Unit Code: PHM712

Unit Name: Pharmacology 2

Description: Pharmacology is the study of how drugs interact with living systems and alter the physiological and biochemical systems of the body (pharmacodynamics), what happens to the drugs as they pass through the organism (with respect to drug absorption, distribution, biotransformation, and elimination (pharmacokinetics), and the rationale for the clinical use of drugs to make diagnosis, prevent or treat disease, or for some other benefit to the recipient. The harmful effects of drugs and other chemicals to living organisms are also studied. 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). As such, a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles of pharmacology is essential for the effective discharge of this responsibility. In this course, the various classes of drugs and how they exert their effects on the different organs and systems of the body: their nature, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and the rationale for their use in treatment will be described. The course builds upon prior knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and the basic sciences, and prepares the ground for the study of more advanced courses in the pharmacy programme.

Learning Target Outcomes:

Prerequisite: PTH610, PHM610, PHM612, PHM611 & PHM613

Prerequisite Sentence: N/A

Credit Point: 30

Offered In: Semester 1,2