PAC2342 - Pharmacy in a public health context

Leader(s): Dr Safeera Hussainy

Offered

Parkville Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

• Pharmacy in a public health context: Introduce and define pharmaceutical public health. Explore detail of National Medicines Policy, especially Quality Use of Medicines Strategy, to see national context for pharmacy in public health. Cover issues in international health especially with regard to access to medicines. Discuss medicines promotion and health policy formation and impact;
• Health economics: Introduce concepts in health economics and process for informing decision making. Focus on cost effectiveness measures and application to medicine selection and medicine policy;
• Other health professions: Describe role and scope of practice of other health professions. Explore the relationship between pharmacy and other health professions to facilitate integrated patient-focused care;
• Evidence based practice: Introduction to principles of evidence based practice then application to making informed decisions regarding drug therapy. 2 lectures have special focus on EBM and complimentary medicines;
• Dispensing: Six 3 hour practical sessions.

Objectives

Students will develop:

1. an understanding of definitions and issues in public health including the socio-environmental determinants of health;
2. an understanding of the role of pharmacy in a public health context;
3. an understanding of the Australian National Medicines Policy and the Quality Use of Medicines strategy;
4. an understanding of the nature role and development of health policy;
5. abilities in applying population based evidence to improve clinical decision making;
6. abilities in applying health economic principles to medicines use;
7. abilities in dispensing, including clinical problem solving;
8. abilities in performing pharmaceutical calculations building on previous knowledge;
9. an appreciation of the roles of other health professionals and their relationship to pharmacy;
10. an appreciation of key issues around medicine promotion.

Assessment

prescription problem assignments: 15%; practical examination: 15%; final exam: 70%

Contact hours

36 hours of lectures (50 minutes each) and 18 hours of practicals (3 hours each)

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/