PC2204 - Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics for Pharmacists

A thorough understanding of pharmacological principles is essential for pharmacists to understand how drugs work, and to allow them to make clinical decisions on behalf of patients to ensure the safety and efficacy of their therapy. Key mechanisms of normal cellular messaging and other introductory concepts will lead into a thorough exploration of important pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic principles. These principles are reinforced by applying them to clinical situations including conducting relevant calculations. Students will also examine the implication of genetics in pharmacy practice, focusing on how inter-patient genetic variation results in variable individual responses to pharmacological therapy. This subject will also introduce the student to the emerging field of in-pharmacy genetic testing and subsequent counselling of patients regarding the results.

Learning Outcomes

• Describe the mechanisms by which cells communicate with one another within the human body;
• Describe key pharmacodynamic principles including cell/receptor interactions, agonism, antagonism and dose response;
• Describe key pharmacokinetic principles including absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion;
• Apply key pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic principles to clinical situations and conduct relevant calculations;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the influence of genetics in pharmacy practice and how inter- patient variation alters an individuals response to pharmacological treatment.

Subject Assessment

• Invigilated > End of semester exam - (40%)
• Quizzes and tests - (40%)
• Assignments - (20%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.