Introduction: The DMR (OA) – Drugs (Magic Remedies) rules MCQs With Answer provide B.Pharm students a focused review of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) framework, regulatory scope, and ethical advertising practices. This concise guide covers definitions, prohibited claims, advertising media (print, TV, social media), Schedule-listed conditions, industry responsibilities, compliance steps, and pharmacist roles in preventing misleading promotions. Mastering these concepts strengthens understanding of regulatory compliance, consumer safety, pharmacovigilance, and professional accountability. The questions emphasize real-world scenarios, enforcement principles, and practical steps to avoid objectionable advertisements. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. What is the primary objective of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) rules?
- To promote herbal remedies through advertising
- To regulate advertising that makes misleading health claims
- To standardize pharmaceutical packaging designs
- To set retail prices for drugs
Correct Answer: To regulate advertising that makes misleading health claims
Q2. Which of the following best defines an “objectionable advertisement” under DMR (OA)?
- An advertisement that fails to include price details
- An advertisement claiming guaranteed cure for specified diseases without evidence
- An advertisement that targets only healthcare professionals
- An advertisement with small font size
Correct Answer: An advertisement claiming guaranteed cure for specified diseases without evidence
Q3. Which media are covered by the DMR (OA) rules for advertising restrictions?
- Only television and radio
- Only print media
- All media including print, electronic, and digital platforms
- Only billboard advertisements
Correct Answer: All media including print, electronic, and digital platforms
Q4. The Schedule attached to the DMR (OA) Act lists:
- Permitted advertising formats
- Diseases and conditions for which claims are prohibited
- Approved suppliers of magic remedies
- Recommended dosages for herbal products
Correct Answer: Diseases and conditions for which claims are prohibited
Q5. A pharmaceutical marketer claims a product “cures cancer” in an online post. Under DMR (OA) this advertisement is:
- Allowed if accompanied by a testimonial
- Permitted if product is registered
- Prohibited because it makes a claim for a Schedule-listed disease
- Allowed if price is disclosed
Correct Answer: Prohibited because it makes a claim for a Schedule-listed disease
Q6. Which party is primarily responsible for ensuring compliance of advertisement content with DMR (OA) rules?
- The consumer protection agency only
- The advertiser, manufacturer or distributor
- The retail pharmacist exclusively
- The advertising agency alone
Correct Answer: The advertiser, manufacturer or distributor
Q7. Under DMR (OA), which type of claim is most likely to be flagged as objectionable?
- Claims about product color and packaging
- Therapeutic claims promising miraculous recovery from chronic diseases
- Statements about manufacturing plant location
- Claims about company annual revenue
Correct Answer: Therapeutic claims promising miraculous recovery from chronic diseases
Q8. Which of the following is an acceptable way to advertise a drug under DMR (OA) guidelines?
- Claiming “100% guaranteed cure” for a Schedule-listed disease
- Providing factual, non-misleading information aimed at healthcare professionals only
- Using patient testimonials to claim universal efficacy
- Promoting as a “magic remedy” for multiple serious illnesses
Correct Answer: Providing factual, non-misleading information aimed at healthcare professionals only
Q9. How should pharmacists respond if they encounter advertising that appears to violate DMR (OA) rules?
- Ignore it because enforcement is only for manufacturers
- Report to the appropriate regulatory authority and advise patients critically
- Share the advertisement widely to get public opinion
- Alter the advertisement to make it more appealing
Correct Answer: Report to the appropriate regulatory authority and advise patients critically
Q10. Which statement about exemptions under DMR (OA) is correct?
- All scientific publications are exempt regardless of content
- Advertisements in professional journals to healthcare professionals may have limited exemptions if factual
- Televised commercials are exempt if brief
- No content is ever exempt
Correct Answer: Advertisements in professional journals to healthcare professionals may have limited exemptions if factual
Q11. What is a common characteristic of “magic remedy” claims targeted by the Act?
- They strictly include ingredient lists
- They offer unverified, exaggerated cures without scientific proof
- They are only about dietary supplements
- They always state potential side effects
Correct Answer: They offer unverified, exaggerated cures without scientific proof
Q12. Why is understanding DMR (OA) important for B.Pharm students?
- Because it helps them design advertising campaigns
- Because it informs ethical dispensing, pharmacovigilance and regulatory compliance
- Because it allows them to bypass regulatory requirements
- Because it focuses on packaging aesthetics
Correct Answer: Because it informs ethical dispensing, pharmacovigilance and regulatory compliance
Q13. Which entity typically enforces DMR (OA) compliance at the state level?
- State Drug Control Administration or Drug Inspectorate
- Ministry of Finance
- Local newspapers
- Hospital administration
Correct Answer: State Drug Control Administration or Drug Inspectorate
Q14. An advertisement claims “prevents aging” for a cosmetic product. Under DMR (OA), this claim is:
- Clearly allowed because cosmetics are excluded
- Potentially objectionable if it implies treatment of a health condition listed in the Schedule
- Allowed if sold over the counter
- Automatically approved if product is imported
Correct Answer: Potentially objectionable if it implies treatment of a health condition listed in the Schedule
Q15. Which practice helps pharmaceutical companies comply with DMR (OA) when preparing advertisements?
- Making bold, unchecked therapeutic claims to attract customers
- Including substantiated evidence, referencing clinical data, and legal review
- Using celebrity endorsements for medical claims
- Avoiding any mention of product indications
Correct Answer: Including substantiated evidence, referencing clinical data, and legal review
Q16. DMR (OA) rules aim to protect consumers primarily by:
- Ensuring low prices for all medicines
- Preventing misleading advertisements that can cause harm or false hope
- Promoting only local manufacturers
- Prohibiting any health-related information in media
Correct Answer: Preventing misleading advertisements that can cause harm or false hope
Q17. Which of these claims would most likely be permitted under DMR (OA) if supported by evidence?
- “Guarantees complete cure of diabetes”
- “Shows statistically significant reduction in symptom scores in clinical trials”
- “Cures all forms of cancer instantly”
- “Works like magic without side effects”
Correct Answer: “Shows statistically significant reduction in symptom scores in clinical trials”
Q18. How do DMR (OA) rules intersect with patient safety?
- They mandate specific treatment protocols
- They reduce risk of self-medication and delay in seeking proper care by limiting misleading claims
- They require all drugs to be prescription-only
- They determine hospital admission criteria
Correct Answer: They reduce risk of self-medication and delay in seeking proper care by limiting misleading claims
Q19. What role can B.Pharm graduates play in preventing objectionable advertisements?
- Actively creating unverified promotional content
- Advising employers on regulatory compliance and patient education
- Encouraging patients to follow advertisements blindly
- Refusing to read regulatory guidelines
Correct Answer: Advising employers on regulatory compliance and patient education
Q20. Which is a red flag in an advertisement suggesting it may violate DMR (OA)?
- Clear citation of peer-reviewed studies
- Promises of “miraculous recovery” or “instant cure”
- Claims targeted only at clinicians with technical data
- Neutral descriptions of ingredients
Correct Answer: Promises of “miraculous recovery” or “instant cure”
Q21. When an advertisement targets vulnerable groups (e.g., seriously ill patients), DMR (OA) considerations require:
- Stricter scrutiny to avoid exploiting vulnerabilities
- Unrestricted promotional freedom
- Targeted discount offers
- No additional oversight
Correct Answer: Stricter scrutiny to avoid exploiting vulnerabilities
Q22. A social media influencer posts a paid promotion claiming a drug cures a Schedule-listed disease. This is:
- Outside DMR (OA) scope because it’s user-generated
- Subject to DMR (OA) rules and may be actionable for advertiser and promoter
- Allowed if the influencer discloses payment
- Permitted when posted on private profiles only
Correct Answer: Subject to DMR (OA) rules and may be actionable for advertiser and promoter
Q23. Which element strengthens an advertising claim and reduces risk under DMR (OA)?
- Vague testimonials without data
- Reference to peer-reviewed clinical evidence and clear disclaimers
- Bold claims without scientific backing
- Use of sensationalist language
Correct Answer: Reference to peer-reviewed clinical evidence and clear disclaimers
Q24. What is the ethical impact of violating DMR (OA) rules for pharmacy professionals?
- No impact on professional standing
- Damage to trust, potential disciplinary action, and risk to patient welfare
- Guaranteed increase in sales without consequences
- Automatic license renewal
Correct Answer: Damage to trust, potential disciplinary action, and risk to patient welfare
Q25. How should clinical claims in advertisements be presented to align with DMR (OA)?
- As absolute guarantees without limitations
- With balanced presentation of evidence, limitations and safety information
- Only as celebrity endorsements
- Without any references to data
Correct Answer: With balanced presentation of evidence, limitations and safety information
Q26. Which is an example of a prohibited promotional statement under DMR (OA)?
- “Supports general well-being when used with a healthy diet”
- “Instantly cures infertility in all cases”
- “Contains natural ingredients; consult your doctor”
- “Clinical studies show improvement in specific endpoints”
Correct Answer: “Instantly cures infertility in all cases”
Q27. What should textbooks and academic lectures for pharmacy students emphasize about DMR (OA)?
- Only marketing strategies to boost sales
- Legal framework, ethical communication, and public health implications
- How to create sensational advertisements
- Methods to avoid regulatory scrutiny
Correct Answer: Legal framework, ethical communication, and public health implications
Q28. If an advertisement contains both promotional claims and mandatory safety information, best practice under DMR (OA) is to:
- Hide the safety information in small print
- Present safety information clearly and prominently alongside claims
- Exclude safety information to save space
- Place safety information on a separate website only
Correct Answer: Present safety information clearly and prominently alongside claims
Q29. A company wishes to advertise a new botanical product. Which approach reduces the risk of violating DMR (OA)?
- Claiming it treats all major chronic illnesses based on tradition alone
- Conducting clinical evaluation, using measured claims, and seeking legal review
- Relying solely on user anecdotes
- Using phrases like “miracle” and “magic” liberally
Correct Answer: Conducting clinical evaluation, using measured claims, and seeking legal review
Q30. Which outcome aligns with the public health goals of DMR (OA) enforcement?
- Increased dissemination of unverified miracle cures
- Improved consumer protection, reduced harm, and better-informed healthcare choices
- Higher sales through sensational advertising
- Complete ban on all health-related communication
Correct Answer: Improved consumer protection, reduced harm, and better-informed healthcare choices
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com