Introduction
Design, layout and records maintenance of community pharmacy are foundational topics for B.Pharm students preparing for practical pharmacy practice. Effective pharmacy design and ergonomic layout improve workflow, patient safety, inventory control and regulatory compliance. Key concepts include dispensing counter planning, storage zones, temperature control, controlled-drug security, signage, compounding area design, waste management and SOPs. Accurate records maintenance—prescription logs, stock registers, batch and expiry tracking, temperature logs and audit trails—ensures traceability, legal adherence and quality assurance. Mastery of these principles helps pharmacists optimize operations, reduce errors and provide better patient counselling. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which principle describes arranging stock so older items are used before newer ones?
- Last Expiry First Out
- First In First Out
- Random Stock Rotation
- First Expired Last Out
Correct Answer: First In First Out
Q2. In community pharmacy layout, which area should be nearest to the main entrance for easy access?
- Storage for controlled drugs
- Patient counselling and OTC area
- Compounding laboratory
- Hazardous waste storage
Correct Answer: Patient counselling and OTC area
Q3. What is the primary purpose of maintaining a temperature log in a pharmacy?
- To record staff shift timings
- To ensure cold chain integrity for temperature-sensitive medicines
- To track sales trends
- To monitor customer footfall
Correct Answer: To ensure cold chain integrity for temperature-sensitive medicines
Q4. Which document records the receipt and issue of narcotic drugs in many pharmacies?
- Temperature register
- Narcotics register
- Patient counselling form
- Disposal manifest
Correct Answer: Narcotics register
Q5. What does SOP stand for in pharmacy operations?
- Standard Operational Pricing
- Standard Operating Procedure
- Safety and Operations Protocol
- Stock Oversight Policy
Correct Answer: Standard Operating Procedure
Q6. Which layout feature improves workflow by minimizing unnecessary movement between receiving, storage and dispensing?
- Dispersed workstations
- Zoning with sequential workflow
- Random shelving
- Open floor plan without zones
Correct Answer: Zoning with sequential workflow
Q7. Which practice helps prevent dispensing of expired medicines?
- Mixing old and new stock together
- Segregating expired stock and labeling clearly
- Hiding expired items behind other products
- Relying solely on memory to remove expired stock
Correct Answer: Segregating expired stock and labeling clearly
Q8. For vaccine storage, what is the generally recommended temperature range?
- -20°C to -10°C
- 2°C to 8°C
- 15°C to 25°C
- 10°C to 15°C
Correct Answer: 2°C to 8°C
Q9. Which record is essential to track batch number, expiry date and supplier details for drug recall readiness?
- Prescription counselling notes
- Batch and batch-wise stock register
- Temperature logbook
- Staff attendance sheet
Correct Answer: Batch and batch-wise stock register
Q10. Which design element enhances patient confidentiality during counselling?
- Loud public address announcements
- Dedicated private counselling area
- Open shelving behind the counter
- Shared seating with no partitions
Correct Answer: Dedicated private counselling area
Q11. What is an important security measure for controlled substances in a community pharmacy?
- Storing them on open display
- Keeping them in locked cabinets with restricted access
- Allowing all staff unrestricted access
- Storing them with OTC medicines
Correct Answer: Keeping them in locked cabinets with restricted access
Q12. Which inventory method is most effective for identifying shrinkage and discrepancies?
- Periodic physical stock reconciliation
- Ignoring stock counts
- Only relying on sales invoices
- Counting stock once every five years
Correct Answer: Periodic physical stock reconciliation
Q13. Which signage is important in a pharmacy layout for regulatory compliance and patient guidance?
- Parking rules only
- Clear signage for prescription drop-off, counselling area and emergency exits
- Only promotional posters
- Staff-only motivational quotes
Correct Answer: Clear signage for prescription drop-off, counselling area and emergency exits
Q14. Why is ergonomic counter height important in a pharmacy?
- To display products better
- To reduce staff musculoskeletal strain and improve dispensing accuracy
- To increase shelf space
- To complicate customer interactions
Correct Answer: To reduce staff musculoskeletal strain and improve dispensing accuracy
Q15. Which of the following is a recommended practice for drug returns and recalls?
- Mix returned items back into stock without inspection
- Quarantine returned items and document reason before disposition
- Immediately discard all returns without records
- Resell returned goods at a discount
Correct Answer: Quarantine returned items and document reason before disposition
Q16. Which electronic practice improves records maintenance and retrieval?
- Keeping only paper files in random order
- Using a computerized pharmacy management system with backups
- Storing records on a single unbacked USB drive
- No record keeping
Correct Answer: Using a computerized pharmacy management system with backups
Q17. What is the main purpose of a dispensing label including patient name, directions and expiry?
- To decorate the package
- To provide accurate usage instructions and safety information to the patient
- To increase the price
- To conceal drug information
Correct Answer: To provide accurate usage instructions and safety information to the patient
Q18. Which area should be separated to prevent contamination during compounding?
- OTC display from window
- Compounding area from dispensing and public areas
- Staff break room from restrooms
- Parking area from entrance
Correct Answer: Compounding area from dispensing and public areas
Q19. What is a key element of good records maintenance for controlled drugs?
- Vague entries without dates
- Detailed entries with date, quantity, batch and signatures
- Only verbal acknowledgements
- Erasing old entries frequently
Correct Answer: Detailed entries with date, quantity, batch and signatures
Q20. Which waste handling practice is appropriate for expired cytotoxic medications?
- Flush them down the sink
- Follow hazardous waste protocols and use approved disposal routes
- Throw them in general trash
- Donate them
Correct Answer: Follow hazardous waste protocols and use approved disposal routes
Q21. Why is lighting important in pharmacy layout?
- Only to highlight advertisements
- To ensure accurate dispensing and reduce errors by improving visibility
- To increase electricity bills
- To distract staff
Correct Answer: To ensure accurate dispensing and reduce errors by improving visibility
Q22. Which information should be recorded at the time of receiving new drug stock?
- Batch number, expiry date, quantity and supplier details
- Only the supplier name
- Only the selling price
- Only the date of sale
Correct Answer: Batch number, expiry date, quantity and supplier details
Q23. How should temperature-sensitive stock be arranged within a refrigerator?
- Piled randomly
- Organized by product type with adequate air circulation and temperature monitoring
- Stored in sealed boxes blocking vents
- Placed near the door only
Correct Answer: Organized by product type with adequate air circulation and temperature monitoring
Q24. What is the advantage of a clear dispensing workflow map in a community pharmacy?
- Creates confusion among staff
- Improves efficiency, reduces errors and clarifies responsibilities
- Makes tasks longer
- Removes need for training
Correct Answer: Improves efficiency, reduces errors and clarifies responsibilities
Q25. Which is a critical record for monitoring expiry-related stock losses?
- Customer feedback log
- Expiry and disposal register
- Staff holiday calendar
- Promotional discount sheet
Correct Answer: Expiry and disposal register
Q26. What should be done when temperature excursions occur in cold storage?
- Ignore and continue use
- Document the excursion, quarantine affected stock and follow SOPs for assessment
- Sell affected products at full price
- Remove temperature logbook
Correct Answer: Document the excursion, quarantine affected stock and follow SOPs for assessment
Q27. Which factor is important for shelving design in dispensing area?
- Unstable shelves for quick changes
- Clear labelling, adjustable shelving and safe load capacity
- Shelves hidden behind the counter only
- Placing light bulbs inside medicine boxes
Correct Answer: Clear labelling, adjustable shelving and safe load capacity
Q28. For regulatory compliance, which patient-related record is commonly maintained in a community pharmacy?
- Prescription record with details of medication supplied
- Only the patient’s age
- Only the patient’s photograph
- No patient-related records
Correct Answer: Prescription record with details of medication supplied
Q29. Which staff practice enhances accuracy in dispensing and record keeping?
- Skipping barcode scanning
- Double-checking prescriptions and recording all transactions promptly
- Recording transactions at week end from memory
- Allowing customers to write entries
Correct Answer: Double-checking prescriptions and recording all transactions promptly
Q30. What is the role of periodic internal audits in pharmacy records maintenance?
- To hide discrepancies
- To identify gaps, ensure compliance and improve systems
- To reduce documentation
- To prevent staff training
Correct Answer: To identify gaps, ensure compliance and improve systems
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