Common Registration Assessment, Part 1

Sodium cromoglicate eye drop counts and bottle supply for the GPhC assessment

Three original practice questions, with the working shown. Read the stated prescription or plan before calculating.

Published 9 November 2026. Independent revision material, not GPhC questions, not for patient care.

A man applying eye drops at home
Photo from Pexels, used under the Pexels licence. It is a stock image and does not show the exercise.

The manufacturer's UK product information for Allercrom 2% w/v eye drops states that adults and children over 6 years should use one or two drops in each eye four times daily.

The same information states that Allercrom eye drops should not be used continuously for more than 14 days except on the advice of a doctor or pharmacist, and that the drops are supplied in bottles containing 5 ml and 10 ml.

A 2% w/v strength means 2 g in 100 ml, which is 20 mg per ml. Drop-volume questions on this page use the working assumption of 20 drops per ml, stated with the question, because the label does not print a drop volume.

Each question fixes the values needed for its arithmetic. Write the unit beside every step and distinguish drops per administration from drops per day. All prescriptions and patients here are fictional; these are revision materials, not for patient care.

The method

  1. Multiply the stated drops per eye by two eyes, then by four times daily, for the daily drop count.
  2. Multiply the daily drop count by the stated days for a course total.
  3. Using the stated 20 drops per ml assumption, divide the bottle volume's total drops by the daily drop count for the days of supply.
  4. Keep drops, ml, mg and days separate; convert only when the question asks.

Three practice questions

Work each one on paper first, then open the answer. All patients and prescriptions are fictional.

Question 1

A fictional patient uses two drops of sodium cromoglicate 2% eye drops in each eye four times daily. How many drops are used each day?

Show the answer

Answer: 16 drops

Working: 2 drops x 2 eyes = 4 drops per administration. 4 drops x 4 times daily = 16 drops daily.

Question 2

A fictional patient uses two drops in each eye four times daily for the label maximum continuous period of 14 days. How many drops are used in total?

Show the answer

Answer: 224 drops

Working: 16 drops daily x 14 days = 224 drops.

Question 3

A fictional patient uses two drops in each eye four times daily (16 drops daily). Using the working assumption of 20 drops per ml, how many days does a 10 ml bottle last?

Show the answer

Answer: 12.5 days

Working: 10 ml x 20 drops per ml = 200 drops per bottle. 200 / 16 drops daily = 12.5 days, inside the label's 14-day continuous-use limit.

eMC SmPC: Allercrom 2% w/v Eye Drops

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/4136/smpc

Where marks are lost

  • Counting drops for one eye only; the regimen is per eye, so double it for both eyes.
  • Treating the 20 drops per ml figure as a label value; it is a working assumption stated in the question.
  • Working out a supply beyond the label's 14-day continuous-use limit without flagging it.

Frequently asked questions

Are these official assessment questions?

No. They are original revision exercises, not official GPhC questions and not for patient care.

Does this calculation decide a real sodium cromoglicate supply?

No. Follow the stated regimen in the exercise. Real use follows the label, and continuous use beyond 14 days needs advice from a doctor or pharmacist.

How should I check the answer?

Multiply the drops per eye by two eyes and by four administrations before converting to bottles.

Sources

The questions above are original and use fictional patients and prescriptions. PreRegExamPrep is not affiliated with or endorsed by the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Practise until the method is automatic

Try 15 free questions with worked answers. No sign-up required.

More calculation topics

See also the formula sheet, the eight sample questions and the approved calculator page.