NZREX Pharmacology & Prescribing

Question 1

Which organisation in New Zealand is responsible for determining which medicines are subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Schedule?

Accepted Answer

PHARMAC

Answer

Medsafe

Answer

Health NZ (Te Whatu Ora)

Answer

Ministry of Health

Question 2

When prescribing a long-term NSAID for an elderly patient with osteoarthritis in New Zealand, which co-prescription is most strongly recommended to reduce gastrointestinal risk?

Accepted Answer

A proton pump inhibitor (PPI)

Answer

A beta-blocker

Answer

An antihistamine

Answer

A statin

Question 3

According to New Zealand community-acquired pneumonia guidelines, what is the recommended first-line oral antibiotic for a non-hospitalised adult without significant comorbidities?

Accepted Answer

Amoxicillin

Answer

Ciprofloxacin

Answer

Azithromycin

Answer

Doxycycline

Question 4

In New Zealand, which of the following medications requires a Special Authority application before PHARMAC will subsidise it?

Accepted Answer

Adalimumab (Humira)

Answer

Paracetamol 500mg

Answer

Metformin 500mg

Answer

Amoxicillin 500mg

Question 5

Under New Zealand law, when prescribing a controlled drug, which of the following is a mandatory requirement for the prescription to be legally valid?

Accepted Answer

The total quantity must be written in both words and figures

Answer

The prescription must be written in blue ink only

Answer

The prescription must be countersigned by a pharmacist

Answer

A specialist referral must accompany each prescription

Question 6

A patient on stable warfarin therapy begins taking St John's Wort for low mood. What effect would you expect on their INR?

Accepted Answer

INR decreases due to CYP450 enzyme induction

Answer

INR increases significantly due to enzyme inhibition

Answer

INR remains unchanged as St John's Wort has no drug interactions

Answer

INR fluctuates unpredictably with no consistent direction

Question 7

Which prescribing resource is specifically developed for New Zealand healthcare professionals and provides evidence-based, NZ-contextualised prescribing guidance free of charge?

Accepted Answer

New Zealand Formulary (NZF)

Answer

British National Formulary (BNF)

Answer

MIMS New Zealand

Answer

Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH)