Biopharmaceutics
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| PHAR1016 | Pharmacy | 1 | 20 | Spring UK |
- Code
- PHAR1016
- School
- Pharmacy
- Level
- 1
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
The module considers:
Basic principles of aqueous/non-aqueous dispersed systems, suspensions and emulsions as drug formulations; formulation effects following major routes of drug administration
How the bioavailability of a drug is affected by both the formulation and the site of delivery
The major physiological barriers to drug absorption and the major routes of drug absorption
Basic concepts of pharmacokinetics: the characterisation of the time-course of drug absorption, distribution and excretion.
Using physico-chemical principles, you will learn how medicines are designed to suit different physiological conditions and clinical needs. You will study how drugs that are ‘almost impossible to dissolve’ can be formulated to yield benefits in the patient, and how drug formulations can be designed to cross physiological barriers.
Target Students
Available to BSc Pharmaceutical Sciences and MSci Pharmaceutical Sciences with a Year in Industry (Year 1)
Assessment
- 30% Report: Three assessments of practical sessions by electronic submission of a written laboratory report.
- 70% Exam 1 (2-hour): Written in person
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
The module provides an integrated approach to develop knowledge and understanding, as well as practical and professional transferrable skills, centred on the relationship between the physico-chemical properties of drug formulations and how these are optimised to achieve a desired therapeutic outcome. A range of multiphase drug formulations used in pharmacy will be introduced in the context of the design parameters required to suit different physiological conditions. The module will study why achieving colloidal stability of sub-200 nanometers sized emulsion droplets is crucial in parenteral infusions, how ‘almost impossible to dissolve’ drugs can be formulated to yield therapeutic effects and how physiological barriers can be crossed by drug/its formulation. Comprehend the basic concepts of pharmacokinetics: the characterisation of the time-course of drug absorption, distribution and excretion. Be able to calculate half-life, elimination rate constant, volume of distribution, and clearance and plasma concentration of drug.Learning Outcomes
A. Knowledge and understanding:
C. Professional/practical skills
D. Transferable/key skills
Critically evaluate and apply chemico-physical principles underpinning the design, manufacture, analysis and performance of dosage forms (A2)
Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of concepts and analytical methods relevant for drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (A5 )
Undertake practical experimental work using appropriate materials, operating procedures and instruments (C2)
Undertake numerical tasks and carry out quantitative analysis relevant to pharmaceutical science (C3)
Apply and report scientific knowledge in an ethical manner (C6)
Critically use information resources, including library and electronic sources (D1);
Communicate effectively in a variety of forms, including written, verbal and visual (D3)