Ace MEP Questions: Focused Review and Practice
What is the maximum dose of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine that can be sold OTC? - correct answer
✔✔Legal restrictions on the maximum quantity of pseudoephedrine (720mg) and ephedrine (180mg)
that can be sold, and the restriction against selling the two medicines together in a single transaction
(Regulation 237 of Human Medicines Regulations 2012). Can refuse sale if suspect misuse.
What are the 4 principles of medicines optimization? - correct answer ✔✔1. Aim to understand patient's
experience
2. Evidence-based choice of medicines
3. Ensure medicines use is as safe as possible
4. Make medicines optimization part of routine practice
What are the revalidation requirements for pharmacy professionals? - correct answer ✔✔Submit 6
records a year - 4 CPD (at least 2 planned), a peer discussion and a reflective account.
What are the GPhC Pharmacy Professional Standards? - correct answer ✔✔1. Provide person-centred
care
2. Work in partnership with others
3 Communicate effectively
4. Maintain, develop and use their professional knowledge and skills
5. Use professional judgement
6. Behave in a professional manner
7. Respect and maintain the person's confidentiality and privacy
8. Speak up when they have concerns or when things go wrong
9. Demonstrate leadership
What are the 3 classes of medication along with their requirements? - correct answer ✔✔General Sale
List (GSL) - can be sold in retail outlets and pharmacies (that can close as to exclude the public). Have an
EU or UK MA. PO term is sometimes used for GSL meds which manufacturer wishes tor restrict sales
through pharmacies only e.g. 30 Fybogel sachets. Can sell GSL medicines when RP absent.
,Pharmacy (P) medicines - can be sold in a pharmacy. Additional legal and professional considerations e.g.
PPIs, tamsulosin, sildenafil. Not for self selection (behind a counter).
GSL + P medicines = OTC medicines
Prescription only medicine (POM) = requires a prescription required by an appropriate practitioner.
What is the dose of levonorgestrel and what is it licensed for as EHC? - correct answer ✔✔Levonrgestrel
1500 microgram tablet.
Licensed for women aged 16 years or over for EC within 72 hours.
What is the dose of ulipristal and what is it licensed for as EHC? - correct answer ✔✔Ulipristal acetate
30mg (Ella One) -
Licensed for EC within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sex.
Can you provide an advance supply of EHC? - correct answer ✔✔Yes - pharmacists can supply if clinically
appropriate and patient is competent.
Which EHC would be used in under 16s? - correct answer ✔✔Ulipristal acetate. Supply to under 16s is
not contraindicated by manufacturer. However, should NOT be given to under 13s as too young to
consent (report to social services). Can supply to 13-16 year old providing no suspicion of abuse.
What is the most effective emergency contraceptive method? - correct answer ✔✔An intrauterine
device (IUD) is considered the most effective emergency contraceptive method. A copper IUD is the type
used for emergency contraception. However, in a situation where you need to act quickly, fitting an IUD
takes time and involves an invasive and sometimes uncomfortable procedure.14
A copper IUD can be fitted up to 120 hours (five days) after unprotected sex, however its use is restricted
by its availability and the need for it to be inserted by a skilled healthcare professional.
Which EHC methods are effected by CYP3A4 inducers? - correct answer ✔✔Copper IUD is only EHC not
effected by CYP3A4 inducers.
With EHC pills - this may result in reduced efficacy.
, Can take double the dose of levonorgestrel
What are the legal restrictions for paracetamol and aspirin? - correct answer ✔✔Paracetamol - not more
than 100 non effervescent tablets or capsules to a person at any one time (usually max 96 sold OTC).
Aspirin - same as paracetamol.
What are the legal restrictions for codeine and dihydrocodeine and why is this the case? - correct answer
✔✔Potential for misuse so now restricted to short-term use only for acute, moderate pain that is not
relieved by paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin alone (Can cause addiction. For 3 days use only on box).
NOT for cold, cough, flu, sore throat or minor pain.
Any pack size containing more than 32 tablets is a POM.
Can only sell one pack OTC.
Which medicines have been reclassified from POM to P? - correct answer ✔✔- Amorlifine nail lacquer
- Anti-malarials
- Chloramphenicol eye drops and ointment
- Emergency contraception
- Mometasone 0.05% nasal spray
- PPIs
- Orlistat
- Sildenafil
- Sumatriptan
- Tamsulosin
- Tranexamic acid
Which medicine has been reclassified from GSL to P and why? - correct answer ✔✔Oral Lidocaine-
containing products for teething in children e.g. anbesol. Now pack sizes of 10g.
What is the maximum dose of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine that can be sold OTC? - correct answer
✔✔Legal restrictions on the maximum quantity of pseudoephedrine (720mg) and ephedrine (180mg)
that can be sold, and the restriction against selling the two medicines together in a single transaction
(Regulation 237 of Human Medicines Regulations 2012). Can refuse sale if suspect misuse.
What are the 4 principles of medicines optimization? - correct answer ✔✔1. Aim to understand patient's
experience
2. Evidence-based choice of medicines
3. Ensure medicines use is as safe as possible
4. Make medicines optimization part of routine practice
What are the revalidation requirements for pharmacy professionals? - correct answer ✔✔Submit 6
records a year - 4 CPD (at least 2 planned), a peer discussion and a reflective account.
What are the GPhC Pharmacy Professional Standards? - correct answer ✔✔1. Provide person-centred
care
2. Work in partnership with others
3 Communicate effectively
4. Maintain, develop and use their professional knowledge and skills
5. Use professional judgement
6. Behave in a professional manner
7. Respect and maintain the person's confidentiality and privacy
8. Speak up when they have concerns or when things go wrong
9. Demonstrate leadership
What are the 3 classes of medication along with their requirements? - correct answer ✔✔General Sale
List (GSL) - can be sold in retail outlets and pharmacies (that can close as to exclude the public). Have an
EU or UK MA. PO term is sometimes used for GSL meds which manufacturer wishes tor restrict sales
through pharmacies only e.g. 30 Fybogel sachets. Can sell GSL medicines when RP absent.
,Pharmacy (P) medicines - can be sold in a pharmacy. Additional legal and professional considerations e.g.
PPIs, tamsulosin, sildenafil. Not for self selection (behind a counter).
GSL + P medicines = OTC medicines
Prescription only medicine (POM) = requires a prescription required by an appropriate practitioner.
What is the dose of levonorgestrel and what is it licensed for as EHC? - correct answer ✔✔Levonrgestrel
1500 microgram tablet.
Licensed for women aged 16 years or over for EC within 72 hours.
What is the dose of ulipristal and what is it licensed for as EHC? - correct answer ✔✔Ulipristal acetate
30mg (Ella One) -
Licensed for EC within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sex.
Can you provide an advance supply of EHC? - correct answer ✔✔Yes - pharmacists can supply if clinically
appropriate and patient is competent.
Which EHC would be used in under 16s? - correct answer ✔✔Ulipristal acetate. Supply to under 16s is
not contraindicated by manufacturer. However, should NOT be given to under 13s as too young to
consent (report to social services). Can supply to 13-16 year old providing no suspicion of abuse.
What is the most effective emergency contraceptive method? - correct answer ✔✔An intrauterine
device (IUD) is considered the most effective emergency contraceptive method. A copper IUD is the type
used for emergency contraception. However, in a situation where you need to act quickly, fitting an IUD
takes time and involves an invasive and sometimes uncomfortable procedure.14
A copper IUD can be fitted up to 120 hours (five days) after unprotected sex, however its use is restricted
by its availability and the need for it to be inserted by a skilled healthcare professional.
Which EHC methods are effected by CYP3A4 inducers? - correct answer ✔✔Copper IUD is only EHC not
effected by CYP3A4 inducers.
With EHC pills - this may result in reduced efficacy.
, Can take double the dose of levonorgestrel
What are the legal restrictions for paracetamol and aspirin? - correct answer ✔✔Paracetamol - not more
than 100 non effervescent tablets or capsules to a person at any one time (usually max 96 sold OTC).
Aspirin - same as paracetamol.
What are the legal restrictions for codeine and dihydrocodeine and why is this the case? - correct answer
✔✔Potential for misuse so now restricted to short-term use only for acute, moderate pain that is not
relieved by paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin alone (Can cause addiction. For 3 days use only on box).
NOT for cold, cough, flu, sore throat or minor pain.
Any pack size containing more than 32 tablets is a POM.
Can only sell one pack OTC.
Which medicines have been reclassified from POM to P? - correct answer ✔✔- Amorlifine nail lacquer
- Anti-malarials
- Chloramphenicol eye drops and ointment
- Emergency contraception
- Mometasone 0.05% nasal spray
- PPIs
- Orlistat
- Sildenafil
- Sumatriptan
- Tamsulosin
- Tranexamic acid
Which medicine has been reclassified from GSL to P and why? - correct answer ✔✔Oral Lidocaine-
containing products for teething in children e.g. anbesol. Now pack sizes of 10g.
