South Carolina Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) Practice Exam

How should a pharmacist handle outdated or adulterated drugs?

1. Return them to the supplier

2. Report them to the BOP

3. Remove them as per policies and procedures

4. Dispose of them in regular waste

The correct answer is: Remove them as per policies and procedures

The appropriate handling of outdated or adulterated drugs by a pharmacist is crucial for ensuring patient safety and compliance with regulations. The correct answer emphasizes the importance of following established policies and procedures for the removal of these drugs from the pharmacy inventory. This process typically involves ensuring that the drugs are safely segregated and properly managed to prevent any potential misuse or accidental dispensing. By removing outdated or adulterated drugs according to specific policies, pharmacists can ensure they are not available for patient use, thereby protecting public health. This approach also helps in maintaining an organized and compliant pharmacy environment. Following institutional guidelines often involves proper documentation and may include procedures for disposing of the drugs in a manner that meets state and federal regulations, which emphasizes the pharmacist's role in promoting safe medication practices. In contrast, while returning outdated medications to suppliers or reporting to the Board of Pharmacy are steps that could be part of a broader protocol, they do not directly address the immediate action needed to handle these drugs properly. Disposing of them in regular waste is contrary to guidelines for hazardous waste disposal and could lead to environmental issues and legal repercussions.