University of Alberta faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences MMI Practice Questions

How would you contribute to the collaborative learning environment at the University of Alberta's pharmacy program?

Should Alberta pharmacists be required to participate in the province's healthcare restructuring by taking on roles traditionally filled by other healthcare professionals as services are redistributed among the new Provincial Health Agencies?

Tell me about yourself.

Why pharmacy?

Why University of Alberta faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences?

If you were a kitchen appliance, which one would you be and why?

A team project wins an award. You and a peer did equal work, but only you were mentioned in the press release. Your supervisor congratulates you publicly. Correcting the record may jeopardize your relationship with them. What do you do?

You discover a popular local business (a major employer and your organization's biggest donor) is illegally dumping chemicals likely causing elevated cancer rates. You have preliminary but not conclusive data. Going public might cause panic and lawsuits that destroy your organization's funding (affecting 500 families). Waiting for conclusive evidence (2-3 years) means more exposure. What do you do?

Drug shortages in Canada have become increasingly common, affecting everything from basic antibiotics to cancer drugs. Some have proposed regulating pharmaceutical supply chains more strictly and creating strategic reserves. Should Canada implement regulations requiring pharmaceutical companies to maintain minimum supply levels and report shortages earlier? Discuss with the interviewer.

Dr. Sharma often prescribes vitamin supplements to patients complaining of low energy. She knows there is no clear evidence of deficiency, but believes "it can't hurt and might make them feel cared for." Consider the ethical issues raised by Dr. Sharma's actions. What professional obligations might conflict here?

You are a pharmacy intern. A patient's young child sees you preparing their parent's HIV medication and asks loudly 'What's that for?' in a crowded pharmacy. How do you respond?

What is the difference between sympathy and empathy?

Generic drug prices in Canada are often higher than in other countries, partly due to limited competition and pharmacy markups. Some have proposed regulating generic drug prices more strictly. Should Canada impose price controls on generic medications? Consider the implications for access and pharmaceutical industry. Discuss with the interviewer.

You are a newly licensed pharmacist. A pharmaceutical rep offers an all-expenses-paid 'conference' in Hawaii if you preferentially recommend their brand-name drug over equivalent generics. What do you do?

How does the Faculty's commitment to advancing Indigenous health and pharmacy practice align with your values?

You are a pharmacy manager. A patient has been filling opioid prescriptions from three different doctors, suggesting doctor shopping. When you raise concerns, they become hostile. What do you do?

A friend owes you $200 from three months ago and keeps avoiding the topic. Now they're posting on social media about an expensive concert they just attended. How do you address this?

Alberta's healthcare worker shortage has led to increased reliance on private agency staff costing up to $95 million annually. Given that pharmacy staffing follows similar patterns, analyze whether pharmacists have an ethical obligation to work additional hours or take on expanded roles to reduce dependence on expensive agency workers.

You overhear colleagues spreading a harmful rumor about a co-worker’s personal life. You consider reporting it, but one of the people gossiping is close to your manager. The targeted colleague is unaware but already seems isolated. How do you handle this, knowing it could affect your standing in the team?

Tell me about a time you had to advocate for someone who wasn’t being heard.

How will you handle burnout and being overwhelmed?

You're leading a student health initiative when you discover that a fellow student leader has been embezzling small amounts of money from the organization's budget over several months (totaling about $2,000). When you confront them, they admit it but explain that their family was evicted and they needed money for food and supplies for their younger siblings. They're the first in their family to attend university and are working two jobs while maintaining a 3.9 GPA. They're devastated and ashamed, offer to pay it back over time, and beg you not to report it because it would mean expulsion and loss of their scholarship. Your organization's constitution requires reporting any financial irregularities to the dean. What do you do?

The Alberta College of Pharmacy has implemented outcome-based standards that require pharmacists to demonstrate results rather than follow specific processes, creating greater professional autonomy but also increased accountability. Discuss how this approach affects the pharmacist-patient relationship and professional liability in Alberta's litigious healthcare environment.

What was the most difficult decision you have ever had to make?

Should Canada implement a national pharmacare program providing universal prescription drug coverage?

You are a pharmacy manager. Your pharmacy is the only one in a rural community. A patient needs a medication urgently but it's out of stock nationally due to a drug shortage. The nearest pharmacy with stock is 200 kilometers away. What would you do?

You're working at an organization when you discover that your mentor—someone who has been instrumental in your development, advocated for you repeatedly, and is genuinely kind—has been quietly discriminating against certain job applicants based on protected characteristics. They're subtle about it (finding 'legitimate' reasons to reject candidates), but the pattern is clear. When you carefully raise concerns, they become defensive and hurt, saying you've misunderstood and that they've 'always supported diversity.' You have documented evidence, but reporting it would likely end their career and damage your own reputation by association. They're also dealing with a family crisis and are in a fragile state. However, their behavior is harming people and perpetuating inequality. What's your responsibility here?

Canada prohibits bulk importation of prescription drugs from other countries, even when identical medications are significantly cheaper elsewhere. Some have proposed allowing importation from countries with similar safety standards. Should Canada allow importation of prescription drugs from other countries to reduce costs? Discuss the implications of this policy with the interviewer.

What would you do if your employer forced you to work over Thanksgiving weekend, interfering with your family plans?

What is one of your strengths in a leadership role?

What would you do if a coworker is taking credit for your work on a group project.

Some Canadian provinces allow pharmacists to refuse to dispense medications based on moral or religious objections, such as emergency contraception. When pharmacists refuse, they may be required to refer patients elsewhere, but referrals may not always be feasible. Is it ethically acceptable for pharmacists to refuse to dispense legal medications based on personal beliefs? What ethical framework should guide this decision? Discuss with the interviewer.

Describe a situation where you had to navigate cultural differences in a team or work environment.

You are a pharmacist. A patient can't afford their $180 monthly medication because their provincial drug plan doesn't cover it. They mention skipping doses to make it last longer. What do you do?

Indigenous communities often have distrust of mainstream healthcare. How should the healthcare system address historical harms and build trust?

Tell me about a skill or knowledge area where you've shown significant improvement over time. What was your learning process?

While volunteering at a community center, a family refuses to vaccinate their children due to religious beliefs. The father quietly tells you he disagrees but fears community backlash if he consents. What do you do?

Should healthcare workers strike if working conditions are unsafe for them or their patients?

What would you do if a patient's family requests you not tell the patient about their diagnosis?

A coworker asks you to clock them in when they'll be 30 minutes late, saying their supervisor is 'unreasonably strict' and they might get fired for being late again. What do you do?

A patient you've been working with for months asks you out on a date. How do you handle this?

How do you relate to our mission?

Do you think it's ever ethical to lie to a patient?

What is an ethical dilemma you have faced?

You are a pharmacist working the evening shift alone. A patient becomes verbally aggressive because their prescription isn't ready. Other customers are watching and you feel unsafe. What do you do?

Do you believe diversity is important in a healthcare setting? Why or why not?

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

You are a community pharmacist. A refugee patient has a prescription but their interim federal health coverage is unclear about whether the medication is covered. They can't afford to pay out-of-pocket if it's not covered, but they need it today. What do you do?

Tell me about a time when you recognized a personal limitation or weakness that was affecting your performance. What did you do about it?

A colleague you respect makes a dismissive comment toward a patient from a marginalized background. You know confronting them could damage your working relationship. What do you do?

You're at a party and a friend insists on driving herself home, even though she has been drinking. What do you do?

Should childhood vaccinations be mandatory for school attendance, or should parents have the right to refuse?

What would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow?

What would you do if a colleague comes to work smelling of alcohol?

Should there be stricter oversight of pharmaceutical company marketing practices and their interactions with pharmacists?

What draws you to the University of Alberta's approach of integrating basic sciences with clinical pharmacy practice?

How does living and studying in Edmonton fit with your personal and professional aspirations?

Should people with unhealthy lifestyles (e.g., smokers, heavy drinkers) have reduced access to certain treatments?

What attracted you specifically to the University of Alberta's Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences over other pharmacy programs in Canada?

Why do you want to go to school in Edmonton?

What role should technology and AI play in the future of healthcare?

Is it ethical for pharmaceutical companies to charge high prices for life-saving medications?

You’re working in a research lab when you discover that your supervisor has failed to report a conflict of interest—he’s consulting for the company funding the study. You depend on him for a strong reference for grad school. What do you do?

What are three words people who know you would use to describe you?

You’re walking out of a coffee shop when you notice someone drop their wallet. You pick it up and realize there’s a large amount of cash inside, but no ID. You also notice the person quickly leaving in a taxi before you can call out. What do you do?

Alberta pharmacists have had independent prescribing authority for Schedule 1 drugs since 2007, making them unique in Canada, yet recent data shows inconsistent use of this expanded scope across the province. Consider the ethical responsibilities pharmacists have to fully utilize their scope of practice when patients may benefit from increased access to care.

Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a teammate, supervisor, or friend.

How would you explain the internet to someone from the 1800s?

Alberta's new pharmaceutical standards emphasize person-centered care over transactional dispensing, requiring pharmacists to develop ongoing relationships with patients rather than simply filling prescriptions. Consider how this philosophical shift affects professional practice in a province where healthcare access varies dramatically between urban centers and rural communities.

If you could add one law to the laws of physics, what would it be?

You are a clinical pharmacist in a hospital. A patient needs a medication that's approved and available in the US but not yet approved in Canada. Their family has offered to bring it across the border. The physician asks for your input on the legal and safety implications. What would you consider? What would you say?

Should there be stronger federal and provincial regulations on pharmacy benefit managers and insurance practices?

Pharmacists have access to patients' complete medication profiles and sometimes discover that patients are receiving duplicate or potentially dangerous combinations of medications from multiple prescribers. When patients appear to be 'doctor shopping' for controlled substances, do pharmacists have an ethical obligation to refuse to fill prescriptions? What ethical principles are at stake? Discuss with the interviewer.

Teach me something.

Many provinces have expanded pharmacists' scope of practice to include prescribing for minor ailments, administering vaccines, and conducting health assessments. Some physicians argue this creates patient safety risks. Should pharmacists' scope of practice be expanded further to include managing chronic diseases and prescribing for a broader range of conditions? Discuss this policy with the interviewer.

You discover a classmate is using AI to generate their reflective essays about patient interactions—essays meant to develop empathy and self-awareness. The AI-generated reflections are actually better written and more insightful than most students' authentic ones. They're getting top marks and genuinely learning from reading what the AI produces. What do you do?

Describe a situation where you had to maintain professionalism under difficult or frustrating circumstances.

Should students from disadvantaged backgrounds receive preferential admission to health professions programs?

You are a pharmacy student on rotation. You discover a pharmacy technician has been taking expired medication samples to sell online. They're a struggling single parent. What do you do?

Tell me about a time you exhibited leadership.

Do pharmacists have an ethical obligation to help patients access medications when they cannot afford treatment?

A 16-year-old you recognize as your neighbor's daughter requests emergency contraception at your clinic. She's terrified and begs you not to tell her strict religious parents. She mentions her boyfriend is 19 (potential statutory rape). When you discuss reporting requirements, she threatens self-harm if anyone finds out. What are your competing obligations? What do you do first? What if she insists the relationship is consensual?

What interests you about the Faculty's focus on pharmaceutical care and patient-centered practice?

Drug shortages are common in Canada, forcing pharmacists to substitute medications or deny refills. When patients depend on specific medications that are unavailable, pharmacists must balance their professional obligations with practical limitations. What are pharmacists' ethical obligations when they cannot provide medications due to supply issues beyond their control? Discuss your position with the interviewer.

You accidentally see a text on your roommate's phone suggesting they're cheating on their long-term partner, who is also your friend. What, if anything, do you do?

What was your most challenging experience?

You're on a scholarship committee choosing between two equally qualified finalists: Candidate A overcame homelessness and foster care (first in family to attend university), Candidate B has a disability and spent years advocating for accessibility (worked three times harder than peers for same grades). You can only choose one. Another committee member reveals Candidate A's essay was heavily edited by a mentor, while B's is entirely their own work. Who do you choose?

You accidentally receive an email from your supervisor that contains private performance evaluations, including criticism of a close friend. Later that day, your friend mentions feeling anxious about whether management trusts them. What do you do?

How might the transition to pharmacy school affect you.

What are your thoughts on the role of private vs. public healthcare?

You're managing a small rural health center during a severe flu outbreak. You have 10 doses of antiviral medication left, but 25 high-risk patients need it. Among those waiting: elderly nursing home residents, pregnant women, healthcare workers who are essential to keep the clinic running, children with asthma, and adults caring for disabled family members. How do you decide who receives the medication?

You discover a colleague has been embellishing their credentials—claiming degrees from prestigious schools when they actually graduated from less-known programs. They're exceptionally good at their job, patients love them, and outcomes are excellent. But they lied on their application. Do you report it? What if they came from poverty and believed (possibly correctly) they'd never get hired without prestigious credentials?

As AI becomes better at diagnosis than human doctors, should we rely more on AI decision-making?

What are pharmacists' ethical obligations when they believe certain prescriptions may be unnecessary but are legally prescribed?

Should Alberta pharmacists advocate for expanded prescribing authority to include conditions currently requiring physician referral given the province's primary care physician shortage affecting 600,000 to 700,000 Albertans?

What are your weaknesses?

If you could have dinner with anyone, who and why?

How many rubber ducks would it take to fill this room?

What are pharmacists' ethical obligations when patients request antibiotics or other medications for conditions that should be treated differently?

Healthcare students learn procedures on real patients. Is this ethical, given that students are less skilled?

What would you do if a colleague of yours made a mistake and doesn't want to tell the patient?

Who is your role model?

How should Alberta address the potential conflicts of interest when pharmacists work within chartered surgical facilities that operate on profit-driven models while maintaining their professional duty to prioritize patient welfare?

What is your biggest fear?

Walk me through a period when you were overwhelmed with responsibilities. How did you use to get through it?

What are University of Alberta faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences's values?

Should there be regulations limiting corporate or non-pharmacist ownership of pharmacies?

If you could instantly master one skill, what would it be?

Is it ethically acceptable for pharmacists to compound or dispense medications that carry medical risks but may not be medically necessary?

How should Alberta pharmacists balance their expanded prescribing authority with the responsibility to monitor physician prescribing conditions imposed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons through the Tracked Prescription Program?

What is your biggest regret?

What is your learning style?

In times of resource scarcity—such as limited ICU beds or transplant organs—some argue younger patients should be prioritized because they have more potential years of life. Others claim all lives should be valued equally, regardless of age. Discuss the ethical implications of using age as a factor in allocating scarce medical resources.

Describe a time you had to respect someone's autonomy even when you disagreed with their choice

What would be the worst superpower to have?

Tell me about your lowest grade.

Describe a time when you identified an unfair policy or practice and took action to address it.

A classmate you barely know asks to copy your homework, explaining they've been dealing with a family emergency and haven't had time to complete it. What do you do?

What is your favorite movie?

If your life were a movie, what would the theme?

You see a friend post misleading health information on social media that’s getting lots of attention. How do you handle it?

A viral blog post asserts that "organic diets cure cancer," citing several testimonials from individuals who claim remission after eliminating processed foods. The post criticizes oncologists for "profiting from chemotherapy" and argues that "pharmaceutical science ignores nature's cures." The author includes references to "a study" without citation, and dismisses contradictory data as "corporate propaganda." Evaluate the strength of the arguments presented. What logical or ethical issues arise in promoting such claims to vulnerable populations?

Canada currently lacks universal pharmacare, unlike most other countries with universal healthcare. Prescription drug costs are a significant barrier to adherence and health outcomes. Some have proposed implementing a national pharmacare program that would cover all Canadians. Should Canada implement universal pharmacare? Consider the implications for access, costs, and health outcomes. Discuss with the interviewer.

You are a pharmacist. A prescription seems unusually high-dose. The prescriber's office is dismissive when you call to verify. The patient is in pain and waiting. What do you do?

What would you do if someone in a group project falsified data?

Many rare diseases affect too few people for pharmaceutical companies to profitably develop treatments. Should governments mandate research into rare diseases, redirect funding from common diseases, or accept that resources must be allocated where they help the most people?

You are the lead pharmacist at a retail pharmacy. Your pharmacy receives a vaccine shipment that was temperature-compromised during transit. The vaccines likely exceeded safe storage temperatures, which could reduce their effectiveness or make them unsafe. Corporate tells you that the financial loss would be significant—tens of thousands of dollars—and instructs you to dispense them anyway, saying 'they're probably fine' and that 'the temperature only spiked briefly.' They imply that reporting this could reflect poorly on the pharmacy and affect your performance review. You're aware that compromised vaccines may not provide adequate immunity to patients, particularly vulnerable populations like infants and elderly individuals. What would you do? What would you consider?

How many golf balls fit in an airplane?

Tell me about a time when you had to explain a complex scientific concept to someone without a science background. How did you approach it?

How would you take advantage of the research opportunities available at one of Canada's top research-intensive pharmacy schools?

Convince me that a potato is the most important invention in human history.

What would you do if a patient refused treatment?

If you could choose one superpower what would it be?

Do you think pharmaceutical companies should be allowed to advertise drugs to consumers?

Should lifestyle choices (smoking, obesity, non-compliance) affect priority for organ transplants?

Is healthcare a right or a privilege?

Should gene editing technologies like CRISPR be used to enhance human traits (not just treat disease) in future generations?

In Canada, prescription drug coverage varies by province and many patients face high out-of-pocket costs for essential medications. When patients cannot afford their prescriptions, pharmacists must decide whether to extend credit, provide partial supplies, or refer to assistance programs. Do pharmacists have an ethical obligation to help patients access medications they cannot afford? What are the limits of this obligation? Discuss with the interviewer.

You’re volunteering at a community mental-health clinic. During a family dinner, your brother proudly mentions that he just hired a new employee named Rachel. You realize it’s a patient from your clinic who has a history of manic episodes that recently caused workplace disruptions. What do you do?

Tell me about a time when you were impacted by miscommunication.

You are a pharmacist working at a pharmacy in a conservative community. A teenage girl requests emergency contraception privately and mentions she can't let her parents find out. She's visibly anxious and you can tell she's been working up the courage to ask. Your pharmacy stocks emergency contraception and it's legal to dispense without a prescription to patients of any age, but the pharmacy owner has previously expressed strong personal and religious objections to providing it. They've told staff they believe it goes against their conscience. The girl is looking at you desperately, and the owner is in the back office. You know that if you refer her elsewhere, the nearest pharmacy that would definitely provide it is 45 minutes away, and she's on foot. What would you do? What would you consider?

How do you study?

What role should traditional or indigenous healing practices play in modern healthcare systems?

Who should receive an organ transplant: a convicted felon or an uninsured mother?

Should healthcare professionals be required to receive certain vaccinations?

Should patients have the right to request a healthcare provider of a specific gender, race, or cultural background?

What ethical considerations should guide Alberta pharmacists when patients seek pharmaceutical services across provincial health agency boundaries in the new four-pillar system?

What do you think are important qualities for a pharmacist?

A hospital press release promotes its new "AI-assisted triage system," which ranks patients by predicted survival rate to maximize efficiency. The administration reports shorter wait times and fewer administrative errors. However, some staff have noticed that patients from minority backgrounds are systematically ranked lower, potentially due to bias in the training data. Hospital leadership insists that "the algorithm is objective" and that "efficiency is our ethical duty." Critically analyze this justification. What ethical concerns and reasoning flaws might you identify?

Tell me about a time you failed.

What makes you special?

Tell me about a time you changed your mind after learning new information.

What controversial healthcare topic are you passionate about?

Your roommate confides in you that they have been struggling with depression and occasionally use prescription medication that was not prescribed to them. They ask you not to tell anyone. How do you respond?

How does the University of Alberta's emphasis on research-integrated learning align with your academic goals?

Alberta's new Standards of Practice for Pharmacists restrict pharmacists from prescribing to family members and those with close personal relationships for minor conditions, a practice previously considered acceptable. Given that rural pharmacists may be the most accessible healthcare providers in their communities, analyze the ethical implications of this restriction on healthcare access versus professional boundaries.

What would you do if a teenager confides they're being abused at home but begs you not to tell anyone?

What do you do if a colleague has a substance abuse problem?

If you were a fruit, which one would you be and why?

What would you do if a group member isn't doing their part?

During a public health crisis, when is it appropriate to mandate masks, lockdowns, or quarantines? Where should individual freedom end?

What are your strengths?

What is the biggest problem in healthcare today?

What will you do if you do not get into pharmacy school?

Should healthcare institutions implement mandatory unconscious bias training for all staff and students?

You can eliminate one color from existence. Which one and why?

A close friend in your study group admits they copied answers from another student on a recent exam but asks you not to tell anyone. How do you respond?

Can compassion be taught?

Should gender-affirming care be available to minors? What factors should be considered?

What would you do if you caught a classmate cheating?

If you had to be a piece of furniture in a hospital, what would you be?

What do you think about stem cell research?

You’re catching a ride home from a friend who begins texting while driving. When you ask them to stop, they brush you off and say, “Relax, I do this all the time.” How do you respond?

A grateful patient leaves a $100 gift card and a thank-you note at the front desk addressed specifically to you. What do you do?

Describe a moment when you connected with someone who was going through a difficult time.

What would you do if a team member isn’t contributing on a group project?

If animals could talk, which species would be the rudest?

How would you fix the healthcare system?

Pharmacists sometimes identify drug therapy problems, such as inappropriate medications or dosing errors, prescribed by physicians. Correcting these errors may damage the pharmacist-physician relationship. Do pharmacists have an ethical obligation to challenge physician prescribing decisions when they believe patients are at risk? Discuss the ethical considerations with the interviewer.

What do you do for fun?

Describe a situation where you made a mistake that affected others. What did you do?

An economics think tank proposes legalizing the sale of kidneys to reduce transplant waiting lists. They argue that a regulated market would prevent black-market exploitation, compensate donors fairly, and save lives. Critics claim it would commodify the human body and exploit the poor. The report dismisses these objections as "emotional resistance to economic reality." Discuss the logical and ethical merits and weaknesses of this proposal.

A government report suggests reducing hospital electricity usage by lowering air conditioning levels, switching to biodegradable single-use instruments, and restricting high-energy medical imaging for non-urgent cases. Officials claim this is necessary to meet carbon neutrality goals. Critics warn that such policies could endanger patient safety and comfort. Critically examine this policy's reasoning. How should public health balance environmental responsibility and patient care?

What community service activities have you done?

You are a clinical pharmacist on a hospital ward. A patient's insurance denies their $800 medication. You know a $20 generic alternative exists, but the prescription says 'Dispense as Written.' What do you do?

What aspects of the Faculty's mission to advance health through pharmaceutical sciences innovation resonate most with you?

You are a community pharmacist. A patient picking up antibiotics for their child mentions they plan to 'save some for next time' to avoid another doctor visit. What do you do?

Is it ethically problematic for pharmacists to own or have financial interests in pharmaceutical wholesalers or drug distribution companies?

You are a pharmacy student. An Indigenous patient mentions they've had bad experiences with healthcare providers who were dismissive. They're hesitant to take their prescribed medication and ask if there are traditional medicines that could work instead. What do you do?

Tell me about a time you experienced a team conflict and how you resolved it.

How do you handle stress?

What do you know about the integrated PharmD curriculum structure at the University of Alberta?

If you were a soup, what kind would you be?

Should pharmacy technician programs be expanded and their scope of practice increased to improve access in underserved areas?

Describe a time working with someone you did not like.