Unit Code: PHM612

Unit Name: Introduction to Pharmacology

Description: Pharmacists are expected to be “the preeminent health care professionals responsible for the use of medicines in the prevention and treatment of disease” (Burke et al. Pharmacotherapy 2008; 28(6):806–815). Pharmacology is the study of how drugs interact with living systems. The field involves how drugs alter physiological and biochemical systems of the body (pharmacodynamics), what the body does to drugs (with respect to drug absorption, distribution, biotransformation, and excretion), the rationale for the clinical use of drugs to make diagnosis, prevent or treat disease or for some other benefit to the recipient and also learn the harmful effects of drugs and chemicals to living systems. In this course, we will explore fundamental concepts of pharmacology, including the key characteristics of drugs such as various classes of drugs and how they exert their effects on the different organs and systems of the body and treat various health conditions; their nature, mechanism of action, side effects, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and the rationale for their use in treatment (therapeutic use), drug interactions would be taught. The course builds upon student knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and other basic sciences and lay the foundations for the study of other advanced courses in the pharmacy programme.

Learning Target Outcomes: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Describe the introductory concepts of pharmacology in relation to pharmaceutical/pharmacy practice 2. Discuss the fundamental principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in relation to drug therapy. 3. Discuss the fundamental principles of drug interactions and adverse drug reactions 4. Discuss the clinical applications of drugs; understand the concept of pharmacogenomics - genetic basis for differences in drug responses; and evalaute the phases of drug development 5. Classify and discuss the pharmacological characteristics of drugs that affect the Autonomic Nervous System 6. Classify and discuss the pharmacological characterisitics of drugs that affect the Cardiovascular System 7. Classify and discuss the pharmacological characterisitics of drugs that affect the Renal System 8. Classify and discuss the pharmacological characterisitics of drugs used in the management of dyslipidaemia 9. Classify and discuss the pharmacological characterisitics of drugs that affect the Blood (Part 1)

Prerequisite: PHM514

Prerequisite Sentence: N/A

Credit Point: 15

Offered In: Semester 1