History and development of pharmacy profession in India MCQs With Answer

Introduction

History and development of pharmacy profession in India traces a rich journey from ancient Ayurvedic pharmacopeia to modern clinical practice and industry. B. Pharm students should understand contributions of classical texts like Charaka and Sushruta, medieval herbal traditions, and colonial-era modernization that introduced formal pharmacy education, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and drug regulation. Key milestones include the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, the Pharmacy Act, the Indian Pharmacopoeia and formation of professional bodies, which shaped standards, ethics and regulatory frameworks. Contemporary advances cover clinical pharmacy, pharmacovigilance, good manufacturing practices and the rise of the generic industry—essential context for future pharmacists. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which classical Ayurvedic text is most associated with early Indian materia medica and pharmacy knowledge?

• Charaka Samhita
• Sushruta Samhita
• Astanga Hridaya
• Ayurveda Tattva

Correct Answer: Charaka Samhita

Q2. Which ancient author is credited with detailed descriptions of surgical procedures and many medicinal preparations relevant to early pharmacy?

• Charaka
• Sushruta
• Vagbhata
• Hippocrates

Correct Answer: Sushruta

Q3. Which legislation originally governs the import, manufacture and distribution of drugs and cosmetics in India?

• Pharmacy Act
• Indian Penal Code
• Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
• Food Safety and Standards Act

Correct Answer: Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940

Q4. The Pharmacy Act that provides for the regulation of the profession of pharmacy in India was enacted in which year?

• 1939
• 1940
• 1948
• 1955

Correct Answer: 1948

Q5. Which statutory body is primarily responsible for regulating pharmacy education and licensing of pharmacists in India?

• Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)
• Pharmacy Council of India (PCI)
• Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC)
• Ministry of Agriculture

Correct Answer: Pharmacy Council of India (PCI)

Q6. When was the first edition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) published, establishing national drug standards?

• 1939
• 1948
• 1955
• 1960

Correct Answer: 1955

Q7. Which professional association, established before independence, played a key role in uniting Indian pharmacists and promoting the profession?

• Indian Medical Association
• Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission
• Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA)
• All India Drug Manufacturers Association

Correct Answer: Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA)

Q8. Historically, what was the primary role of early pharmacists (compounders and apothecaries) in India?

• Drug discovery research
• Compounding and dispensing medicinal formulations
• Public health administration
• Hospital financial management

Correct Answer: Compounding and dispensing medicinal formulations

Q9. The introduction of clinical pharmacy and pharmaceutical care as patient-centered services in India became prominent in which period?

• Early 19th century
• Mid 20th century
• Late 20th century
• 21st century only

Correct Answer: Late 20th century

Q10. What is the central regulatory agency responsible for approval of new drugs and clinical trials in India?

• State Drug Control Authority
• Pharmacy Council of India
• Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)
• National Institute of Nutrition

Correct Answer: Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)

Q11. Which act specifically provides for the registration of pharmacists and sets standards for their professional practice?

• Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
• Pharmacy Act, 1948
• NDPS Act, 1985
• MTP Act

Correct Answer: Pharmacy Act, 1948

Q12. Which branch of pharmacy focuses primarily on optimizing medication therapy and improving patient outcomes through direct patient care?

• Industrial pharmacy
• Clinical pharmacy
• Pharmacognosy
• Pharmaceutics

Correct Answer: Clinical pharmacy

Q13. Traditional Indian materia medica and herbal drug knowledge fall under which category?

• Synthetic chemistry
• Ayurvedic pharmacopeia
• Biotechnology
• Pharmacoeconomics

Correct Answer: Ayurvedic pharmacopeia

Q14. Which official publication provides standardized specifications and tests for drugs marketed in India?

• British Pharmacopoeia
• Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP)
• United States Pharmacopeia
• European Pharmacopoeia

Correct Answer: Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP)

Q15. A major post-independence milestone that transformed access to affordable medicines in India was the growth of which sector?

• Biotech startups only
• Generic pharmaceutical industry
• Luxury drug imports
• Traditional handcrafted apothecaries

Correct Answer: Generic pharmaceutical industry

Q16. Which legislation outlines standards for manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs and includes schedules for labeling and standards?

• Food Safety and Standards Act
• Pharmacy Act
• Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
• Indian Evidence Act

Correct Answer: Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940

Q17. What is the minimum formal qualification required for registration as a pharmacist with the State Pharmacy Council in India?

• Bachelor of Medicine
• Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm)
• Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) only
• High school certificate

Correct Answer: Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm)

Q18. Which concept defines the set of practices that ensure pharmaceutical products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards?

• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
• Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Marketing Authorization

Correct Answer: Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

Q19. Large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing in modern India was enabled primarily by which development?

• Introduction of herbal compendia only
• Adoption of industrial pharmaceutical manufacturing methods
• Ban on synthetic drug production
• Exclusive reliance on imports

Correct Answer: Adoption of industrial pharmaceutical manufacturing methods

Q20. Which Act deals specifically with control and regulation of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in India?

• Drug and Cosmetic Act
• NDPS Act, 1985
• Pharmacy Act, 1948
• Indian Patent Act

Correct Answer: NDPS Act, 1985

Q21. Which body prescribes minimum educational standards for B.Pharm and other pharmacy programs in India?

• UGC
• AICTE
• Pharmacy Council of India (PCI)
• National Medical Commission

Correct Answer: Pharmacy Council of India (PCI)

Q22. Pharmacovigilance primarily involves which activity?

• Designing new drug molecules
• Monitoring and reporting adverse drug reactions
• Marketing pharmaceutical products
• Setting drug prices

Correct Answer: Monitoring and reporting adverse drug reactions

Q23. Which international intellectual property agreement had major implications for pharmaceutical patents and industry in India?

• Kyoto Protocol
• TRIPS Agreement
• Geneva Convention
• Paris Agreement

Correct Answer: TRIPS Agreement

Q24. In hospital pharmacy practice, which activity is crucial for optimizing drug therapy and patient safety?

• Therapeutic drug monitoring
• Packaging design for marketing
• Purely retail sales
• Only inventory counting

Correct Answer: Therapeutic drug monitoring

Q25. Expansion of retail and community pharmacy services in India has been driven largely by growth in which area?

• Generic drug availability and primary care demand
• Decrease in chronic diseases
• Reduction of pharmacist roles
• Elimination of drug regulations

Correct Answer: Generic drug availability and primary care demand

Q26. Which schedule of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules specifically outlines Good Manufacturing Practices for pharmaceutical manufacturers?

• Schedule Y
• Schedule M
• Schedule H
• Schedule X

Correct Answer: Schedule M

Q27. One of the primary provisions of the Pharmacy Act is to provide for which of the following?

• Registration of pharmacists and maintenance of registers
• Control of food adulteration
• Regulation of medical education only
• Import tariffs for drugs

Correct Answer: Registration of pharmacists and maintenance of registers

Q28. A major public health challenge that has impacted pharmacy practice and drug policy in India is:

• Antimicrobial resistance
• Decline in vaccine production only
• Elimination of chronic diseases
• Universal affordable drug pricing

Correct Answer: Antimicrobial resistance

Q29. Which authority is typically responsible for issuing manufacturing licenses for pharmaceutical production at the state level?

• State Drug Control Authority
• Pharmacy Council of India
• Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission
• Central Bureau of Investigation

Correct Answer: State Drug Control Authority

Q30. What is the primary objective of undergraduate pharmacy education (B.Pharm) in India?

• To train students exclusively for sales roles
• To prepare graduates competent to provide pharmaceutical care and assure medicine quality and safety
• To focus only on traditional herbal remedies
• To eliminate clinical responsibilities of pharmacists

Correct Answer: To prepare graduates competent to provide pharmaceutical care and assure medicine quality and safety

G S Sachin

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