Top 100 Drugs: CPhT Edition is a pharmacy technician’s visual guide to mastering the most commonly prescribed medications in the U.S., specifically curated for the PTCE and ExCPT exams. At the heart of the book is a unique system of “mnemonic engineering,” in which each drug is represented by a custom-designed character—or mascot—that encodes key information visually. These mascots are not just illustrations; they are carefully crafted memory tools designed to embed drug facts into long-term recall.
Most mascots are name-based visual mnemonics, formed from phrases that link the generic and brand names in memorable, sometimes quirky ways. For example, Atorvastatin (LIPITOR) becomes the “Lippy Tornado,” and Metformin (GLUCOPHAGE) is “Mr. Met formin’ Glucose Fudge.” These image-based puns serve as anchors, helping students rapidly recall drug names, therapeutic classes, and common uses—crucial for both exams and daily practice in retail or clinical settings.
The core purpose of this mascot system is cognitive anchoring. By tapping into the brain’s visual and linguistic memory centers, the mascots help learners develop quick, reliable recall in real-world pharmacy environments. Whether verifying prescriptions, labeling medications, or answering patient questions, pharmacy techs trained with these visuals can recall facts faster and with greater confidence.
In more advanced CaferMed books, these mascots evolve into data-driven interaction avatars—sophisticated visuals that model drug-drug interactions, metabolic pathways, and receptor binding properties. Although this CPhT edition is focused on entry-level material, it serves as a foundational visual vocabulary that prepares students for future clinical learning.
This book combines humor, artistry, and pharmacology to create an engaging, high-yield study resource. By transforming dry drug lists into living, mnemonic-rich characters,
Top 100 Drugs: CPhT Edition makes pharmacology memorable—even fun—for students aiming to pass their certification exams and thrive as pharmacy technicians.
Dr Jason Cafer is Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at University of Missouri-Columbia. From 2019-April 2022 he was Medical Director for Behavioral Health Services at SSM Health/St. Mary's Hospital in Jefferson City, Missouri where he served as attending physician for a bustling 20-bed acute inpatient psychiatric unit. He graduated from University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine in 2003 and completed Psychiatric Residency at the same institution in 2007. He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and also the American Board of Preventive Medicine (Addiction Medicine).
