Fundamental of Pharmacy
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| PHAR1033 | Pharmacy | 1 | N/A | Autumn Malaysia |
- Code
- PHAR1033
- School
- Pharmacy
- Level
- 1
- Credits
- N/A
- Semesters
- Autumn Malaysia
Summary
This teaching block aims to give students the basic skills needed as a pharmacist and provides students with an understanding of the role of the pharmacist in healthcare. This is achieved through the three main areas of the module, which are: 1. Fundamental concepts in science relating to drugs 2. Medicines design 3. Professional and clinical pharmacy. The teaching block facilitates an understanding of the scientific principles which underpin the biology, pharmacology and pharmaceutics associated with drugs and medicines, and provides a scaffold in learning on subsequent teaching blocks.
On completion of the teaching block, students should be able to demonstrate that they can communicate both orally and in writing about medicines and science with a diverse selection of people, considering the patient as a person. Students should be able to work with accuracy and precision during laboratory practical activities, when dealing with dispensed medicines, and when performing calculations. They should be able to assess the validity and appropriateness of information. They should demonstrate their understanding of the five key areas of science, namely, chemistry, pharmaceutics, biology and physiology, pharmacology and therapeutics, and Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Elimination (ADME). Students will be introduced to their future responsibilities in the protection of the public, ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines and by being an expert in drugs and medicines. Students will start to look at roles of pharmacists in hospitals, primary care organisations, community pharmacies and the pharmaceutical industry and how, within the health care system, pharmacists work in interdisciplinary teams to optimise the treatment of their patients. The many different types of medicines available for supply to the public are exemplified by reference to over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.
Target Students
Only available for students studying MPharm AND Only available for UNM First Year Students
Classes
- Two 2-hour-30-minute workshops each week for 10 weeks
- One 1-hour tutorial each week for 6 weeks
- One 1-hour seminar each week for 5 weeks
- Eight 1-hour lectures each week for 11 weeks
- One 3-hour laboratory each week for 4 weeks
Assessment
Educational Aims
The module will provide: 1) An introductory understanding of the roles of pharmacists and how they work within the healthcare system2) An overview of the origin, structure and diversity of medicinal products3) Basic science knowledge in five key areas that underpin the rest of the MPharm degree, namely:• Chemistry• Pharmaceutics• Biology and Physiology• Pharmacology and Therapeutics• Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Elimination (ADME) of drugs4) The basic elements of core skills for being a professional pharmacist, which will be further developed and built on throughout the course:• Communication with the public and the health care team; • Evidence-based medicine and using pharmaceutical information sources; • Numeracy, calculations and data presentation; • Pharmacist checking skills, including accuracy and precision.Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate effective communication at all times and adapt their approach and communication style to meet the needs of the person
2. Treat people as equals, with dignity and respect, and meet their own legal responsibilities under equality and human rights
3. Take responsibility for ensuring that personal values and beliefs do not compromise person-centred care
4. Take into consideration factors that affect people’s behaviours in relation to health and wellbeing
5. Demonstrate the values, attitudes and behaviours expected of a pharmacy professional at all times
6. Apply professional judgement in all circumstances, taking legal and ethical reasoning into account
7. Recognise and work within the limits of their knowledge and skills, and get support and refer to others when they need to
8. Take responsibility for all aspects of health and safety and take actions when necessary
9. Apply the science behind pharmacy in all activities
10. Demonstrate how the science behind pharmacy is applied in the discovery, design, development and safety testing of medicines and devices
11. Apply pharmaceutical principles to the safe and effective formulation, preparation, packaging and disposal of medicines and products
12. Appraise the evidence base and apply clinical reasoning and professional judgement to make safe and logical decisions which minimise risk and optimise outcomes for the person
13. Accurately perform calculations
14. Effectively make use of local and national health and social care policies to improve health outcomes and public health, and to address health inequalities
15. Respond appropriately to medical emergencies, including the provision of first aid
16. Demonstrate effective leadership and management skills as part of the multi-disciplinary team
17. Make use of the skills and knowledge of other members of the multi-disciplinary team to manage resources and priorities
18. Develop, lead and apply effective strategies to improve the quality of care and safe use of medicines
19. Use tools and techniques to avoid medication errors associated with prescribing, supply and administration
20. Recognise when and how their performance or that of others could put people at risk and take appropriate action
21. Demonstrate resilience and flexibility, and apply effective strategies to manage multiple priorities, uncertainty, complexity and change
22. Reflect upon, identify, and proactively address their learning needs
Conveners
- Dr Georgina Elizabeth Marsh
- Dr Marikannan Maharajan