PPSC Pharmacist Past Papers | Syllabus | Jobs

Who is Pharmacist?

A pharmacist is a qualified healthcare professional responsible for preparing, dispensing, and ensuring the safe use of medicines in public hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. In Punjab, pharmacists often work under the Punjab Health Department or Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department, assisting doctors, maintaining drug inventories, and ensuring compliance with Drug Act 1976. Pharmacists play a crucial role in public health, patient counseling, and managing medicines in healthcare facilities. To be eligible, a Pharm.D degree and registration with Punjab Pharmacy Council are mandatory.

Important Pharmacist Paper Questions With Answers

1. What is pharmacology? – The study of drugs and their effects on the body.
2. What is the difference between brand and generic drugs? – Generic drugs are chemically identical but cheaper.
3. What is bioavailability? – The rate and extent a drug is absorbed into the bloodstream.
4. Name one drug used to treat hypertension. – Amlodipine.
5. What is the function of a proton pump inhibitor? – Reduces stomach acid production.
6. Define half-life of a drug. – Time taken for the drug’s concentration to reduce by half.
7. What does NSAID stand for? – Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug.
8. Give an example of an NSAID. – Ibuprofen.
9. What is the antidote for paracetamol overdose? – N-acetylcysteine.
10. What schedule class is morphine under? – Schedule II.
11. What does OTC mean? – Over-the-counter.
12. What is a teratogenic drug? – A drug that causes birth defects.
13. What is the normal route of insulin administration? – Subcutaneous injection.
14. What does a pharmacist check before dispensing? – Drug name, dose, route, frequency, and patient info.
15. What is polypharmacy? – Use of multiple medications by a patient.
16. What’s the difference between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics? – Pharmacokinetics is what the body does to the drug; pharmacodynamics is what the drug does to the body.
17. Define contraindication. – A condition where a drug shouldn’t be used.
18. What is the therapeutic index? – Ratio of toxic dose to effective dose.
19. What is the role of a clinical pharmacist? – To optimize drug therapy and patient care.
20. What is an adverse drug reaction? – A harmful or unintended effect of a drug.
21. Name a common side effect of antibiotics. – Diarrhea.
22. What is the generic name of Lipitor? – Atorvastatin.
23. What is drug interaction? – When one drug affects the action of another.
24. How should insulin be stored? – In a refrigerator between 2–8°C.
25. What is the antidote for warfarin overdose? – Vitamin K.
26. What is patient counseling? – Educating patients on proper medication use.
27. What is the use of metformin? – To treat type 2 diabetes.
28. What is a black box warning? – A serious safety warning from the FDA.
29. Name a common antihistamine. – Cetirizine.
30. What is a loading dose? – A higher first dose to achieve therapeutic level quickly.
31. What is drug compliance? – Following prescribed medication instructions.
32. Define extemporaneous compounding. – Preparing a customized medication.
33. What is the function of beta-blockers? – To reduce blood pressure and heart rate.
34. What’s the role of a hospital pharmacist? – Manage medication and assist healthcare staff.
35. Name one anticoagulant drug. – Warfarin.
36. What is the role of enzymes in drug metabolism? – Convert drugs into active or inactive forms.
37. What is the unit of insulin? – International Units (IU).
38. What is a drug formulary? – A list of approved drugs in a healthcare system.
39. What is the pH of gastric acid? – Around 1.5 to 3.5.
40. What does TID mean? – Three times a day.
41. What is a placebo? – A substance with no therapeutic effect.
42. What are controlled drugs? – Medications with abuse potential.
43. What is a drug’s shelf life? – The period a drug remains effective and safe.
44. What is medication reconciliation? – Matching current and new meds to avoid errors.
45. Define synergistic effect. – Two drugs working better together than alone.
46. What is the generic name for Zoloft? – Sertraline.
47. What is the function of diuretics? – Increase urine production.
48. What is a drug monograph? – A document detailing drug information.
49. What is the full form of GCP? – Good Clinical Practice.
50. Why is patient history important? – To prevent drug interactions and errors.

PPSC Pharmacist Syllabus

Pharmacist papers are comprised on field specific questions, General knowledge, Pakistan Studies, Islamiat and Computer applications.

Pharmaceutics

• Drug Formulation Basics, Pharmaceutical tech and drug delivery systems
• Drug action mechanism, therapeutic user, toxicology and side effects of drugs on human body
• Medicine plant overview
• Drug synthesis, design and chemical properties of drugs
• Pharmacy practices in hospitals, drug interactions and clinical pharmacy
• Pharmacy practice laws and ethical topics for practice of pharmacy in Pakistan

Current Affairs and Pakistan Affairs

• National & International events
• History of Pakistan
• Geography and culture in Pakistan

Islamic Studies

English

Everyday science including Math

Computer Science

What is Eligibility Criteria for pharmacist Jobs?