Pharmacology

General Information
Duration 1 semester
Level Year 4, Semester 2
Unit Weighting Unit Credit Points: 10 credit points
Total Course Credit Points: 320 credit points
Student Workload Number of timetabled hours per week: 4
Number of personal study hours per week: 6
Total workload hours per week: 10
Prerequisites HMS205 Pathophysiology & Microbiology; CHM208 Chinese Herbal Medicine & Formulae 3
Academic Details
Description This unit provides students with a foundational understanding of Pharmacology as applied in both Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine. and drug actions related to physiological and pathological functions and addresses its application in
Students explore the selective therapeutic and prophylactic effects of Western medicines according to the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; the biomedical rationale for the use of specific drugs in commonly encountered conditions; and the interactions between different types of drugs and their adverse reactions. Throughout the study of pharmacology, students learn about principles for the safe use of drugs, the prevention and management of drug-related disorders, and the skills required to access information on drugs. Students learn about toxicology, evaluating toxicity, types of toxic effects, antidotes, drug-related disorders, and procedures for the reporting of adverse events of western medicines, medical devices, and vaccines to Australia’s regulatory authority for therapeutic goods (The Therapeutic Goods Administration, TGA).
Students also explore the chemistry and pharmacology of specific Chinese herbal medicines including their active constituents and herbal preparations. Students examine the mechanisms by which medicinal plants act on the human body including the metabolic pathways of active constituents, their sites of action, and potential for interaction and toxicity. Issues relating to the scheduling of herbal medicines, adverse reactions to herbal medicines, and interactions between Western pharmaceuticals and Chinese medicinal substances will also be examined.
Learning outcomes On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
a. Critically evaluate information on drugs including the nomenclature, classifications, formulations, indications, actions, main adverse effects, contraindications and administration of Western Pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and vaccines in compliance with the NSQHS Standards’ Medication Safety Standard.
b. Describe the principles of pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and their application.
c. Analyse the production and function of phytochemicals and the action of active constituents found in Chinese herbal medicines (CHM).
d. Apply the principles underpinning toxicology and strategies to prevent, manage, report adverse reactions to Chinese herbs.
e. Examine the potential interactions between Chinese medicinal substances and commonly used pharmaceuticals.
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