Undergraduate - UnitPAC2232 - Drug delivery and disposition

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

1. Discuss the characteristics and properties of polymers in the solid state;
2. Describe the fundamental and derived properties of drugs including a detailed knowledge of the concept of particle size, particle size distributions and specific surface, and undertake calculations associated with particle size distributions and specific surface;
3. Discuss the importance and theory of powder drying, mixing and particle size reduction;
4. Explain formulation principles of tablets and capsules and undertake problems by applying theoretical knowledge in relation to formulation principles;
5. Discuss the primary physiological factors influencing drug absorption across the small intestine and the effects of altering rate of absorption and extent of absorption on plasma concentration and amount of drug in the body;
6. Define and calculate pharmacokinetic parameters, including drug clearance, elimination half-life, volume of distribution, fraction unbound, fraction excreted unchanged in urine and steady state plasma concentration after intravenous infusions and multiple dosing;
7. Describe the impact of plasma protein binding on hepatic and renal elimination processes;
8. Estimate the absolute and relative bioavailability of drugs given either plasma or urine concentration data.