also holds a valid nurse practitioner license wants to prescribe and dispense medications from the same practice location. Most state boards would require:
- No additional steps since both licenses are valid
- The pharmacist to surrender one of the two licenses
- Compliance with any conflict-of-interest or self-prescribing regulations applicable to both professions (Correct answer)
- Approval from both the medical board and the pharmacy board
Correct answer: Compliance with any conflict-of-interest or self-prescribing regulations applicable to both professions
Dual-licensed practitioners must comply with all regulations of both licensing boards, including self-prescribing prohibitions and conflict-of-interest rules.
MPJE Licensure and Personnel 4
Under most state regulations, the pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) is responsible for which of the following?