For every new pharmacy intern, starting your intern year in Australia is an exciting but demanding step. Along with supervised practice, you must pass the Intern Written Exam and Intern Oral Exam to become a fully registered pharmacist. And having the right books and knowing how to use them makes a big difference.
This blog explains the best and most important books for the Intern Pharmacists Exam (Written Exam). We will discuss the official books, plus simple tips to help you clear the exams with confidence.
Must-Have Intern Pharmacists Books
For the Intern Pharmacist Written Exam, the exam is a restricted open-book exam. This means only specific physical books are allowed in the exam hall.
Officially Allowed Exam Books
| Book Name | Why It Is Important |
| Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) | The most important drug reference in Australia. It covers drug uses, doses, side effects, interactions, and precautions. |
| Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (APF) | Focuses on pharmacy practice, dispensing, counselling, compounding, and legal aspects of pharmacy work. |
It’s important to note a few points:
- Only one original hard copy of each book is allowed.
- No printed notes, loose papers, sticky notes, or electronic versions are allowed.
- You should become very familiar with where topics are located in these books.
Additional Books For Preparation
These books are not allowed inside the exam, but they are very useful for preparation. They will also help you with the Intern oral exam.
1. Therapeutic Guidelines
- Helps you understand how diseases are treated in Australia.
- Very useful for learning clinical decision-making and treatment steps.
2. Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics (Walker & Whittlesea)
- Useful reference book to build clinical skills.
3. Community Pharmacy Symptoms Diagnosis and Treatment
- Recommended for understanding concepts of patient counselling and triage.
4. Intern Oral Exam Preparation Books
- These books focus on real-life patient cases.
- Very helpful for improving communication and confidence for the oral exam.
5. Intern Training Program (ITP) Study Materials
- Structured learning modules designed for interns.
- Includes practice questions, mock exams, and feedback.
6. Pharmaceutical Calculations (Howard C. Ansel)
- Highly recommended for understanding the concepts of pharmaceutical dose calculations.
How to Use These Books Smartly
1. Learn the Structure of AMH and APF
- Do not try to memorise everything.
- Practice finding information quickly, as time is limited in the exam.
2. Focus on Common Topics
- Drug dosing and interactions
- Legal and ethical rules
- Patient counselling
- Calculations
- Managing common conditions (diabetes, asthma, infections, hypertension)
3. Practice Calculations Regularly
- Calculations are now fill-in-the-blank, not multiple choice.
- Practice daily to improve speed and accuracy.
4. Use Practice Questions
- Do mock exams under timed conditions.
- This helps you manage stress and time on exam day.
5. Prepare for the Oral Exam Early
- Practice speaking clearly and confidently.
- Use case studies and role-play with friends or colleagues.
Intern Written Exam Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Examination Board | Australian Pharmacy Council |
| Exam Type | Restricted open-book |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Questions | Multiple choice and pharmaceutical calculations |
| Allowed Books | AMH and APF (physical copies only) |
| Key Areas | Therapeutics Pharmaceutical calculations Law and Ethics Patient care Pharmacy practice |
Tips and Tricks to Clear the Intern Pharmacist Exam
- Start studying at least 3 to 4 months before the exam.
- Know where information is located in your books
- Practice calculations every day
- Do timed mock tests
- Read questions carefully before answering
- Stay calm before the exam. It is a test of safe, everyday pharmacy practice
Final Words
The intern pharmacist journey in Australia is challenging but achievable. With the right intern pharmacists books, regular practice, and smart study habits, you can clear both the written and oral exams confidently. Focus on understanding, not memorising, and use your reference books wisely.