Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence Examination for Pharmacists

Registration Requirement

• Candidates must successfully complete the examination in Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence provided by the College.
• The examination is offered 4 times a year.
• The examination is valid on Application for a Certificate of Registration as a Pharmacist for 3 years from the date of successful completion.¹
• Candidates may attempt the examination a maximum of three times in any twenty-four month period.¹
• Although the examination can be taken at any stage in the registration process, it is strongly recommended that candidates successfully pass the jurisprudence examination prior to internship. Pre-registration with the College is required.
• The Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence Examination may be offered in French if candidates provide notice with their application.
• Request for special testing accommodations will be considered on an individual basis. Supporting documentation will be required.

¹As per the new Registration Regulation to Replace “Part IV – Registration” of the College’s General Regulation being Ontario Regulation 202/94 made under the Pharmacy Act.

Examination Study Materials

The Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence Examination is based on the Ontario College of Pharmacists' policies, standards and guidelines, and Federal and Provincial acts and their regulations, which control the production, distribution, advertising, sale and use of drugs. The most recent regulations governing pharmacy practice in Ontario, Federal and Provincial pharmacy laws, are available through the College’s website by selecting the tab “Laws and Regulations” under Fast Track. For most current versions, use the e-Laws link. College standards, policies and guidelines can be found under the Professional Practice tab. Candidates should be familiar with the practical interpretation of all these materials as it affects current pharmacy practice in Ontario. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

Benzodiazepines and Other Targeted Substances Regulations
Code of Ethics
Controlled Drug and Substances Act and Regulations and Schedules
Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act and Regulations
Drug Interchangeability and Dispensing Fee Act and Regulations
Food and Drugs Act and Regulations and Schedules
Narcotic Control Regulations
Model Standards of Practice for Pharmacists
National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) Drug Schedules
Ontario College of Pharmacists Bylaws and Policies
Ontario Drug Benefit Act and Regulations; Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary
Personal Health Information Protection Act
Pharmacy Act and Regulations
Regulated Health Professions Act and Code
Required Reference Guide for Pharmacies

PHARMACEUTICAL JURISPRUDENCE EXAMINATION BLUEPRINT FOR PHARMACISTS

Although a candidate should have a thorough knowledge of all legislation affecting the practice of pharmacy, it is suggested that the following matters, as they are dealt with in the various Acts and Regulations, standards and policies receive particular attention.

Exam Section	Subtopics
A. Conditions for Sale* Total = 20	Schedules, Food and Drug Act, Natural Health Products,
B. Narcotics/Controlled Drugs* Total = 20	Prescription requirements, record-keeping, storage, disposal, loss,
C. Filling & Labelling Total = 20	Filling and labelling prescriptions, prescription authorization, transfers, copies compounding, child-resistant packaging, receipts, mailing,
D. Billing & Pricing Total = 10	Fees, ODB, interchangeability, no-substitution, special authorization,
E. Pharmacy Operations Total = 15	Operation requirements, ownership, accreditation, inspections, opening/closing, designated manager, pharmacy supervision, advertising,
F. College Structures/Entry to Practice/Scope of Practice Total = 15	Scope of practice, registration requirements for RPh, controlled acts, committees (discipline, complaints, registration…)
G. Ethics/Standards/Responsibilities Total = 20	Standards of practice, documentation, confidentiality, professional misconduct, reporting,
Total Number of Items = 120

*Candidates are provided with the National Drug Schedules (by NAPRA) and the Summary of Federal and Provincial Laws chart (by OCP) both available in English.


SAMPLE QUESTIONS

The following are sample examination questions. The exam questions consist of a multiple choice format with the one best possible answer from a choice of three or four possible options.

1. What is the condition for sale for Ibuprofen (Advil®) 200 mg tablets?
a) May be sold in any retail outlet.
b) May be sold from the self-selection area of the pharmacy.
c) Requires professional intervention from the pharmacist.
d) Requires a prescription

2. What is the condition for sale for tincture of Iodine 5% Topical?
a) May be sold in any retail outlet.
b) May be sold from the self-selection area of the pharmacy.
c) Requires professional intervention from the pharmacist.
d) Requires a prescription.

3. A patient presents a prescription for an anti-arrhythmic medication with two repeats from a physician licensed in another Canadian province. Using professional judgement, the pharmacist may
a) dispense the prescription but not the refills.
b) dispense the prescription including the refills.
c) not dispense the prescription unless it is co-signed by an Ontario physician.
d) not dispense the prescription under any circumstances.

4. Which name is permissible for a nutrition and health food store in Ontario?
a) Mother Nature’s Medicines
b) Wellness Pharmacy
c) Healthy Herbal
d) Holistic Drug Mart

5. Which of the following situations is considered “professional misconduct”?
a) Failing to provide a prescription delivery service
b) Offering a store coupon for purchasing OTC merchandise
c) Failing to keep records on dialogue regarding all non-prescription drugs
d) Returning a previously dispensed drug to stock

6. If your pharmacy uses a compliance aid such as a Dosett®, what information must be included on the label?
a) An auxiliary label reading, "In case of emergency please call your local poison control centre".
b) The lot numbers and expiry dates of the packaged drugs.
c) Identification and description of the contents.
d) A medication administration record for signing off each dose dispensed.

7. According to the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act, what information should go on the prescription label for a patient's prescription?
a) The patient's address.
b) The expiry date of the drug.
c) The prescription identification number.
d) The address of the prescribing physician.

answers: 1a, 2b, 3b, 4c, 5d, 6c, 7c,

MINIMUM PERFORMANCE LEVELS

The Ontario College of Pharmacists has undertaken a standard setting process to ensure that the items or questions on the examinations are relevant to practice and test a wide range of knowledge. A Minimum Performance Level (MPL) is set for each item by a committee of practicing pharmacists. The passing mark for each examination sitting is determined by summing up the minimum performance level across all items for a particular examination.

All candidate responses are subject to an item analysis to ensure the psychometric integrity of each item. Any item failing to meet the criteria will be eliminated from the test scoring and the MPL for the examination will be adjusted accordingly.