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Pharmacy Board Exam Study Notes
Complete Reviewer for the Pharmacist Licensure Examination (PLE)
In This Guide
About the Pharmacy Board Exam
The Pharmacist Licensure Examination (PLE) is administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to assess competency for pharmacy practice in the Philippines. The exam covers pharmaceutical sciences and clinical pharmacy knowledge.
Exam Subjects
- • Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- • Pharmacognosy
- • Pharmacology & Toxicology
- • Pharmaceutics
- • Pharmacy Practice
Requirements
- • BS Pharmacy degree
- • Completion of internship
- • Passing score: 75%
- • No subject below 50%
Part 1: Pharmacology
Pharmacokinetics (ADME)
Drug Movement in the Body
Absorption
- • Route of administration affects rate
- • Bioavailability (F): fraction reaching systemic circulation
- • First-pass metabolism reduces oral bioavailability
- • Factors: pH, blood flow, surface area
Distribution
- • Volume of distribution (Vd)
- • Protein binding (albumin, α1-glycoprotein)
- • Blood-brain barrier passage
- • Tissue accumulation
Metabolism
- • Phase I: Oxidation, Reduction, Hydrolysis (CYP450)
- • Phase II: Conjugation (glucuronidation, sulfation)
- • CYP3A4 - most abundant enzyme
- • Prodrugs: inactive until metabolized
Excretion
- • Renal: glomerular filtration, secretion, reabsorption
- • Hepatic: bile, enterohepatic circulation
- • Half-life (t½): time for 50% elimination
- • Clearance (CL) = Dose/AUC
Pharmacodynamics
Drug-Receptor Interactions
- Agonist: Binds receptor, produces response (full vs partial)
- Antagonist: Binds receptor, blocks response (competitive vs non-competitive)
- Potency (EC50): Concentration producing 50% effect
- Efficacy (Emax): Maximum effect achievable
- Therapeutic Index: TD50/ED50 (margin of safety)
Drug Classes
Autonomic Drugs
- Cholinergics: Bethanechol, Pilocarpine
- Anticholinergics: Atropine, Scopolamine
- Adrenergics: Epinephrine, Phenylephrine
- Beta-blockers: Propranolol, Metoprolol
CNS Drugs
- Sedatives: Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates
- Antidepressants: SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs
- Antipsychotics: Haloperidol, Risperidone
- Anticonvulsants: Phenytoin, Valproic acid
Cardiovascular Drugs
- Antihypertensives: ACE inhibitors, ARBs, CCBs
- Antiarrhythmics: Class I-IV (Vaughan-Williams)
- Anticoagulants: Warfarin, Heparin, DOACs
- Diuretics: Loop, Thiazide, K-sparing
Anti-infectives
- Beta-lactams: Penicillins, Cephalosporins
- Macrolides: Azithromycin, Erythromycin
- Fluoroquinolones: Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin
- Aminoglycosides: Gentamicin, Amikacin
Part 2: Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Organic Chemistry Review
Functional Groups in Drugs
- Hydroxyl (-OH): Increased water solubility
- Amino (-NH2): Basic, salt formation
- Carboxyl (-COOH): Acidic, salt formation
- Ester (-COO-): Prodrug linkage
- Amide (-CONH-): Stable, peptide bonds
- Ether (-O-): Anesthetic properties
- Halogen: Increased lipophilicity
- Sulfonamide: Antibacterial activity
Drug Analysis Methods
Analytical Techniques
- UV-Vis Spectroscopy: Beer-Lambert Law; A = εbc; conjugated systems
- IR Spectroscopy: Functional group identification; fingerprint region
- HPLC: Separation, identification, quantification; mobile/stationary phases
- Mass Spectrometry: Molecular weight determination; fragmentation patterns
- Titration: Acid-base, redox, complexometric; endpoint detection
Medicinal Chemistry
Structure-Activity Relationships (SAR)
- Lipinski's Rule of 5: MW ≤500, LogP ≤5, HBD ≤5, HBA ≤10
- Stereochemistry: Enantiomers may have different activities
- Bioisosteres: Groups with similar biological properties
- Pharmacophore: Essential features for receptor binding
Part 3: Pharmaceutics
Dosage Forms
Solid Dosage Forms
- Tablets: Compressed, coated, sustained-release
- Capsules: Hard (powder) vs Soft (liquid)
- Powders: Bulk, divided, effervescent
- Granules: Aggregated powder particles
Liquid Dosage Forms
- Solutions: Homogeneous, clear
- Suspensions: Particles dispersed in liquid
- Emulsions: O/W or W/O; require emulsifiers
- Syrups: High sugar concentration
Semi-solid Dosage Forms
- Ointments: Oleaginous, anhydrous bases
- Creams: O/W or W/O emulsions
- Gels: Hydrogels, organogels
- Pastes: High solid content
Parenteral Products
- IV: Direct bloodstream, 100% bioavailable
- IM: Intramuscular, depot effect
- SC: Subcutaneous, slower absorption
- Must be: Sterile, pyrogen-free, isotonic
Pharmaceutical Calculations
Essential Formulas
Dilution
C₁V₁ = C₂V₂
Q₁ × C₁ = Q₂ × C₂
Percentage
%w/v = g/100mL
%w/w = g/100g
%v/v = mL/100mL
Isotonicity
NaCl equivalent method
Freezing point depression
Alligation
For mixing concentrations
Parts = |Desired - Given|
Part 4: Pharmacognosy
Natural Products
Classification of Natural Drugs
Alkaloids
- • Morphine (Papaver somniferum)
- • Quinine (Cinchona bark)
- • Atropine (Atropa belladonna)
- • Caffeine (Coffee, Tea)
Glycosides
- • Digoxin (Digitalis lanata)
- • Sennosides (Senna)
- • Amygdalin (Bitter almonds)
- • Salicin (Willow bark)
Terpenes
- • Essential oils (volatile)
- • Taxol (Taxus brevifolia)
- • Artemisinin (Artemisia annua)
- • Menthol (Mentha piperita)
Phenolics
- • Tannins (astringent)
- • Flavonoids (antioxidants)
- • Coumarins (anticoagulant)
- • Lignans (phytoestrogens)
Philippine Medicinal Plants
DOH-Approved Herbal Medicines
Lagundi (Vitex negundo)
Cough, asthma, fever
Sambong (Blumea balsamifera)
Diuretic, dissolves kidney stones
Tsaang-gubat (Carmona retusa)
Diarrhea, stomach pain
Yerba Buena (Mentha cordifolia)
Analgesic, headache, body pain
Niyog-niyogan (Quisqualis indica)
Anthelmintic, deworming
Bayabas (Psidium guajava)
Antiseptic, wound wash
Akapulko (Cassia alata)
Antifungal, skin diseases
Ulasimang-bato (Peperomia pellucida)
Lowers uric acid, arthritis
Bawang (Allium sativum)
Lowers cholesterol, hypertension
Ampalaya (Momordica charantia)
Lowers blood sugar, diabetes
Part 5: Pharmacy Practice
Prescription Processing
Parts of a Prescription
- Superscription: Rx symbol, patient information
- Inscription: Drug name, strength, quantity
- Subscription: Dispensing directions to pharmacist
- Signa (Sig): Directions to patient
- Prescriber info: Name, license number, signature
Drug Regulations (RA 9165)
Controlled Substances
- Schedule I: No accepted medical use (e.g., heroin)
- Schedule II: High abuse potential, accepted use (e.g., morphine)
- Schedule III: Moderate abuse potential (e.g., codeine combinations)
- Schedule IV: Low abuse potential (e.g., benzodiazepines)
Pharmacy Laws (Key Points)
- RA 5921: Pharmacy Law; requirements for pharmacy practice
- RA 6675: Generics Act; promotes generic prescribing
- RA 9502: Cheaper Medicines Act
- RA 9711: FDA Act; regulates drugs, food, cosmetics
- RA 10918: Philippine Pharmacy Act of 2016
Patient Counseling
Key Counseling Points
- ✓ Drug name, purpose, and expected benefits
- ✓ Proper dosage, route, and timing
- ✓ Common side effects and what to do
- ✓ Drug-drug and drug-food interactions
- ✓ Storage requirements
- ✓ Importance of adherence
- ✓ When to seek medical attention
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