MPJE Licensure and Personnel Roles 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A pharmacist's license is suspended while under investigation. During the suspension period, the pharmacist may:
- Continue dispensing under the supervision of another licensed pharmacist
- Perform no pharmacy duties that require a license (Correct answer)
- Consult with patients about over-the-counter medications only
- Work as a pharmacy technician under direct supervision
Correct answer: Perform no pharmacy duties that require a license
A suspended pharmacist license means the individual cannot perform any duties that require licensure until the suspension is lifted.
Question 2: Which entity has primary authority to discipline a pharmacist for violations of federal pharmacy law?
- The DEA for controlled substance violations and the state board for other violations (Correct answer)
- The FDA exclusively
- The state board of pharmacy exclusively
- The FTC in conjunction with the state board
Correct answer: The DEA for controlled substance violations and the state board for other violations
The DEA enforces federal controlled substance law, while state boards of pharmacy handle state law violations and professional conduct matters.
Question 3: A pharmacy intern who has graduated from pharmacy school but has not yet passed the NAPLEX may:
- Practice as a pharmacist under any licensed pharmacist's supervision
- Continue intern activities only under the supervision of a preceptor (Correct answer)
- Dispense medications independently in emergency situations
- Obtain a temporary pharmacist license valid for 90 days
Correct answer: Continue intern activities only under the supervision of a preceptor
A graduate intern remains an intern until licensure is granted; they must continue working under preceptor supervision.
Question 4: Under NABP Model Rules, which of the following actions requires a pharmacist-in-charge (PIC)?
- Every DEA Schedule III prescription dispensed
- Each pharmacy location must designate a PIC (Correct answer)
- Any pharmacy employing more than five technicians
- Any pharmacy open more than 12 hours per day
Correct answer: Each pharmacy location must designate a PIC
Each pharmacy location is required to have one designated pharmacist-in-charge responsible for legal compliance of that location.
Question 5: A pharmacist holds an active license in State A and moves to State B. To practice in State B, the pharmacist must:
- File a reciprocity application with State B's board of pharmacy (Correct answer)
- Simply notify State B that they hold a valid license in State A
- Retake the NAPLEX examination in State B
- Obtain a federal interstate pharmacy permit
Correct answer: File a reciprocity application with State B's board of pharmacy
Licensure by reciprocity (or endorsement) requires a formal application to the new state's board of pharmacy.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the 'corresponding responsibility' doctrine in pharmacy?
- Both the prescriber and pharmacist share responsibility for ensuring a prescription is valid (Correct answer)
- Pharmacists are responsible only for dispensing errors, not prescribing errors
- State boards share enforcement responsibility with the federal government equally
- Pharmacists must correspond with prescribers before filling every new prescription
Correct answer: Both the prescriber and pharmacist share responsibility for ensuring a prescription is valid
The corresponding responsibility doctrine holds that both the prescriber and the dispensing pharmacist share responsibility for the legitimacy of a prescription.
Question 7: A pharmacist who allows their license to lapse for two years wishes to reinstate it. Most state boards would require:
- Only payment of a reinstatement fee
- Retaking the MPJE only, not the NAPLEX
- Completion of continuing education and possibly competency assessment (Correct answer)
- A federal waiver from the DEA before reinstatement
Correct answer: Completion of continuing education and possibly competency assessment
Reinstatement after a prolonged lapse typically requires proof of continuing education hours and may include a competency examination.
MPJE Licensure and Personnel Roles 2
A pharmacist's license is suspended while under investigation.
During the suspension period, the pharmacist may: