James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2003

PC1004:03

Introduction to Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences 1

Townsville HECS Band 2

36 hours lectures, 18 hours tutorials, 24 hours practicals/workshops. Semester 1.

Available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Pharmacy.

Staff: Assoc. Professor B Glass, Dr G Grant, Dr R Rasiah and invited lecturers.

Professional pharmacy practice occurs in a large variety of settings including hospitals, the community, armed forces, industry and research institutions. Students are introduced to the role of pharmacy in Australian society, its history, professional ethics and the forensic aspects of pharmacy. Students will discover how pharmacists interact with other health care professionals in the provision of quality primary health care in urban areas and their extended roles in rural and remote parts of Australia.

Students are also introduced to the basic principles of pharmacy practice, the social aspects of pharmacy, drug disposition and pharmaceutical science, including extemporaneous dispensing and pharmaceutical formulations. This includes the basic principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmaceutics and the factors that affect the bioavailability of a drug in the body.

Learning Objectives:

  1. outline the role of the pharmacy practitioner as a member of the primary health care team in Australia, including the rural and remote aspects of pharmacy practice;
  2. discuss the social and forensic aspects of pharmacy;
  3. develop a general understanding of the range practice of pharmacy in Australia;
  4. describe the principles of basic pharmacokinetics;
  5. introduction to the principles of pharmaceutics.

Assessment by a three-hour examination (60%); laboratory attendance, examination and reports (20%) – this is composed of 15% for two practical write-ups, 5% for the practical examination; pharmacy practice assignment (20%). A satisfactory performance in all aspects of the subject is required. This is defined as at least 60% in the dispensing practical examination and all laboratory reports and at least 50% for all other sections of the course. Attendance at practicals is compulsory.