Rhode Island Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence (MPJE) Practice Exam

What is the term for substances that can impair health if included in a drug?

1. Adulterants

2. Excipients

3. Deleterious substances

4. Contaminants

The correct answer is: Deleterious substances

The term that best describes substances that can impair health if included in a drug is "deleterious substances." This term encompasses any ingredient or compound that, when present in a drug formulation, could potentially harm a patient's health, whether it be through toxicity, allergic reactions, or other adverse effects. Adulterants typically refer to substances that have been added to a drug to enhance or alter its effects, often in a way that is illegal or unethical, but they may not explicitly impair health as a primary characteristic. Excipients are chosen to assist in the formulation of drugs and serve purposes such as stabilization or enhancing bioavailability; they are generally considered safe for use in medications. Contaminants would refer to impurities or unintended substances that find their way into the drug product, but again, this does not fully encapsulate the nature of substances specifically designed to cause harm. This distinction is crucial in the context of pharmacy law and regulation, where the purity and safety of drug products are closely monitored to protect public health.