Module PHAR1006: Fundamentals of Pharmacy - the integration of science and practice

Department: Health [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

PHAR1006: Fundamentals of Pharmacy - the integration of science and practice

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• The module will provide the basis for the systematic understanding of pharmacy practice via the integration of fundamental chemical, pharmaceutical and biological sciences. Students will be introduced to the concepts of professionalism and the wider role of the pharmacist throughout healthcare and industry. Students will be introduced to communities of practice and begin to develop their professional identity.

Content

• An overarching aspect of this module will be the introduction of research skills including literature searching, referencing, statistics and simple critical appraisal. Students will be introduced to academic writing and encouraged to develop their own skills in this area.
• This module will cover the underpinning science of pharmacy, including fundamental pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical microbiology, anatomy, physiology and clinical biochemistry. The role of the pharmacist in all areas of practice will be examined including the structure of the UK healthcare system and the NHS in particular.
• Students will develop a broad understanding of the pharmaceutical sciences in the context of the discovery, synthesis, formulation and stability of drugs and medicines, alongside an orientation to the practice of pharmacy in all sectors. UK healthcare systems will be outlined emphasising the role of the pharmacist therein developing the idea of professional identity and conduct, including to the regulatory authority.
• Pharmacy Profession - Introduction to the profession, professional regulation and the role and conduct of the student at the outset within the pharmacy profession will cover regulatory matters governing the pharmacy profession, professional ethics, fitness to practice, the structure and function of both the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), confidentiality and Caldicott Guardianship. Examination of UK Healthcare management systems will be addressed with reference to organisation of National Health Service in all of Great Britain, including the NHS, NHS Scotland, NHS Wales, the Department of Health, Scottish Government Health Department, Welsh Assembly Government and Department for Health and Social Services. Professional contribution of the pharmacist within the context of health improvement will be addressed considering historical, present and the potential future scenarios including possible political drivers for change within the profession. Professional conduct, especially in regard to practical placements is to be emphasised as students will experience professional placements in community and hospital pharmacy.
• Routes of Administration - An introduction to the fundamentals of bonding, molecular shape, functional group chemistry, acid-base theory, extent and rate of reactivity will provide the basis of pre-formulation by identifying the physical and chemical properties of pharmaceutical compounds. The main types of dosage form and routes of administration commonly encountered in pharmaceutical practice will be covered progressing to concepts concerning bulk physical properties associated with various pre-formulation processes.
• Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Quality Assurance (QA)will be introduced through examining key potential risk factors involved in maintaining quality control of a medicinal product. Emphasis of the underpinning scientific principles involved in design, development and formulation of an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) will encourage students to think of introducing Quality by Design (QbD) into product development as opposed to using quality control processes as a safe guard. Relationships to professional practice and ultimately patient care will be integrated through case based scenarios.
• Gross Anatomy and Cell Science - Gross anatomy and cell science will focus on normal healthy function of individual organs systems including the G/I tract, respiratory, endocrine, immune, musculoskeletal, CNS and cardiovascular systems. The application and development of dosage forms to each system will include fundamentals of ADME (Adsorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Elimination) and relationship to routes of administration.
• Biological Molecules - The main classes of biologically relevant molecules will be introduced as an extension of functional group chemistry. Through functional group property/structure activity relationship/biological function association the main classes of biologically relevant molecules (proteins, DNA/RNA and carbohydrates, hormones, neurotransmitters and small endogenous molecules) will be introduced alongside principles of cell signalling. Ligand-receptor theory will be approached from the interaction of endoogenous ligands with normal physiology, which will relate to enzyme kinetics. The role of metal ions in enzymes and biochemistry will be used to illustrate the relationship between structure and function and thus clinical effect. Whilst the module will concentrate on normal physiology we will take opportunities during the discussions of these molecules to state what diseases are related to any abnormality in structure and/or function. Students will also be introduced to a range of analytical techniques that can be employed to gain both structural information and quality with regard to biological molecules extending to clinical biochemistry application. Within this area, we will develop numeracy skills in relation to therapeutics and fundamental statistics in terms of data collection, management and analysis. Throughout the discussion of the structure and function of biological molecules, important concepts will be illustrated by the use of relevant examples from medicinal chemistry, which will be tied to clinical case studies.
• Microbiology - The role of molecules portrayed within biochemistry of the cell will be covered addressing structural aspects, metabolic pathways, information transfer of both hereditary and cell signals via both extra and intracellular receptors. The discussion of structure and function of biological molecules will also include their role within microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts, moulds and viruses). Real world application of microbiology and immunology towards public health and infection will be covered including principles of vaccination, infection control, hospital and community acquired infection. Treatment at this stage will not be addressed but contextualising the structure/function of related defence systems adapted by micro-organisms will be examined.
• Sources of Drugs - Sources of drugs (or initial pharmacophores) currently used in practice will be introduced through the appreciation of a number of classic examples (e.g drugs from natural products). Pharmacophore optimization to a clinical drug will be developed through a process of iterative investigation contextualised alongside a discussion of regulatory structure in terms of pharmaceutical manufacture and professional practice.
• Clinical Skills - This part of the module will be supported with an introduction to the principles of basic communication and consultation skills alongside fundamental physical examination of the patient. Students will be taught to perform initial patient assessment and measurement of common physiological parameters including measurement of simple physical parameters such as blood pressure, temperature and respiratory rate, blood glucose and urine analysis. To strengthen the link between the study of fundamental physiology and patient care, students will be given access to patients throughout the module in the form of placements.

Learning Outcomes

• essential knowledge of fundamental chemical and pharmaceutical science to support patient care and professional practice;
• essential knowledge of the normal anatomy, physiology and function of the human body including an understanding of associated nomenclature;
• essential knowledge of the structure and function of eukaryotes, prokaryotes and viruses, their identification, isolation and quantification;
• essential knowledge of communication skills and structured frameworks of consultation;
• essential knowledge of the regulatory frameworks governing the profession of pharmacy;

• the ability to study effectively, safely, ethically and lawfully for pharmacy at degree level, including the use of reflective techniques and teamwork;
• the capacity to apply a range of laboratory techniques, analyse the data and present the outcomes in an appropriate form;
• the ability to relate the activity and physical properties of pharmaceutical molecules and biological macromolecules to their structure;
• the ability to accurately and reliably perform pharmaceutical calculations;
• the ability to conduct patient assessments and counselling using appropriate communication and consultation skills;
• the ability to choose appropriate equipment to measure basic physiological parameters

• the ability to express one’s own ideas orally and in writing, to summarise the ideas of others and to distinguish between the two;
• the ability to manage time to meet a set of pre-determined deadlines both as an individual and as part of a team;
• the ability to understand and evaluate numerical data using basic statistical skills
• the ability to outline key concepts and apply them to a specific issue, problem or question;

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching and learning strategies include lectures, seminars, computational sessions, practical classes, interprofessional education and placements.
• Lectures will provide an introduction to those topics and will allow students to develop an understanding of the basis for the practical and seminar sessions that follow. Lectures allow for the delivery of important information, which helps to introduce fundamental concepts and also to outline cutting-edge developments within a particular field. Lectures are an important opportunity to introduce research within the Division and to underline to students that they are part of a research led organisation.
• Practical sessions will allow students to engage with experimental work in chemistry, pharmacology, microbiology and pharmaceutics. These sessions will provide an important basis to help students understand the practical application of theory covered in lectures. Other practical work will include interaction with patients within the University as well as using human simulators and computer-based learning packages. These sessions will also include introduction to physiology and anatomy and will involve physiological testing and examination of human tissue.
• Computational sessions will introduce students to various software packages that will be used within the programme including those used for drawing chemical structures, organising online portfolios and statistical analysis of data. These sessions will help students to become proficient in the use of software and also see the application.
• Seminars will take the form of case study review, case study integration, data analysis sessions, clinical skills and ethical challenges. These sessions will help students to understand material in greater depth and in particular to understand the application in practice of fundamental pharmaceutical, biological and chemical sciences. We will not formally introduce PBL at this stage but we will encourage students to engage in problem-solving activities in order to develop their confidence and communication skills.
• Interprofessional education sessions will be included in this module and will focus on the safe, legal and effective use of medicines. We expect that these sessions will develop confidence, decision-making skills, and a clear understanding of the role of the pharmacist within the wider health care team.
• Students will attend placements in hospital and community pharmacy. These placements will be an introduction to a professional environment and the communities of practice therein. We will expect students to get a fundamental understanding of a range of pharmaceutical care provision from these placements as well as understanding the wider health care context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Two multiple choice question (MCQ) tests per term, students must complete all tests in order to successfully pass the module. Reflective portfolio related to placement experience.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University