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Sample DOH Pharmacist Exam Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the DOH Pharmacist Exam exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A pharmacist is reviewing the mechanism of action of common antihypertensives. Lisinopril lowers blood pressure primarily by which mechanism?
A.Inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme, reducing angiotensin II formation
B.Blocking angiotensin II receptors at the AT1 receptor
C.Blocking beta-1 adrenergic receptors in the heart
D.Inhibiting the sodium-chloride cotransporter in the distal tubule
Explanation: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor. It blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, reducing vasoconstriction and aldosterone secretion, which lowers blood pressure. A characteristic side effect is a dry cough due to bradykinin accumulation.
2Warfarin exerts its anticoagulant effect by which mechanism?
A.Directly inhibiting thrombin (factor IIa)
B.Activating antithrombin III to inactivate factor Xa
C.Inhibiting vitamin K epoxide reductase, reducing synthesis of factors II, VII, IX and X
D.Irreversibly inhibiting platelet cyclooxygenase-1
Explanation: Warfarin inhibits vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKORC1), blocking regeneration of reduced vitamin K and thereby reducing hepatic synthesis of the vitamin K-dependent clotting factors II, VII, IX and X (and proteins C and S). Its effect is monitored using the INR.
3A patient taking simvastatin should be counselled to avoid large quantities of grapefruit juice primarily because grapefruit:
A.Inhibits intestinal CYP3A4, increasing statin plasma levels and myopathy risk
B.Induces CYP3A4, reducing the cholesterol-lowering effect
C.Chelates the statin in the gut, preventing absorption
D.Increases renal clearance of the statin, reducing efficacy
Explanation: Grapefruit juice inhibits intestinal CYP3A4, the enzyme that metabolises simvastatin. This raises statin plasma concentrations and increases the risk of dose-dependent adverse effects such as myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Simvastatin and atorvastatin are most affected; pravastatin and rosuvastatin are not CYP3A4 substrates.
4Which adverse effect is most characteristically associated with long-term, high-dose use of loop diuretics such as furosemide?
A.Hyperkalaemia
B.Hyperglycaemia with weight gain
C.Gingival hyperplasia
D.Hypokalaemia and ototoxicity
Explanation: Loop diuretics inhibit the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter in the thick ascending limb, causing loss of potassium (hypokalaemia) along with sodium and water. At high doses or rapid IV infusion they can also cause ototoxicity. Magnesium and calcium are also lost.
5Ondansetron, used for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, acts as an antagonist at which receptor?
A.Dopamine D2 receptor
B.Histamine H1 receptor
C.Serotonin 5-HT3 receptor
D.Muscarinic M1 receptor
Explanation: Ondansetron is a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist. It blocks serotonin at receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone and on vagal afferents in the gut, making it highly effective for chemotherapy- and post-operative nausea. A notable adverse effect is QT-interval prolongation.
6A patient on a non-selective beta-blocker (propranolol) also has asthma. The main concern is that propranolol may:
A.Cause bronchoconstriction by blocking beta-2 receptors in the airways
B.Cause bronchodilation and mask exercise tolerance
C.Increase heart rate dangerously
D.Trigger hyperglycaemia and worsen control
Explanation: Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker that antagonises both beta-1 and beta-2 receptors. Blockade of beta-2 receptors in bronchial smooth muscle can precipitate bronchoconstriction, which is dangerous in asthma. Cardioselective beta-blockers are preferred if a beta-blocker is essential.
7Which of the following is a recognised mechanism of bactericidal action for the aminoglycoside gentamicin?
A.Inhibition of bacterial cell wall (peptidoglycan) synthesis
B.Inhibition of bacterial DNA gyrase
C.Irreversible binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit, causing misreading of mRNA
D.Inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase
Explanation: Aminoglycosides such as gentamicin bind irreversibly to the 30S ribosomal subunit, causing misreading of the mRNA codon and producing non-functional proteins, which is bactericidal. They are concentration-dependent killers and carry risks of nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity requiring therapeutic drug monitoring.
8A pharmacist notes a prescription for omeprazole. Proton pump inhibitors reduce gastric acid by:
A.Irreversibly inhibiting the H+/K+-ATPase proton pump in gastric parietal cells
B.Blocking histamine H2 receptors on parietal cells
C.Neutralising acid already in the stomach lumen
D.Blocking gastrin receptors on enterochromaffin-like cells
Explanation: Omeprazole and other PPIs irreversibly inhibit the H+/K+-ATPase (proton pump) on the apical membrane of gastric parietal cells, the final common step of acid secretion. They are taken before meals because they only inhibit actively secreting pumps. Long-term use is linked to hypomagnesaemia and increased fracture risk.
9Which statin is generally preferred when a patient is taking a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor because it is not significantly metabolised by CYP3A4?
A.Simvastatin
B.Atorvastatin
C.Rosuvastatin
D.Lovastatin
Explanation: Rosuvastatin is minimally metabolised by CYP3A4 (only about 10%), so it has fewer interactions with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors and is often preferred in such patients. Simvastatin, atorvastatin and lovastatin are CYP3A4 substrates and carry higher myopathy risk when combined with inhibitors.
10Salbutamol relieves acute bronchospasm in asthma by acting as a(n):
A.Selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist causing bronchial smooth muscle relaxation
B.Muscarinic antagonist reducing vagal tone
C.Leukotriene receptor antagonist
D.Inhaled corticosteroid reducing airway inflammation
Explanation: Salbutamol (albuterol) is a short-acting selective beta-2 agonist. Stimulation of beta-2 receptors increases intracellular cyclic AMP in bronchial smooth muscle, causing rapid bronchodilation, making it the first-line reliever in acute asthma. Side effects include tremor, tachycardia and hypokalaemia.

About the DOH Pharmacist Exam Exam

The DOH Abu Dhabi Pharmacist Qualification Exam (formerly the HAAD exam) is the mandatory licensing assessment for pharmacists who wish to practise in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is a Pearson VUE computer-based test of about 100 single-best-answer MCQs taken after DataFlow primary source verification and DOH/TAMM eligibility approval.

Exam sponsor: Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH, formerly HAAD). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Computer-based test of 100 single-best-answer multiple-choice questions covering pharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, clinical pharmacy, dispensing and UAE pharmacy law.

Time Limit

Approximately 2.5 hours (150 minutes); some sources cite 2 hours for the pharmacist paper.

Passing Score

Pass/Fail result only. DOH does not publish a numeric pass mark; candidate reports commonly cite a threshold around 60-65%, sometimes adjusted by country of origin/education.

Exam / Certification Fees

Pearson VUE exam fee approximately AED 330 (USD ~73). Full licensing pathway costs (PSV/DataFlow, registration, processing, licence issuance) are commonly cited around AED 2,300-2,400 and are set by DOH/TAMM.

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

18%

Pharmacology

Mechanisms of action, drug classes, adverse drug reactions, interactions and CYP450 metabolism.

28%

Pharmacotherapeutics

Evidence-based management of hypertension, diabetes, asthma, COPD, infections, and cardiovascular and psychiatric conditions.

18%

Clinical Pharmacy and Patient Care

Medication review, counselling, monitoring, allergy/interaction screening and pharmacovigilance.

8%

Pharmaceutics and Dosage Forms

Dosage forms, formulation, drug delivery, routes of administration and stability.

11%

Pharmacokinetics and Calculations

Bioavailability, half-life, clearance, steady state, dosing and pharmaceutical calculations.

8%

Dispensing, Community and Hospital Pharmacy

Prescription validation, labelling, unit-dose dispensing and inventory management.

9%

UAE Pharmacy Law and Ethics

Federal Law No. 8 of 2019, controlled-drug rules, medicine classification, scope of practice and professional ethics.

Preparing for the DOH Pharmacist Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Pass/Fail result only. DOH does not publish a numeric pass mark; candidate reports commonly cite a threshold around 60-65%, sometimes adjusted by country of origin/education.
  • Assessment: Computer-based test of 100 single-best-answer multiple-choice questions covering pharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, clinical pharmacy, dispensing and UAE pharmacy law.
  • Time limit: Approximately 2.5 hours (150 minutes); some sources cite 2 hours for the pharmacist paper.
  • Exam / certification fees: Pearson VUE exam fee approximately AED 330 (USD ~73). Full licensing pathway costs (PSV/DataFlow, registration, processing, licence issuance) are commonly cited around AED 2,300-2,400 and are set by DOH/TAMM. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

DOH Pharmacist Exam: Suggested Study Strategy

1Use the unified UAE PQR and the DOH Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician Scope of Practice as your blueprint, and dedicate specific time to UAE-specific law (Federal Law No. 8 of 2019, controlled-drug rules and medicine classification) that is not in standard pharmacy textbooks.
2Drill pharmaceutical calculations (percentage strengths, infusion rates, paediatric weight-based dosing) and high-yield pharmacotherapeutics until they are automatic, since the single-best-answer format rewards accurate, quick clinical reasoning.
3Practise full-length, timed MCQ sets and review every wrong answer with its explanation to consolidate drug interactions, adverse effects and counselling points before booking your Pearson VUE slot.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the DOH Abu Dhabi pharmacist exam and how long is it?

The pharmacist exam is a Pearson VUE computer-based test of about 100 single-best-answer multiple-choice questions, generally completed in around 2.5 hours (150 minutes). The exact count and time can vary by profession and over time, so confirm the current specification in your TAMM eligibility.

What is the passing score for the DOH pharmacist exam?

The DOH gives a Pass/Fail result and does not publish a numeric pass percentage. Candidate experience commonly cites a threshold around 60-65%, and the required standard may be adjusted based on country of origin or education. Treat any specific figure as provisional until confirmed by DOH/TAMM.

Who administers the DOH pharmacist exam and how do I register?

The exam is administered through Pearson VUE on behalf of the Department of Health Abu Dhabi. Candidates first complete DataFlow primary source verification, register via TAMM, and after eligibility approval schedule the exam at a Pearson VUE test centre.

How many attempts do I get and is the DOH licence valid across the UAE?

Candidates generally get a maximum of 3 attempts with a 3-month waiting period between attempts. A DOH licence is valid in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi; practising in Dubai (DHA) or other emirates (MOHAP) requires the respective authority's process.