PharmacyCPA

13/02/2026

Key tips for this years GPhC exam... High-Weight Topics:

1. Focus 60–70% of your study on common clinical scenarios, dose adjustments, and patient counseling.

2. Spaced Repetition: Use flashcards for law, ethics, and BNF dose ranges to exploit the "spacing effect" for long-term retention.

3. Reference Speed: Since you may use a physical BNF in the workplace but not the exam (it is computer-based), practice navigating the digital BNF quickly to mimic exam conditions.

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10/02/2025

A 45-year-old man with hypertension visits your pharmacy to collect a prescription for ramipril. He mentions experiencing a persistent dry cough. According to NHS guidelines, what is the most appropriate course of action?

A) Advise the patient to continue ramipril and monitor symptoms
B) Suggest switching to losartan after consulting the prescriber
C) Recommend an over-the-counter cough suppressant
D) Stop the ramipril immediately

28/01/2025

A patient requests an emergency supply of their regular medication, atorvastatin, on a Saturday. According to UK pharmacy law, which condition must be met for you to provide this supply without a prescription?

A) The patient has a copy of their prescription
B) The patient has been prescribed the medication previously by an NHS prescriber
C) The medication is for immediate use, and the patient agrees to pay privately
D) The patient's GP confirms the request over the phone

21/01/2025

How long must a pharmacy retain controlled drug registers after the last entry?

A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 5 years
D) 10 years

14/01/2025

A 70-year-old patient presents with symptoms of a chest infection. They have a history of COPD and are taking salbutamol, tiotropium, and prednisolone. Which antibiotic would be appropriate to prescribe under the NICE guidelines for managing respiratory infections in this patient?

A) Azithromycin
B) Amoxicillin
C) Ciprofloxacin
D) Metronidazole

13/01/2025

Remember the Key Dates for the GPhC Registration Assessment this year:

Summer Assessment:

Application Period: Opens on Monday, 3 March 2025, and closes at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, 6 May 2025.
Assessment Date: Scheduled for 24 June 2025.
Results Release: Expected on 29 July 2025.
Autumn Assessment:

Application Period: Opens on 8 November 2024, with a deadline of 3 September 2025.
Assessment Date: Scheduled for 11 November 2025.
Results Release: Expected on 16 December 2025.

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14/01/2024

2023 has been a big year, as we move into 2024 lets take a more data driven approach to learning. Below are 5 top scientifically-backed tips to help someone studying for the GPhC exam:

1. Use of Active Study Strategies: Implementing a variety of active study strategies, such as self-testing, note-taking, and summarizing, has been shown to positively predict exam performance. Active strategies involve engaging with the material in a meaningful way, rather than passively reading or listening (Walck-Shannon, Rowell, & Frey, 2021).

2. Effective Time Management: Starting to study well in advance of the exam and spreading study sessions over time, rather than cramming, can enhance understanding and retention. However, the exact start time for studying does not necessarily correlate with exam performance, indicating the quality of study time is more important than the start time (Walck-Shannon, Rowell, & Frey, 2021).

3. Minimizing Distractions: Reducing distractions during study sessions is crucial. Research indicates that distraction while studying negatively impacts exam performance. Strategies to minimize distractions could include studying in a quiet environment or using tools to block distracting websites or apps (Walck-Shannon, Rowell, & Frey, 2021).

4. Regular Self-testing: Incorporating self-assessment techniques, like practice quizzes or flashcards, helps in consolidating knowledge and assessing understanding. This approach is especially useful for long-term retention of information (Ali, 2021).

5. Distributed Practice and Online Study-Aids: Using online resources and study aids to spread learning over a semester can improve performance. These tools often provide distributed practice opportunities and practice testing, which are effective learning strategies (Poorthuis & Dijk, 2020).

A combination of active study strategies, effective time management, minimizing distractions, regular self-testing, and utilizing distributed practice and online study aids can significantly enhance exam preparation and performance.

04/01/2023

Here are ten tips for preparing for the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Exam:

1) Understand the exam format and content. Familiarize yourself with the structure of the exam and the types of questions that are likely to be asked.

2) Use study aids and resources. There are a number of study aids and resources available to help you prepare for the GPhC Exam, including textbooks, review courses, and online practice exams.

3) Create a study schedule. Develop a study schedule that allows you to cover all of the material you need to know in a timely and organized manner.

4) Review key concepts and practice problem-solving. Focus on understanding key concepts and practice applying them to solve problems.

5) Understand how to interpret and apply guidelines and regulations. Familiarize yourself with relevant guidelines and regulations, and practice applying them to real-world scenarios.

6) Practice time management skills. Make sure you are able to manage your time effectively during the exam.

7) Take care of your physical and mental health. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating well, and engaging in activities that help you relax and reduce stress.

8) Seek help if you need it. If you are having difficulty with the material, don't hesitate to seek help from a tutor or study group.

9) Review past exam questions. Look for practice questions and sample exams from previous years to get a sense of the types of questions that are likely to be asked on the exam.

10) Don't wait until the last minute to study. Start studying early and allow yourself plenty of time to review and practice before the exam.

01/07/2022

GPhC confirms provisional registration for some trainees hit by exam chaos...Eligible candidates who were affected by technical issues at the registration exam on June 29 will be granted provisional registration, the GPhC has confirmed.

On 29 June 2022, just under 2,700 candidates sat the registration assessment in test centres across the UK. Although the majority of candidates were able to complete the assessment with no issues, some candidates experienced delays in starting either Paper 1 or Paper 2 due to IT or other technical i...

03/03/2022

Which of the following statements is correct about transdermal drug administration?
a. Most drugs can permeate the skin and enter the systemic circulation.
b. Transdermal absorption achieves a fast onset of drug action.
c. The skin is tolerant to most drugs and chemicals in transdermal delivery systems.
d. Transdermal administration produces minimal variations in drug absorption.
e. Hair follicles are a determinant in limiting transdermal drug absorption.