Report preparation and distribution records MCQs With Answer is an essential study area for B.Pharm students focusing on accurate documentation, regulatory compliance, and quality systems. This topic covers report preparation, formatting, content requirements, distribution logs, controlled copies, retention, archival, SOPs, GLP/GMP principles, electronic records, audit trails, data integrity (ALCOA+), and chain of custody. Mastery helps in QC/QA activities, regulatory inspections, batch release, and CAPA documentation. Practical skills include creating clear reports, maintaining distribution records, version control, and ensuring authorized access. These core competencies support patient safety and product quality through reliable documentation practices. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. What is the primary purpose of distribution records in pharmaceutical practice?
- To document formulation recipes used during manufacturing
- To track distribution and receipt of finished products
- To record staff training schedules
- To list laboratory equipment calibration dates
Correct Answer: To track distribution and receipt of finished products
Q2. Which element is essential when preparing a formal quality report?
- Detailed marketing plan
- Clear statement of objective and scope
- Personal opinions of staff
- Only raw data without interpretation
Correct Answer: Clear statement of objective and scope
Q3. ALCOA is a data integrity acronym. What does the “C” stand for?
- Complete
- Contemporaneous
- Consistent
- Confidential
Correct Answer: Contemporaneous
Q4. Which regulation specifically addresses electronic records and electronic signatures in the US?
- ICH Q7
- 21 CFR Part 11
- EU Annex 1
- ISO 9001
Correct Answer: 21 CFR Part 11
Q5. What is a “controlled copy” of a document?
- A draft version for internal review only
- An unofficial copy kept for reference
- An authorized copy issued with distribution control
- A personal note version of the master
Correct Answer: An authorized copy issued with distribution control
Q6. Which section is typically included in a laboratory report?
- Vendor marketing brochure
- Method, results, discussion, and conclusion
- Employee salaries
- Company strategic plan
Correct Answer: Method, results, discussion, and conclusion
Q7. Distribution records should be retained according to:
- Only verbal agreements
- Company SOPs and applicable regulatory requirements
- Employee preference
- Marketing department timelines
Correct Answer: Company SOPs and applicable regulatory requirements
Q8. What is the primary risk of poor report formatting and unclear records?
- Reduced tablet hardness
- Regulatory non-compliance and misinterpretation of data
- Increased advertising costs
- Higher inventory levels
Correct Answer: Regulatory non-compliance and misinterpretation of data
Q9. An audit trail in electronic records is used to:
- Track changes and who made them
- Delete unwanted entries automatically
- Create marketing reports
- Hide authorization signatures
Correct Answer: Track changes and who made them
Q10. Which practice helps ensure distribution records are reliable?
- Allowing multiple untracked edits
- Maintaining version control and signature authorization
- Storing records only on personal devices
- Using ambiguous identifiers
Correct Answer: Maintaining version control and signature authorization
Q11. What is included in a master batch record distribution log?
- Supplier phone numbers only
- Details of shipped batches, recipients, dates, and quantities
- Employee vacation schedules
- Marketing forecasts
Correct Answer: Details of shipped batches, recipients, dates, and quantities
Q12. Which quality system addresses corrective and preventive actions related to reports?
- CAPA
- FIFO
- ERP
- CRM
Correct Answer: CAPA
Q13. When distributing confidential reports, which control is most important?
- Open public posting
- Access restricted to authorized personnel only
- Printing unlimited copies
- Sharing via personal emails
Correct Answer: Access restricted to authorized personnel only
Q14. What does “retention period” refer to in distribution records management?
- Time to wait before first distribution
- Duration records must be stored before disposal
- Time to manufacture a batch
- Period for employee appraisal
Correct Answer: Duration records must be stored before disposal
Q15. Which of the following is a best practice for electronic report backups?
- Single local copy only
- Regular automated backups with off-site storage
- No backups to save space
- Manual copying to random USB drives
Correct Answer: Regular automated backups with off-site storage
Q16. Which document defines who receives specific reports within a company?
- Distribution list or distribution matrix
- Employee handbook
- Marketing campaign plan
- Supplier invoice
Correct Answer: Distribution list or distribution matrix
Q17. Which entry should always be present on a signed report page?
- Signature, printed name, date, and authorized title
- Employee social media handle
- Personal phone number
- Handwritten margin notes without date
Correct Answer: Signature, printed name, date, and authorized title
Q18. A deviation report should document all EXCEPT:
- Description of the deviation
- Immediate containment actions
- Root cause analysis and corrective actions
- Irrelevant rumors about staff
Correct Answer: Irrelevant rumors about staff
Q19. Which is a characteristic of a well-prepared distribution record?
- Ambiguous recipient identifiers
- Clear recipient name, address, batch number, and date
- Missing batch numbers
- Handwritten entries with no signature
Correct Answer: Clear recipient name, address, batch number, and date
Q20. Which practice supports data integrity in report preparation?
- Allowing post-hoc undocumented changes
- Using audit trails and timestamped entries
- Deleting raw data after summary is made
- Sharing passwords among staff
Correct Answer: Using audit trails and timestamped entries
Q21. What is the role of SOPs in report preparation and distribution?
- SOPs are optional suggestions
- They provide standardized procedures and responsibilities
- SOPs are only for production staff
- SOPs replace regulatory requirements
Correct Answer: They provide standardized procedures and responsibilities
Q22. In a distribution log, the “chain of custody” documents:
- Financial transactions only
- Transfer of product custody from one party to another
- Marketing approvals
- Only manufacturing yields
Correct Answer: Transfer of product custody from one party to another
Q23. Which format is preferred for long-term archival of critical records?
- Encrypted electronic format with integrity checks
- Handwritten notes on loose paper
- Photographs stored on a personal phone
- Temporary clipboard files
Correct Answer: Encrypted electronic format with integrity checks
Q24. Version control in report documents ensures:
- Multiple conflicting copies circulate
- The latest approved version is identified and distributed
- No record of changes is kept
- All drafts are treated as final
Correct Answer: The latest approved version is identified and distributed
Q25. During inspections, regulators often review distribution records to verify:
- Product marketing slogans
- Traceability of products and compliance with release procedures
- Employee salaries
- Office supply inventory
Correct Answer: Traceability of products and compliance with release procedures
Q26. What should be done if an error is found in a printed report page?
- Erase it without record
- Follow SOP for corrections: strike-through, initial, date, and remark
- Discard the entire report silently
- Ignore and proceed
Correct Answer: Follow SOP for corrections: strike-through, initial, date, and remark
Q27. Which of these is NOT a component of an effective distribution record?
- Recipient signature upon receipt
- Product batch number and quantity
- Unverified verbal confirmations only
- Date and time of shipment or receipt
Correct Answer: Unverified verbal confirmations only
Q28. How does metadata support electronic distribution records?
- By providing context like author, timestamps, and version
- By deleting original data automatically
- By obscuring user identities
- By converting files to images only
Correct Answer: By providing context like author, timestamps, and version
Q29. Which practice improves traceability during product recall?
- Maintaining detailed distribution records linked to batch numbers
- Removing all shipping labels
- Using generic batch identifiers for all products
- Storing distribution records without dates
Correct Answer: Maintaining detailed distribution records linked to batch numbers
Q30. What is an important consideration when distributing reports externally to regulatory bodies?
- Ensure reports are unsigned and unsigned data only
- Follow confidentiality, authorized distribution list, and required formatting
- Send internal draft versions without approval
- Use personal email accounts for transmission
Correct Answer: Follow confidentiality, authorized distribution list, and required formatting

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

