Caution
Copyright © Monash University 1996
ISBN 1037-0919
Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
81 lectures and 55 hours of combined practical work and tutorials
The aim of the subject is to provide students with a detailed knowledge of the interaction between the dose form and the patient and to provide a knowledge of the factors affecting drug product stability.
+ understanding of the use of pharmacokinetics to control administration of drugs; factors affecting bioavailability; measurement of bioavailability; biological and dose-form related factors affecting the delivery of drug via common routes; factors affecting dose-form stability;
+ abilities in the areas of performing pharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic calculations; the preparation of sterile dosage forms;
+ an appreciation of the importance of understanding the dose-form in optimising use of drugs; the importance of understanding the physiology and anatomy of the patient in optimising the use of dose forms; the importance of proper evaluation of dose forms.
Therapeutic drug monitoring. Prediction of dosage, use of population parameters, bayesian and probability methods.
Bioavailability. Definition, measurement of bioavailability, design of bioavailability studies, generic equivalence, dissolution testing.
Biopharmaceutics of the following dose routes. Peroral, buccal, rectal, percutaneous, occular, nasal, vaginal, parenteral.
Drug interactions. Pharmacokinetics of drug interactions involving absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.
Industrial pharmacy. The role of the pharmacist in the pharmaceutical industry. The code of `Good Manufacturing Practice'. Total quality management. Statistical process control.
Drug stability. Physical stability of selected dose forms, non-chemical loss; shelflife, storage conditions, accelerated stability testing, stability trial design; chemical stability, pH-rate profiles, hydrolysis, profiles of esters and amides; oxidation, photolysis; procedures for stabilisation; parenteral formulation design.
+ Practical work: 10%
+ End-of-year examination (3 hours): 90%
52 lectures and 50 hours of practical work
The aim of the subject is to cover the medicinal chemistry of current therapeutic agents. Aspects that are significant for the practice of pharmacy are emphasised.
+ understanding of the relationship between the chemical structure and biological activity of drugs and endogenous substances; mechanisms of drug action at a molecular level; the physicochemical basis for drug presentation and formulation; absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs from a chemical perspective;
+ abilities in the areas of recognising drug moieties important for drug-receptor interactions; applying chemical rationale to devising alternative forms of drug presentation; using chromatographic techniques for therapeutic drug monitoring;
+ an appreciation of modern drug design and development; computer-graphics techniques in pharmaceutical science; the chemical basis for drug toxicity and drug interactions; biological applications of spectroscopic techniques.
Drugs affecting the central nervous system. The structure-activity relationships and molecular conformation of CNS transmitter substances, analgesics, sedatives, hypnotics, antipsychotics, anti-Parkinson agents, antidepressants, stimulants and hallucinogenic agents.
Steroids and prostaglandins. Structural relationships and functions of the steroid hormones, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, anti-inflammatory agents, sex hormones, prostaglandins and related agents.
Pharmacodynamic agents. The structure, function and presentation of the following classes of therapeutic agents. Cardiovascular drugs, including antihypertensive inotropic and antiarrhythmic agents, vasodilators, coagulants and anticoagulants, plasma extenders and the diuretic agents. Respiratory tract drugs. Drugs affecting metabolic function, including hypoglycaemic and antithyroid agents. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Antiallergenic agents. Local and general anaesthetics.
Enzyme inhibitors as drugs. This lecture series examines the action of a number of clinically useful enzyme inhibitors with a view to understanding their mode of action. The importance of understanding enzyme mechanisms is emphasised, particularly as related to the rational design of new and specific therapeutic agents.
Anti-infective agents. The structure, function and mode of action of the antibiotics, sulphonamides, antitubercular, antimalarial and other antiprotozoal agents.
Detoxifying agents. Chelation therapy in the treatment of heavy-metal poisoning and specific disease states.
Peptides and proteins. The development of the therapeutic potential of peptides and proteins as drugs; structural modifications to endogenous and other peptides leading to increased selectivity, potency and in-vivo stability.
QSAR. Case studies in the application of QSAR concepts to the development of new drugs. Quinolone antimicrobial agents and atypical antipsychotics.
+ Practical work: 10%
+ End-of-year examination (3 hours): 90%
81 lectures and 63 hours of practical work
The aims of the subject are (i) to extend the knowledge of students in areas of systematic pharmacology not covered in the `Pharmacology I' course, (ii) to provide students with a greater knowledge of disease states and the rational treatment of these diseases by drugs and (iii) to consider biological aspects of drug development.
+ understanding of principles of receptor differentiation, drug-receptor interactions and receptor-transduction mechanisms; pharmacological mechanisms by which drugs of various classes may alter biochemical, physiological or pathophysiological parameters to produce therapeutic or unwanted effects; the particularities of the pharmacological, toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of individual compounds within drug classes as they impinge on their therapeutic use; the basic biochemistry of body constituents, metabolism, regulatory mechanisms and molecular biology; common disease states and their aetiology; the rational approach to the treatment of these diseases by drugs, drug choice in relation to individual patients and non-drug treatment modalities;
+ abilities in the areas of observation and measurement of pharmacological and biochemical processes; assessment and integration of pharmacological information as it relates to wanted and unwanted effects produced by drugs;
+ an appreciation of integrated physiological functions, pathophysiological sequelae and pharmacological perturbations as they affect bodily functions; the differing pharmacological approaches available for the treatment of individual diseases; the pharmacist's role in optimising drug therapy; social aspects of pharmacology, the abuse and misuse of prescription and nonprescription drugs and other chemicals; biological aspects of drug development, toxicity testing, clinical trials and drug registration; the integration of knowledge as it applies to the role of the pharmacist in the health team.
Pharmacology and therapeutics. The physiology and pathology associated with disease states and clinical conditions in various organs and body systems as a background to sites for potential pharmacological activity; the pharmacology of drug groups and individual drugs within these groups as a basis for rational drug therapy and the understanding of side-effects; comparisons between pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in disease treatment and the rational matching of pharmacological treatments with individual patient profiles. Cardiovascular diseases; arrhythmias, peripheral vascular disease, ischaemic heart disease, shock and congestive heart failure. Gastroenterology; antiulcer drugs, laxatives, antidiarrhoeal agents. The respiratory tract; asthma, bronchitis, bronchodilators, expectorants, mucolytics. Inflammatory disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, gout; nonnarcotic analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, uricosuric agents. Uterine relaxants and stimulants. Bladder, disorders of micturition. Drugs acting on cell division. The chemotherapy of cancer, carcinogens and immunosuppressant agents.
Central nervous system physiology, pharmacology and therapeutics. The reticular formation, wakefulness and limbic system. The EEG; sleep and epilepsy; antiepileptic drugs, hypnotics, sedatives and anaesthetics. Disorders of locomotion. Aetiology and therapy of Huntington's chorea. Parkinson's disease and spasticity. The role of limbic system, medulla and hypothalamus in the regulation of temperature, food and water intake, coughing, vomiting, respiration, emotion and behaviour. Antipyretics, anorectics, antitussives, emetics and antiemetics, respiratory stimulants, analeptics. Psychiatric disorders and their treatment, tranquillisers, antidepressants, psychomotor stimulants. Narcotics and narcotic analgesics. Headache.
Drug abuse and misuse. Dependence, addiction, tolerance, desensitisation. Dependence characteristics and treatment of abuse of hallucinogens, cocaine and other stimulants, alcohol and cannabis, barbiturates and other depressants, narcotics, tobacco and volatile agents.
Developmental pharmacology. Selection of target molecules; preclinical evaluations; phase I, II and III clinical trials; governmental requirements; post-marketing surveillance; iatrogenic disease, drug interactions. Toxicity testing of drugs and other chemicals, epidemiology; environmental toxicology and industrial diseases.
+ Tests: 10%
+ Practical work: 15%
+ End-of-year examinations (2 x 2 hours): 75%
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 and an ability to apply that knowledge and understanding in practice-oriented situations.
+ understanding of primary health care in the pharmacy setting, with particular reference to diseases of the respiratory, reproductive and gastrointestinal tracts, pain, and skin conditions; the common diseases of animals which fall within the scope of the practice of pharmacy; the principles of nutrition; special patient groups; the nature and uses of antimicrobial agents; the methods used to deal with poisoning; the legislation applicable to drugs, medicines, poisons and the practice of pharmacy;
+ abilities in the areas of responding to symptoms; problem solving in practice-oriented situations; use of drug information sources; communication and counselling;
+ an appreciation of the role of the pharmacist in primary health care; the provision of drug information by pharmacists; the provision of other services by pharmacists.
Veterinary pharmacy. Comparative anatomy and physiology; diseases transmitted from animals to humans; veterinary dosage forms; common diseases of domesticated animals; the role of the pharmacist in animal care.
Nutrition. The role of pharmacists in nutrition; information sources; the good diet; hazards of food products, uses and abuses of vitamins and minerals; nutrition and obesity; breast feeding and milk products; intravenous and enteral nutrition.
Special patient groups. Patients with cancer, immunocompromised patients, diabetic patients.
Antimicrobial agents. Selective toxicity, spectrum and classification of antimicrobial agents. Concept of rational chemotherapy vis a vis identity of pathogen, acute/chronic/recurrent infections, site of infection, resistance, adverse drug reactions, and laboratory involvement. Roles of `best-guess' therapy, antibiotic prophylaxis, combined therapy and supportive treatment. Antibiotic use, guidelines, precautions and counselling. The role of the pharmacist in rational prescribing of antimicrobials.
Poisons and antidotes. Poisons information centres; accidental poisoning; intentional poisoning; principles of first aid; specific poisons and antidotes. The role of the pharmacist in cases of poisoning.
Practical classes are designed to provide experience in applying skills required in provision of primary health care; drug information; computers in pharmacy; counselling; problem solving situations, eg inappropriate dosages, drug interactions, etc; dispensing of medicines; provision of other services and advice on other professional matters.
Forensic pharmacy. Legislation applicable to drugs, medicines, poisons and pharmacy generally including the following Acts and relevant regulations: Pharmacists Act 1974; Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981; Therapeutic Goods Act 1989; Therapeutic Goods (Victoria) Act 1994; National Health Act 1953; Health Act 1958. Legal and professional responsibilities; the Australian legal system; negligence; professional conduct; pharmacy organisations in Australia.
+ Forensic pharmacy examination (June): 15%
+ End-of-year written examination (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 course.
An 80-hour supervised project
The aim of the project is to enable students to study in depth a topic of relevance to pharmacy. The project may be library, laboratory, hospital or community practice based. In the course of the project, students will utilise and further expand written communication skills developed earlier in the course. Topics may be chosen from a list provided, or may be initiated by students in negotiation with supervisors.
+ understanding of scientific methodology; the selected topic;
+ abilities in the areas of planning and refining a research question in the topc selected; using relevant research tools in accessing and processing information; evaluation and interpretation of information gathered; reporting results in a scientific, clear and coherent manner;
+ an appreciation of the need for critical review of scientific publications.
+ Planning and methodology: 30%
+ Interpretation of information: 30%
+ Attitude and application: 20%
+ Format: 20%