100 lectures, 30 hours of practical work
The aim of the subject is to provide students with a knowledge and understanding of a range of subjects of importance to the practice of pharmacy.
General objectives
In this teaching program students are expected to develop:
understanding of the role of pharmacists in primary health care, with particular references to pain, skin care and skin conditions, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, reproductive disorders, diseases of the respiratory tract; the legislation that is applicable to drugs, medicines, poisons and the practice of pharmacy; the sources of drug information and methods used to retrieve and then present this information in both the oral and written formats; the role of pharmacists in nutrition; the use and abuse of chemicals commonly used in the community; the common diseases of animals which fall within the scope of the practice of pharmacy; the role of metals in therapeutics and toxicology; the methods used to deal with accidental and/or intentional poisonings;
abilities in the areas of responding to presenting symptoms; problem solving in practice-oriented situations; communication and counselling;
an appreciation of the role of pharmacists in primary health care; the provision of drug information by pharmacists; the provision of other services by pharmacists.
Syllabus
Drug information. Chemical and drug information systems; National Drug Information Service; drug data bases; retrieval of information; provision of drug information, use of such information in report writing.
Primary health care. Responding to symptoms; taking a history, questioning, communication with the patient and other professionals; pain and its meanings; skin care and diseases, common skin ailments and treatment, sunscreens and sunburn, wound healing, wound dressings, hair care, nail care, skin care, cosmetics; respiratory diseases, asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases, cough and cold treatments, eyes, contact lenses, earache, ear wax, epistaxis; gastrointestinal diseases, mouth ulcers, toothache, dyspepsia, gastroenteritis, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, anorectal conditions; reproductive health, contraception, pregnancy diagnostic tests, dysmenorrhoea, premenstrual syndrome, menopause, hormone replacement therapy, thrush; the immune compromised patient; the diabetic patient.
Veterinary pharmacy. Comparative anatomy and physiology; diseases transmitted from animals to man; veterinary dose forms; common diseases of domesticated animals; the role of the pharmacist in animal care.
Poisons and antidotes. Poisons information centres; accidental poisonings; intentional poisonings; principles of first aid; specific poisons and antidotes.
Nutrition. The role of pharmacists in nutrition; information sources; the good diet; hazards of food products; use and abuses of vitamins; nutrition and obesity; breast feeding and milk products; intravenous and enteral nutrition.
Metals in medicine. Use of metals from the therapeutic/clinical and toxicological aspects. Myths and controversies surrounding the ingestion of various metal `nutrients.'
Chemistry in the home. Garden products, insecticides, herbicides, pesticides; swimming pools, chlorination, pH monitoring; food additives, sweeteners, preservatives, dyestuffs, colours, fixing; plastics, containers, adhesives, disposal of chemicals, photography.
Forensic pharmacy. Legislation applicable to drugs, medicines, poisons and pharmacy generally including the following Acts and Regulations: Pharmacists Act; Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act; Health Act; National Health Act; Animal Preparations Act; Therapeutic Goods Act; legal and professional responsibilities; professional conduct; pharmacy organisations in Australia.
Practical
30 hours of practical sessions
Practical classes are designed to provide experience of the skills required in providing primary health care, drug information, computers in pharmacy, counselling, problem solving situations such as inappropriate dosages, drug interactions, etc., dispensed medicines and advice on other professional matters.
Textbooks
Recommended texts
Australian Pharmaceutical Publishing Australian prescription products guide APP, 1994
Benrimoj S I and others Clinical case studies for community pharmacists UQP, 1992
Holland R When to refer: A handbook for pharmacists Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, 1993
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Australian pharmaceutical formulary 15th edn, PSA, 1992
Pharmacy Board of Victoria Office consolidation 2nd edn, PBV, 1987
Victorian College of Pharmacy Pharmaceutics III/Pharmacy practice III laboratory manual VCP, 1995
Reference books
Smith M C and Knapp D A Pharmacy, drugs and medical care 5th edn, Williams and Wilkins, 1992
Warden-Flood J Handbook for patient medication counselling 6th edn, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, 1993
Wertheimer A I and Smith M C Pharmacy practice: Social and behavioural aspects 3rd edn, Williams and Wilkins, 1989
Journal references
Australian Pharmacist
Australian Prescriber
Current Therapeutics
Assessment
Subject assessment will reflect the learning objectives outlined above. Methods of assessment will include:
Forensic pharmacy examination (June) (2 hours): 15%
End-of-year written examination on core material (3 hours): 60%
End-of-year open book laboratory-based examination (3 hours): 25%. It should be noted that the 13 lectures given in `Pharmacy practice II' on counselling, social pharmacy and illness behaviour will be examined in this paper
Dispensing: Students are required to reach a satisfactory level of competence in dispensing by the end of the subject