Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence Examination for Pharmacy Technicians

Registration Requirement

• Candidates must successfully complete the examination in Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence for Pharmacy Technicians provided by the College.
• The examination is offered 4 times a year.
• The examination is valid on Application for a Certificate of Registration as a Pharmacy Technician for 3 years from the date of successful completion.¹
• Candidates may attempt the examination a maximum of three times in any twenty-four month period.¹
• The examination can be taken after graduation from a CCAPP-accredited pharmacy technician program. For candidates who have completed either the certification exam or the PEBC evaluating exam, completion of the bridging program is strongly recommended prior to attempting the Jurisprudence exam. Pre-registration with the College is required.
• The Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence Examination may be offered in French if candidates provide notice with their application.
• Request for special testing accommodations will be considered on an individual basis. Supporting documentation will be required.

¹As per the Registration Regulation of the College’s General Regulationbeing Ontario Regulation 202/94 made under the Pharmacy Act.

Examination Study Materials

The Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence Examination for Pharmacy Technicians is based on the Ontario College of Pharmacists' policies, standards and guidelines, and Federal and Provincial acts and their regulations, which control the production, distribution, advertising, sale and use of drugs. The most recent regulations governing pharmacy practice in Ontario, Federal and Provincial pharmacy laws, are available through the College’s website by selecting the tab “Laws and Regulations” under Fast Track. For most current versions, use the e-Laws link. College standards, policies and guidelines can be found under the Professional Practice tab. Candidates should be familiar with the practical interpretation of all these materials as it affects current pharmacy practice in Ontario. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

Benzodiazepines and Other Targeted Substances Regulations
Code of Ethics
Controlled Drug and Substances Act and Regulations and Schedules
Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act and Regulations
Drug Interchangeability and Dispensing Fee Act and Regulations
Food and Drugs Act and Regulations and Schedules
Narcotic Control Regulations
National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) Drug Schedules
NAPRA Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry-to-Practice
Ontario College of Pharmacists Bylaws and Policies
Ontario Drug Benefit Act and Regulations; Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary
Personal Health Information Protection Act
Pharmacy Act and Regulations
Regulated Health Professions Act and Code
Required Reference Guide for Pharmacies

PHARMACEUTICAL JURISPRUDENCE EXAMINATION BLUEPRINT FOR PHARMACY TECHNICIANS

Although a candidate should have a thorough knowledge of all legislation affecting the practice of pharmacy, it is suggested that the following matters, as they are dealt with in the various Acts and Regulations, standards and policies receive particular attention.

Exam Section	Subtopics
A. Conditions for Sale* Total = 20	Schedules, Food and Drug Act, Natural Health Products,
B. Narcotics/Controlled Drugs* Total = 20	Prescription requirements, record-keeping, storage, disposal, loss,
C. Filling & Labelling Total = 25	Filling and labelling prescriptions, prescription authorization, transfers, copies, compounding, child-resistant packaging, receipts, mailing,
D. Billing & Pricing Total = 11	Fees, ODB, interchangeability, no-substitution, ODB Formulary,
E. Pharmacy Operations Total = 9	Operation requirements, ownership, accreditation, inspections, opening/closing, designated manager, pharmacy supervision, advertising,
F. College Structures/Entry to Practice/Scope of Practice Total = 14	Scope of practice, registration requirements for RPhT, controlled acts, committees (discipline, complaints, registration…)
G. Ethics/Standards/Responsibilities Total = 21	Standards of practice, documentation, , confidentiality, professional misconduct, reporting,
Total # of Items = 120

*Candidates are provided with the National Drug Schedules (by NAPRA) and the Summary of Federal and Provincial Laws chart (by OCP) both available in English.


SAMPLE QUESTIONS

The following are sample examination questions. The exam questions consist of a multiple choice format with the one best possible answer from a choice of three or four possible options.

Sample Questions

The following are sample examination questions. The exam questions consist of a multiple choice format with only one correct answer from a choice of three or four possible answers.

1. What is the condition for sale for Ibuprofen (Advil®) 200 mg tablets?
a) May be sold in any retail outlet.
b) May be sold from the self-selection area of the pharmacy.
c) Requires professional intervention from the pharmacist.
d) Requires a prescription

2. What is the condition for sale for tincture of Iodine 5% Topical?
a) May be sold in any retail outlet.
b) May be sold from the self-selection area of the pharmacy.
c) Requires professional intervention from the pharmacist.
d) Requires a prescription.

3. According to the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act, what information should go on the prescription label for a patient's prescription?
a) The patient's address.
b) The expiry date of the drug.
c) The prescription identification number.
d) The address of the prescribing physician.

4. If your pharmacy uses a compliance aid such as a Dosett®, what information must be included on the label?
a) An auxiliary label reading, "In case of emergency please call your local poison control centre".
b) The lot numbers and expiry dates of the packaged drugs.
c) Identification and description of the contents.
d) A medication administration record for signing off each dose dispensed.

5. What is the function of the Ontario College of Pharmacists?
a) Negotiate with the Ontario government regarding dispensing fees.
b) Enforce accreditation standards in hospital pharmacies.
c) Regulate the practice of pharmacy in Ontario.

6. Which of the following situations is considered “professional misconduct”?
a) Failing to provide a prescription delivery service
b) Offering a store coupon for purchasing OTC merchandise
c) Failing to keep records on dialogue regarding all non-prescription drugs
d) Returning a previously dispensed drug to stock

7. Which name is permissible for a nutrition and health food store in Ontario?a) Mother Nature’s Medicinesb) Wellness Pharmacyc) Healthy Herbald) Holistic Drug Mart

Answers: 1a, 2b, 3c, 4c, 5c, 6d, 7c,

MINIMUM PERFORMANCE LEVELS

The Ontario College of Pharmacists has undertaken a standard setting process to ensure that the items or questions on the examinations are relevant to practice and test a wide range of knowledge. A Minimum Performance Level (MPL) is set for each item by a committee of practicing pharmacists. The passing mark for each examination sitting is determined by summing up the minimum performance level across all items for a particular examination.

All candidate responses are subject to an item analysis to ensure the psychometric integrity of each item. Any item failing to meet the criteria will be eliminated from the test scoring and the MPL for the examination will be adjusted accordingly.