Infections 2

Code

PHAR2045

School

Pharmacy

Level

2

Credits

N/A

Semesters

Autumn Malaysia

Summary

Viruses and Parasites present special challenges for Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists. There are far less antiviral than anti-bacterial drugs; the same can be said for anthelminthics. Although this may not be obvious, viruses and parasites, whether small unicellular organisms like the causative agent of malaria, or larger metazoan parasites such as worms, share one feature: they have all adopted a parasitic lifestyle. This has special implications in terms of the number of targets available for selective treatment. The aim of this module is to make you aware of the fundamental problems encountered in the treatment of parasitic diseases, while at the same time highlighting how modern approaches (e.g. in silico drug design) can overcome such limitations.

More than other diseases, viral diseases such as HIV or bird flu H5N1 influenza can raise complex ethical issues, ranging from confidentiality to the ethical management of pandemics. Neglected tropical diseases account for a large number of deaths worldwide, yet as their name suggest they are not in the focus of drug development. Travel medicine and sexually transmitted diseases, along with their prevention and management will be covered in this Teaching block.

On completion of the module, students should be able to:

• Understand the biological mechanisms employed by parasites to infect their hosts
• Understand how such mechanisms are targeted by drugs
• Understand the mechanisms of action and pharmacological properties of antiviral, antiprotozoan and anti-helminthic drugs
• Describe the therapeutic usefulness of numerous classes of medicine in clinical use
• Advise patients regarding travel medicines and immunisation
• Provide advice on the management and prevention of sexually transmitted infections

Describe the therapeutic uses of the main antiviral and antiparasitic veterinary medicines.

Target Students

Only available for students studying MPharm AND Only available for UNM / Year 2 students

Assessment

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate empathy and keep the person at the centre of their approach to care at all times
2. Work in partnership with people to support and empower them in shared decision-making about their health and wellbeing
3. Demonstrate effective communication at all times and adapt their approach and communication style to meet the needs of the person
4. Understand the variety of settings and adapt their communication accordingly
5. Proactively support people to make safe and effective use of their medicines and devices
6. Treat people as equals, with dignity and respect, and meet their own legal responsibilities under equality and human rights
7. Obtain informed consent before providing care and pharmacy services
8. Assess and respond to the person’s particular health risks, taking account of individuals’ protected characteristics and background
9. Take responsibility for ensuring that personal values and beliefs do not compromise person-centred care
10. Demonstrate effective consultation skills, and in partnership with the person, decide the most appropriate course of action
11. Take into consideration factors that affect people’s behaviours in relation to health and wellbeing
12. Recognise the psychological, physiological and physical impact of prescribing decisions on people
13. Work collaboratively and effectively with other members of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure high-quality, person-centred care, including continuity of care
14. Demonstrate the values, attitudes and behaviours expected of a pharmacy professional at all times
15. Apply professional judgement in all circumstances, taking legal and ethical reasoning into account
16. Recognise and work within the limits of their knowledge and skills, and get support and refer to others when they need to
17. Take responsibility for all aspects of health and safety and take actions when necessary
18. Act openly and honestly when things go wrong and raise concerns even when it is not easy to do so
19. Apply the science behind pharmacy in all activities
20. Apply pharmaceutical principles to the safe and effective formulation, preparation, packaging and disposal of medicines and products
21. Consider the quality, safety and risks associated with medicines and products and take appropriate action when producing, supplying and prescribing them
22. Demonstrate effective diagnostic skills, including physical examination, to decide the most appropriate course of action for the person
23. Apply the principles of clinical therapeutics, pharmacology and genomics to make effective use of medicines for people, including in their prescribing practice
24. 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
25. Accurately perform calculations
26. Effectively promote healthy lifestyles using evidence-based techniques
27. Apply the principles of effective monitoring and management to improve health outcomes
28. Apply relevant legislation and ethical decision-making related to prescribing, including remote prescribing
29. Prescribe effectively within the relevant systems and frameworks for medicines use
30. Understand clinical governance in relation to prescribing, while also considering that the prescriber may be in a position to supply the prescribed medicines to people
31. Take responsibility for people’s health records, including the legality, appropriateness, accuracy, security and confidentiality of personal data
32. Understand and implement relevant safeguarding procedures, including local and national guidance in relation to each person
33. Effectively make use of local and national health and social care policies to improve health outcomes and public health, and to address health inequalities
34. Proactively participate in the promotion and protection of public health in their practice
35. Identify misuse of medicines and implement effective strategies to deal with this
36. Respond appropriately to medical emergencies, including the provision of first aid
37. Demonstrate effective leadership and management skills as part of the multi-disciplinary team
38. Actively take part in the management of risks and consider the impacts on people
39. Use tools and techniques to avoid medication errors associated with prescribing, supply and administration
40. Take appropriate actions to respond to complaints, incidents or errors in a timely manner and to prevent them happening again
41. Recognise when and how their performance or that of others could put people at risk and take appropriate actions
42. Demonstrate resilience and flexibility, and apply effective strategies to manage multiple priorities, uncertainty, complexity and change
43. Reflect upon, identify, and proactively address their learning needs
44. Support the learning and development of others, including through mentoring

Conveners

• Dr Zhi Yuan Kok