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
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Operating as usual
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
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
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
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.
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.