| CODE | MDS2009 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Pharmacology | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Faculty of Medicine and Surgery | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit covers the application of fundamental principles underlying the therapeutic action of drugs in the various phases of drug action, from the molecular level to drug analysis, understanding of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles and general pharmacological activity. Students will also develop a critical, rational attitude to drug therapy with a focus on how and why drugs act and how evidence of therapeutic effect is obtained and evaluated in the scenario of the various issues that may affect drug therapy (such as iatrogenic disease, benefits and risks, drug history and concomitant therapy, drug economics and other considerations). The case studies will provide examples for the students to conceptualize the use of drugs in the clinical setting. The unit will include: - the molecular and pharmacogenetic principles underlying the therapeutic action of drugs - drug development, drug interactions and adverse drug reactions - a general introduction to pharmacokinetics i.e. the determinants of the time course of the drug in the body, applying pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles in order to provide rational drug therapy and understanding therapeutic drug monitoring. - an introduction to different drug delivery systems, the principles underlying individualized drug therapy and issues concerning clinical pharmacology in varying populations. - a case studies discussion forum focusing on practical applications such as the design of dosage regimens and prescribing decisions. Study-unit aims: To provide a sound basis for the understanding of how therapeutic decisions are taken in the management of disease. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of this study-unit, the student will be able to: - Apply the basic principles used in molecular pharmacology and pharmacogenetics - Describe the various scientific principles which are involved in novel drug development - Understand the molecular principles involved in the mode of action of drugs - Understand the effects of drugs in specific populations eg adverse drug effects, iatrogenic effects and drug interactions - Interpret pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data and drug plasma concentrations - Outline the concept of individualised drug therapy - List the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the 'ideal drug' 2. Skills By the end of this study-unit, the student will be able to: - Apply knowledge of the molecular mode of action of drugs to specific clinical scenarios - Apply basic pharmacological principles in prescribing decisions - Predict inter-patient variability with respect to drug response - Explain the selection of differing drug therapies for the individual patient Main texts: - P. N. Bennett, Morris J. Brown Clinical Pharmacology: With STUDENTCONSULT Access (Paperback) 10th Edition. Churchill Livingston (2007) ISBN-10: 0443102449 ISBN-13: 978-0443102448 - Humphrey P. Rang, Maureen M. Dale, James M. Ritter BM, Rod Flower Pharmacology: With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access (Paperback) 6th Edition Churchill Livingstone (2007) ISBN-10: 0443069115 ISBN-13: 978-0443069116 Study Aids - Dale, Dickenson and Haylett. Companion to Pharmacology,. Churchill Livingstone. - Neal. Medical Pharmacology at a glance. Blackwell Science. - Harvey Champ. Pharmacology - Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews. Lippincott-Raven. - Reid, JL, Rubin, PC, Whiting B. Lecture notes on Clinical Pharmacology Journals (available in Main Library and Health Sciences Library) Biopharmaceutics and drug disposition British Journal of Pharmacology Clinical Drug Investigation Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology Clinical Pharmacokinetics Drug Metabolism and Drug Interactions Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin Drugs Environmental toxicology and Pharmacology European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics European Journal of Molecular Pharmacology European Journal of Pharmacology Journal of Pharmacokinetics and Biopharmaceutics Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology Pharmacy and Pharmacology Communications Prescriber’s Journal Pulmonary Pharmacology andTherapeutics Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Trends in Pharmacological Sciences |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Anne Marie Bonello Maria A. Cordina Roger Ellul Micallef Anthony Fenech Janet Mifsud (Co-ord.) Vanessa Petroni Patricia Vella Bonanno 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 2022/3. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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