| CODE | CPH3800 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Pharmacology for Nutritional Scientists | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will provide a detailed overview of principles of clinical and molecular pharmacology for Applied Food and Nutritional Sciences. The study unit will introduce concepts and terminology in pharmacology and cover the main principles of the mode of drug action as well as pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles which govern drug therapy. Graphical representations will be developed to contexualise the discussions and the examples used throughout the lectures, for example in the development of drug dosage regimens and the timing of drug administration as related to drug intake. Examples will be provided throughout the study unit of drugs and medicines which are key in the food science setting and which there will be ample explanation on the reasons for various drug- food interactions. The study-unit will also cover different drug formulations and their possible effects with food, food effects on drug bioavailability, medicines and breast feeding, as well as principles of toxicology as related to drugs and drug excipents. There will also be ample discussion on food and drug abuse in sport, role of vitamins and other borderline substances, impact of inappropriate drug use as well a practical aspects of drug administration in children. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit aims to lay the necessary foundation in order to enable food and nutritional science students to understand the role of clinical and molecular pharmacology in the correct use of drugs, medicines in patients seeking dietary advice. Students will receive a broad spectrum of applied pharmacology knowledge as related to the different classes of drugs key in food science and will provide a good understanding the effect of drugs with the ingestion of food and beverage in special populations. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Provide a detailed overview of the molecular and clinical principles underlying the therapeutic action of drugs; - Describe the different classes of drugs key in food science and mode of action of these drugs as related to their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; - Provide an overview of drug interactions, adverse drug reactions and mode of administration of drugs as associated with food and drink; - Relate the correct administration of drugs as related to food and drink intake; - Describe the importance of understanding the effect of drugs with the ingestion of food and beverage in special populations such as breastfeeding mothers and in the elderly; - Discuss the correct use of food and potential drug abuse in sport, role of vitamins and other borderline substances, in dietary intake. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Evaluate how a knowledge of clinical and molecular pharmacology can enhance their role as food and nutritional science health care professionals; - Apply their knowledge of the action of drugs in specific scenarios and populations as related to food science; - Discuss the appropriate role of drugs in making dietary recommendations; - Explore potential drug related issues in food science. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Ritter JM, Flower RJ, Henderson G, Loke YK, MacEwan D, Rang HP. Rang & Dale's Pharmacology. 9th Ed. 2019. Elsevier. - British National Formulary. Pharmaceutical Press. (issued bi-annually). Supplementary Readings: - Trevor AJ, Katzung BG. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 15th Ed. 2021. Mcgraw Hill Medical. - Brunton L, Knollmann B, Hilal-Dandan R.Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 13th Ed. 2017. McGraw-Hill Education. Revision aids: - Karen Whalen. Lippincott Illustrated Reviews: Pharmacology. 2018. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Journals: - Molecular pharmacology. Published by the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. - British Journal of Pharmacology. Published by the British Pharmacological Society. - British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. Published by the British Pharmacological Society. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Roger Ellul Micallef Anthony Fenech Janet Mifsud (Co-ord.) Jessica Spiteri Andrea Vella Lorna West Eliezer Zahra Mark Zammit |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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