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Management questions are often the easiest way to boost your score because the definitions are standard and don’t change. Here is the “Cheat Sheet” for the Organization & Management section of the syllabus.
Don’t mix these up!
Essential Drugs List (EDL): This is usually a National document (National Drug Policy). It lists drugs that satisfy the priority healthcare needs of the majority of the population. It focuses on generic names.
Hospital Formulary: This is Institution-Specific. It is the list of medicines approved for use in your specific hospital. It is derived from the EDL but tailored to the specific disease patterns seen in that facility.
Exam Tip: Who creates and maintains the Hospital Formulary? The Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee (PTC).
Key Role: They are the “Gatekeepers.” They decide which drugs get added to (or removed from) the hospital formulary.
Composition: In the exam, if asked who is the Secretary of the PTC, the answer is the Pharmacist (specifically the Head of Pharmacy or Director). The Chairman is usually a Consultant Physician.
This is a high-yield topic for public health facilities.
Definition: A financing system where revenue generated from the sale of drugs is used strictly to replenish the drug stock.
The “Golden Rule”: The capital must remain intact. The profit/markup covers inflation and administrative costs, but the core fund “revolves” to prevent “Out of Stock” syndrome.
Exam Trap: If a question asks if DRF money can be used to build a new ward or pay salaries, the answer is NO. It is strictly for drug procurement.
FEFO vs. FIFO:
FIFO (First-In, First-Out): Oldest stock (by arrival date) is sold first.
FEFO (First-Expired, First-Out): Stock with the closest expiry date is sold first.
The Rule: In Pharmacy, FEFO is always the gold standard to prevent expired drugs.
Master these four definitions, and you have covered 80% of the Management questions!
