Good Warehousing Practices (GWP) MCQs With Answer

Introduction:

This collection of Good Warehousing Practices (GWP) MCQs with answers is designed specifically for M.Pharm students preparing for exams and professional practice in Quality Control & Quality Assurance. The questions cover critical aspects of warehouse management for pharmaceutical products including storage conditions, temperature and humidity control, cold chain management, documentation, quarantine and release, product segregation, validation, calibration, and deviation handling. Each MCQ is intended to deepen conceptual understanding and application of regulatory expectations (GMP/GDP) in real-world warehousing scenarios. Use these items for self-assessment, classroom review, or timed practice to strengthen your competence in ensuring product integrity throughout storage and distribution.

Q1. What is the primary objective of Good Warehousing Practices (GWP) in the pharmaceutical industry?

• To ensure product quality and integrity throughout storage and distribution
• To maximize warehouse profit and turnover
• To provide staff with comfortable working conditions only
• To facilitate frequent regulatory inspections

Correct Answer: To ensure product quality and integrity throughout storage and distribution

Q2. What is the main purpose of temperature mapping in a pharmaceutical warehouse?

• To identify hot and cold spots and validate uniformity of storage conditions
• To check only the HVAC system performance without recording temperatures
• To count number of refrigerators and freezers required
• To determine staff break schedules in cold areas

Correct Answer: To identify hot and cold spots and validate uniformity of storage conditions

Q3. Which inventory rotation principle prioritizes products by expiry date rather than receipt date?

• First-Expiry-First-Out (FEFO)
• First-In-First-Out (FIFO)
• Last-In-First-Out (LIFO)
• Random Stock Rotation (RSR)

Correct Answer: First-Expiry-First-Out (FEFO)

Q4. What is the purpose of a quarantine area in a pharmaceutical warehouse?

• To hold incoming materials until they are released after quality control evaluation
• To store expired products for immediate destruction
• To keep promotional samples for marketing teams
• To house maintenance equipment and tools

Correct Answer: To hold incoming materials until they are released after quality control evaluation

Q5. How should temperature data loggers used for monitoring storage areas be calibrated?

• At defined intervals and after repair; at least annually
• Only before first use and never recalibrated
• Every day by visual comparison with a wall thermometer
• Calibration is not required for modern data loggers

Correct Answer: At defined intervals and after repair; at least annually

Q6. Which set of documents is essential for demonstrating compliance with GWP in a warehouse?

• SOPs, records of receipt/dispatch, inventory logs, temperature and humidity records
• Marketing brochures, sales data, and customer feedback
• Only electronic inventory reports without SOPs
• Staff pay slips and cafeteria menus

Correct Answer: SOPs, records of receipt/dispatch, inventory logs, temperature and humidity records

Q7. How should returned pharmaceutical products typically be handled upon receipt by the warehouse?

• Segregate and quarantine returns, evaluate condition with QC, and document disposition
• Immediately reintroduce them to picking area to avoid stock shortage
• Dispose of all returns without assessment to save time
• Wash and repack returns for resale without documentation

Correct Answer: Segregate and quarantine returns, evaluate condition with QC, and document disposition

Q8. Good Distribution Practices (GDP) primarily ensure what aspect of medicinal products?

• Quality and integrity during storage and transport until the point of delivery
• Lower cost of transportation through route optimization only
• Maximum shelf space utilization in retail pharmacies
• Promotion and marketing compliance

Correct Answer: Quality and integrity during storage and transport until the point of delivery

Q9. Which method is most appropriate for continuous long-term monitoring of temperature and humidity in critical storage areas?

• Calibrated electronic data loggers with alarm and download capability
• Manual daily thermometers taped to the wall
• Visual inspection of products only
• Monthly handwritten logs from warehouse staff

Correct Answer: Calibrated electronic data loggers with alarm and download capability

Q10. How should hazardous chemicals be stored relative to pharmaceutical products in a warehouse?

• Stored separately with clear segregation and appropriate containment
• Mixed with pharmaceutical products to save space
• Stored only on the top shelves above pharmaceuticals
• Kept in the same area but with separate labeling only

Correct Answer: Stored separately with clear segregation and appropriate containment

Q11. What is the recommended practice for storing light-sensitive pharmaceutical products?

• Store in amber containers or opaque packaging and in a dark area
• Place next to windows to use natural light for inspections
• Keep under bright fluorescent lighting for easy identification
• Expose periodically to sunlight to verify label readability

Correct Answer: Store in amber containers or opaque packaging and in a dark area

Q12. Which activity is NOT considered part of Good Warehousing Practices?

• Advertising and promotional marketing activities in the storage area
• Pest control and environmental monitoring
• Cleaning, maintenance and inspection of storage racks
• Segregation of quarantine, rejected and released stock

Correct Answer: Advertising and promotional marketing activities in the storage area

Q13. Which inventory control technique is most effective for maintaining high accuracy and early detection of discrepancies?

• Cycle counting at defined intervals
• Annual physical count only
• Trusting supplier reports without verification
• Random visual checks by warehouse staff

Correct Answer: Cycle counting at defined intervals

Q14. On what basis is the labeled shelf life of a pharmaceutical product established for storage instructions?

• Stability data obtained under specified storage conditions
• Manufacturer’s market demand estimates
• Worst-case visual appearance after shipment
• Average transit time from warehouse to retailer

Correct Answer: Stability data obtained under specified storage conditions

Q15. What constitutes validation of a cold chain transport process for temperature-sensitive drugs?

• Documented evidence that transport maintains required temperature ranges under defined conditions
• Using refrigerated trucks without any monitoring devices
• Loading products into insulated boxes without testing
• Relying solely on carrier verbal assurances about temperature control

Correct Answer: Documented evidence that transport maintains required temperature ranges under defined conditions

Q16. When a temperature excursion is detected in a storage area, the appropriate immediate action is to:

• Investigate, document deviation, assess product impact and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
• Ignore it if the excursion lasted less than 24 hours
• Automatically destroy all affected stock without assessment
• Place refrigerated products at room temperature to equilibrate

Correct Answer: Investigate, document deviation, assess product impact and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)

Q17. What design feature is important for pallet racking in pharmaceutical warehouses?

• Open design allowing cleaning, inspection and air circulation
• Closed shelving that traps dust to protect products
• Racking painted with lead-based paint for durability
• Racking installed directly on the floor without clearance

Correct Answer: Open design allowing cleaning, inspection and air circulation

Q18. What is the recommended minimum clearance between the floor and stored pallets to allow cleaning and inspection?

• At least 15 cm (6 inches) above the floor
• No clearance; pallets should touch the floor
• At least 1 meter for all products
• Clearance is not necessary for pharmaceuticals

Correct Answer: At least 15 cm (6 inches) above the floor

Q19. Which of the following is required before extending the shelf life of a pharmaceutical product?

• Appropriate stability data supporting the extension and regulatory approval if required
• Changing the printed expiry date on the label without further data
• Repackaging into smaller containers only
• Visual inspection of a sample and a manager’s signature

Correct Answer: Appropriate stability data supporting the extension and regulatory approval if required

Q20. How long should critical warehouse records typically be retained under pharmaceutical GWP/GMP principles?

• As per regulatory requirements; generally at least one year after product expiry or longer if specified
• Only until the next annual audit
• One month after product dispatch
• Records may be deleted once inventory is updated

Correct Answer: As per regulatory requirements; generally at least one year after product expiry or longer if specified

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