Application of computers in Pharmacy MCQs With Answer introduces B. Pharm students to essential computer-based tools transforming pharmaceutical practice and research. This concise, informative guide covers pharmacy information systems, electronic health records, clinical decision support, drug interaction databases, inventory and dispensing automation, cheminformatics, molecular modelling, pharmacokinetic simulation, regulatory software (21 CFR Part 11), laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and data security. Emphasis is on practical applications—prescription processing, barcode/RFID tracking, telepharmacy, e-prescribing, and AI-assisted drug discovery—preparing students for modern pharmacy workflows. Keywords: pharmacy informatics, electronic prescribing, dispensing robots, cheminformatics, pharmacovigilance, LIMS, clinical decision support. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which computer application is primarily used for checking drug–drug interactions at the point of prescribing?
- Pharmacokinetic simulation software
- Clinical decision support system (CDSS)
- Laboratory information management system (LIMS)
- Cheminformatics database
Correct Answer: Clinical decision support system (CDSS)
Q2. Which standard is most relevant for ensuring electronic records and signatures are trustworthy in pharmaceutical regulatory submission?
- HL7
- 21 CFR Part 11
- ISO 9001
- SNOMED CT
Correct Answer: 21 CFR Part 11
Q3. Which system is designed to integrate pharmacy dispensing, inventory, and billing within a hospital?
- Pharmacy Information System (PIS)
- Pharmacovigilance database
- Cheminformatics toolkit
- Mass spectrometry software
Correct Answer: Pharmacy Information System (PIS)
Q4. What is the main role of cheminformatics in pharmaceutical R&D?
- Automating hospital dispensing
- Managing clinical trial regulatory documents
- Computationally analysing chemical structures and properties
- Maintaining patient electronic health records
Correct Answer: Computationally analysing chemical structures and properties
Q5. Which technology improves accuracy in medication administration by scanning barcodes on patient wristbands and drugs?
- Telepharmacy
- Barcode medication administration (BCMA)
- Cheminformatics
- Docking simulation
Correct Answer: Barcode medication administration (BCMA)
Q6. Which software type is used to model drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) quantitatively?
- Statistical analysis software
- Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling software
- Dispensing automation software
- Electronic prescribing software
Correct Answer: Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling software
Q7. What is the principal use of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) in pharmaceutical labs?
- Scheduling pharmacy staff
- Managing laboratory samples, workflows, and data
- Generating marketing reports
- Performing molecular docking
Correct Answer: Managing laboratory samples, workflows, and data
Q8. Which of the following is a common database of standardized drug names and codes used in electronic prescribing?
- RxNorm
- PubChem
- Gene Ontology
- ChEMBL
Correct Answer: RxNorm
Q9. Which application helps predict likely binding poses between small molecules and target proteins?
- Molecular docking software
- Inventory management software
- Electronic health record system
- Barcode scanning system
Correct Answer: Molecular docking software
Q10. In pharmacy inventory management, what is the benefit of using RFID technology over traditional barcode systems?
- RFID requires line of sight for scanning
- RFID enables real-time, bulk tracking without direct line of sight
- RFID is always cheaper than barcodes
- RFID cannot store lot or expiry information
Correct Answer: RFID enables real-time, bulk tracking without direct line of sight
Q11. Which tool is commonly used for statistical analysis and pharmacoeconomic evaluation in pharmacy studies?
- AutoDock
- SPSS or R
- PDA (personal digital assistant)
- Electronic prescribing software
Correct Answer: SPSS or R
Q12. What feature of Pharmacy Management Systems helps reduce medication errors during compounding of sterile preparations?
- Automated dispensing robots only
- Recipe-based compounding modules with alerts and checks
- Cheminformatics databases
- Basic word processing templates
Correct Answer: Recipe-based compounding modules with alerts and checks
Q13. Which computer technique is used to derive quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSAR)?
- Pharmacokinetic modeling
- Machine learning and statistical regression on chemical descriptors
- Barcode scanning
- Electronic health record integration
Correct Answer: Machine learning and statistical regression on chemical descriptors
Q14. For telepharmacy services, which of the following is most critical to ensure safe remote dispensing?
- High-resolution molecular docking
- Secure video communication, integrated EHR access, and validated workflows
- RFID implant in patients
- Unencrypted email prescriptions
Correct Answer: Secure video communication, integrated EHR access, and validated workflows
Q15. Which standard facilitates exchange of clinical data between hospitals and pharmacy systems?
- HL7
- CSS
- HTTP
- TCP/IP
Correct Answer: HL7
Q16. What is the role of clinical decision support within a Pharmacy Information System?
- Only generate invoices
- Provide dosing guidance, allergy alerts, and interaction warnings
- Perform mass spectrometry analysis
- Act as a compounding robot
Correct Answer: Provide dosing guidance, allergy alerts, and interaction warnings
Q17. Which application helps process and interpret chromatographic and mass spectrometric data for drug analysis?
- Inventory management software
- Chromatography/mass spectrometry data analysis software
- Electronic prescribing system
- Pharmacovigilance reporting tool
Correct Answer: Chromatography/mass spectrometry data analysis software
Q18. In automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs), what is a primary safety feature?
- Unlimited access without authentication
- User authentication and audit trails linked to patient orders
- Manual key locks only
- Paper logbooks for dispensing
Correct Answer: User authentication and audit trails linked to patient orders
Q19. How do cheminformatics databases like PubChem assist pharmacy students and researchers?
- By providing clinical billing codes
- By offering structures, physicochemical properties, and bioactivity data for compounds
- By replacing compounding SOPs
- By automating hospital staffing
Correct Answer: By offering structures, physicochemical properties, and bioactivity data for compounds
Q20. Which computational method is often used to screen large libraries of compounds rapidly for potential activity?
- High-throughput virtual screening (HTVS)
- Barcode inventory scanning
- Manual wet-lab screening only
- Spreadsheet bookkeeping
Correct Answer: High-throughput virtual screening (HTVS)
Q21. Which of the following best describes pharmacovigilance software?
- Software for molecular docking
- Tools for collecting, analysing and reporting adverse drug reactions
- Automated dispensing robot firmware
- Statistical package for PK modeling only
Correct Answer: Tools for collecting, analysing and reporting adverse drug reactions
Q22. What is an important consideration when validating pharmacy software used for clinical decision making?
- No need for documentation
- Formal validation with documented test cases, traceability, and performance metrics
- Only visual inspection is required
- Validation only after deployment
Correct Answer: Formal validation with documented test cases, traceability, and performance metrics
Q23. Which database type stores patient medication histories, allergies, and lab results for clinical use?
- Electronic Health Record (EHR) or Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
- ChEMBL
- PubMed
- In-house spreadsheet only
Correct Answer: Electronic Health Record (EHR) or Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
Q24. How do dispensing robots contribute to hospital pharmacy operations?
- They only deliver pharmacy staff emails
- Increase accuracy and efficiency by automated selection, counting, and packaging of medications
- Replace clinical judgment entirely
- Eliminate need for inventory control
Correct Answer: Increase accuracy and efficiency by automated selection, counting, and packaging of medications
Q25. What role does machine learning play in modern drug discovery?
- It only manages invoices
- Predicting ADMET properties, optimizing lead compounds, and analysing high-dimensional data
- Replacing laboratory glassware
- Only used for barcode creation
Correct Answer: Predicting ADMET properties, optimizing lead compounds, and analysing high-dimensional data
Q26. Which identifier system ensures unique coding for medicines across systems and supports interoperability?
- Local pharmacy names only
- Standard terminologies like RxNorm and SNOMED CT
- Random numeric codes without standards
- Handwritten labels
Correct Answer: Standard terminologies like RxNorm and SNOMED CT
Q27. Why is data security and access control critical in pharmacy information systems?
- To allow public viewing of patient data
- To protect patient privacy, comply with regulations, and prevent unauthorized medication changes
- It is optional for small pharmacies
- Because data breaches are harmless
Correct Answer: To protect patient privacy, comply with regulations, and prevent unauthorized medication changes
Q28. Which software feature aids in shelf-life and stability management of stocked pharmaceuticals?
- Pharmacokinetic modeling
- Expiry date tracking and automated alerts in inventory systems
- Mass spectrometry analysis only
- Virtual docking tools
Correct Answer: Expiry date tracking and automated alerts in inventory systems
Q29. In the context of clinical trials, what does electronic data capture (EDC) software provide?
- Automated molecular docking
- Structured, validated collection and management of trial data with audit trails
- Automatic dispensing in hospital wards
- Barcode generation for marketing materials
Correct Answer: Structured, validated collection and management of trial data with audit trails
Q30. What is a common advantage of integrating pharmacy systems with hospital EHRs?
- Duplicated medication lists with no reconciliation
- Improved medication reconciliation, reduced errors, and seamless order communication
- Slower prescription processing only
- Loss of audit trails
Correct Answer: Improved medication reconciliation, reduced errors, and seamless order communication
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