Introduction: The State and Joint State Pharmacy Councils are statutory regulatory bodies established under the Pharmacy Act to govern pharmacist registration, professional standards, and ethical practice within states or groups of states. B.Pharm students should understand council constitution, roles like registration, issuance of certificate of practice, disciplinary powers, maintenance of registers, continuing education, and advisory functions to state governments. Knowledge of how Joint State Pharmacy Councils operate for multi-state administration, member composition, and interaction with central bodies (e.g., Pharmacy Council of India) is essential for professional practice and licensure. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which body maintains the official register of pharmacists for a state?
- Central Drug Authority
- State Pharmacy Council
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association
- Drug Control Laboratory
Correct Answer: State Pharmacy Council
Q2. Which legislation provides for constitution of State Pharmacy Councils in India?
- Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
- Pharmacy Act, 1948
- Indian Medical Council Act
- National Pharmaceutical Policy
Correct Answer: Pharmacy Act, 1948
Q3. What is a primary function of a State Pharmacy Council?
- Manufacturing of medicines
- Registration and certification of pharmacists
- Approval of drug pricing
- Issuing manufacturing licenses
Correct Answer: Registration and certification of pharmacists
Q4. Who issues the certificate of registration or certificate of practice to pharmacists?
- Pharmacy Council of India
- State Pharmacy Council
- Central Drug Standard Control Organization
- State Drug Inspectorate
Correct Answer: State Pharmacy Council
Q5. Which body can remove a pharmacist’s name from the register for professional misconduct?
- Pharmaceutical Companies Association
- State Pharmacy Council
- Local Municipal Corporation
- Drug Enforcement Administration
Correct Answer: State Pharmacy Council
Q6. What is a Joint State Pharmacy Council?
- A national council under central government
- A council formed by two or more states agreeing to have a combined regulatory body
- A private association of pharmacists
- A council for international pharmacy practice
Correct Answer: A council formed by two or more states agreeing to have a combined regulatory body
Q7. Which of the following is NOT a typical function of a State Pharmacy Council?
- Maintaining the register of pharmacists
- Conducting inspections and issuing drug retail licenses
- Taking disciplinary action against registered pharmacists
- Advising the state government on pharmacy education
Correct Answer: Conducting inspections and issuing drug retail licenses
Q8. Who is typically eligible to be elected as a member of a State Pharmacy Council?
- Any medical doctor
- Registered pharmacists of the state
- Pharmaceutical wholesalers only
- Lawyers with interest in health law
Correct Answer: Registered pharmacists of the state
Q9. Which national body primarily approves standards of pharmacy education and curricula in India?
- State Pharmacy Council
- Pharmacy Council of India
- Central Drug Standard Control Organization
- Ministry of Health Research Board
Correct Answer: Pharmacy Council of India
Q10. What key information is recorded in the register maintained by State Pharmacy Councils?
- Names of manufacturing companies
- Names, qualifications, and registered addresses of pharmacists
- Retail drug prices
- Hospital accreditation scores
Correct Answer: Names, qualifications, and registered addresses of pharmacists
Q11. Which role does a State Pharmacy Council play in continuing professional development?
- Providing continuing education and updating practice guidelines
- Manufacturing educational materials for sale
- Granting degrees to pharmacy students
- Setting retail prices for continuing education courses
Correct Answer: Providing continuing education and updating practice guidelines
Q12. Who presides over the meetings of a State Pharmacy Council?
- Chief Minister of the state
- President or Chairman elected from council members
- Director of Health Services by default
- Pharmacy Council of India representative
Correct Answer: President or Chairman elected from council members
Q13. Which action is within the disciplinary powers of a State Pharmacy Council?
- Imposing imprisonment
- Striking off or suspending a pharmacist from the register
- Revoking manufacturing licenses
- Fixing medicine release dates
Correct Answer: Striking off or suspending a pharmacist from the register
Q14. How does a Joint State Pharmacy Council benefit smaller states or union territories?
- It allows shared regulatory administration and pooled resources
- It centralizes drug manufacturing
- It removes need for any local regulation
- It grants immunity from national laws
Correct Answer: It allows shared regulatory administration and pooled resources
Q15. Which official is usually responsible for day-to-day administration of a State Pharmacy Council?
- Secretary of the State Pharmacy Council
- National Health Secretary
- Chief Pharmacist of state hospitals
- President of Pharmacy Manufacturers Association
Correct Answer: Secretary of the State Pharmacy Council
Q16. Which of the following responsibilities is commonly exercised by the State Pharmacy Council regarding ethics?
- Preparing and enforcing code of professional conduct and ethics
- Setting criminal punishments for drug offenses
- Licensing drug importers
- Auditing pharmaceutical company finances
Correct Answer: Preparing and enforcing code of professional conduct and ethics
Q17. Which entity interacts with State Pharmacy Councils for national coordination on education and standards?
- Pharmacy Council of India
- National Medical Commission
- Central Reserve Police Force
- Indian Pharmacopeia Commission
Correct Answer: Pharmacy Council of India
Q18. What kind of members typically compose a State Pharmacy Council?
- Only bureaucrats and judges
- A mix of elected registered pharmacists and government-nominated members
- Only pharmaceutical industry CEOs
- Only medical doctors and dentists
Correct Answer: A mix of elected registered pharmacists and government-nominated members
Q19. Which power does the State Pharmacy Council hold regarding registration details?
- They can alter academic degrees of pharmacists
- They can update, correct, or remove entries in the register following due procedure
- They can unilaterally change university curricula
- They can nationalize private pharmacies
Correct Answer: They can update, correct, or remove entries in the register following due procedure
Q20. Which of the following best describes the relationship between State Pharmacy Councils and Drug Control Authorities?
- They are the same statutory body
- They have distinct roles; councils regulate pharmacists while drug authorities regulate drug quality and licensing
- State Pharmacy Councils directly control drug manufacturing licenses
- Drug Control Authorities are subordinate to State Pharmacy Councils
Correct Answer: They have distinct roles; councils regulate pharmacists while drug authorities regulate drug quality and licensing
Q21. When two states form a Joint State Pharmacy Council, how is representation typically handled?
- Only one state sends all members
- Each participating state nominates or elects representatives as agreed
- Representation is by lottery
- No representation from states is allowed
Correct Answer: Each participating state nominates or elects representatives as agreed
Q22. Which of the following is a valid function of a State Pharmacy Council in relation to education?
- Directly awarding pharmacy degrees
- Inspecting and recommending recognition of institutions for pharmacist registration eligibility
- Controlling university staffing decisions
- Setting tuition fees for colleges
Correct Answer: Inspecting and recommending recognition of institutions for pharmacist registration eligibility
Q23. Which authority is primarily responsible for approving pharmacy institutions and courses nationally?
- State Pharmacy Council
- Pharmacy Council of India
- State Drug Inspectorate
- National Accreditation Agency for Hospitals
Correct Answer: Pharmacy Council of India
Q24. Which of the following actions must usually precede disciplinary proceedings by a State Pharmacy Council?
- Automatic lifetime ban
- Inquiry and opportunity for the pharmacist to present a defense
- Public referendum
- Order by municipal corporation
Correct Answer: Inquiry and opportunity for the pharmacist to present a defense
Q25. Which documentation would a pharmacist most likely present to the State Pharmacy Council for registration?
- Bank statements
- Academic qualifications and proof of age and identity
- Pharmaceutical company contracts
- Petition signatures from colleagues
Correct Answer: Academic qualifications and proof of age and identity
Q26. Which statement is true about the decisions taken by a State Pharmacy Council during meetings?
- Decisions always require unanimous consent
- Decisions are usually taken by majority vote among members present
- Decisions are made only by the government nominee
- Decisions are dictated by the Pharmacy Council of India
Correct Answer: Decisions are usually taken by majority vote among members present
Q27. Which of the following would be a proper reason for removal of a name from the register by the council?
- Change of residence without notice for one day
- Conviction for professional misconduct proven after inquiry
- Failure to buy council publications
- Not attending council meetings as a non-member
Correct Answer: Conviction for professional misconduct proven after inquiry
Q28. Which entity should a pharmacist approach to challenge a council decision in most cases?
- Local police station only
- Judicial courts or legal remedies as provided by law
- Pharmacy Council of India for direct overturning
- Pharmaceutical companies’ trade union
Correct Answer: Judicial courts or legal remedies as provided by law
Q29. Which activity is typically coordinated between State Pharmacy Councils and the Pharmacy Council of India?
- National drug price fixation
- Harmonizing registration standards and professional education policy
- Importing medicines
- Running private pharmacies
Correct Answer: Harmonizing registration standards and professional education policy
Q30. What should a B.Pharm graduate know about State and Joint State Pharmacy Councils?
- They are irrelevant to professional practice
- They regulate pharmacist registration, professional conduct, and advise on education; knowledge is essential for licensure
- They only regulate medicine pricing
- They issue manufacturing licenses to companies
Correct Answer: They regulate pharmacist registration, professional conduct, and advise on education; knowledge is essential for licensure
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