James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2023

PC2204 - Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics for Pharmacists

Subject Description

A thorough knowledge 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

• Explain the role of key hormones, electrolytes and neurotransmitters in the regulation of homeostasis, and normal cellular and organ function
• Apply key pharmacodynamic principles (cell/receptor interactions, agonism, antagonism and dose response) to explain the action of drugs in the body
• Describe and apply key pharmacokinetic principles of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion
• Describe the impact of changes in select patient parameters (age, weight, organ impairment or failure, comorbidity) on dose schedules, drug efficacy and patient safety
• Relate the pharmacology of commonly used medicines to their role in disease management or prevention
• Identify and explain the influence of genetics in pharmacy practice and how inter- patient variation alters an individual's response to pharmacological treatment

Subject Assessment

• Written > Examination (centrally administered) - (40%) - Individual
• Pharmacokinetics Modelling - (20%) - Group
• Written > Examination (College administered) - (30%) - Individual
• Performance/Practice/Product > Portfolio - (10%) - Individual

Note that 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.

Availabilities