Title
Therapeutic Aspects of Neuroendocrinology and Pharmacokinetics
Code
PY233/4/5
Level
5
Credit rating
40 points
Pre-requisites
Respiratory and Dermatological Therapeutics in Pharmacy Practice
Co-requisites
Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Immunology and Biotechnology
Type
Extensive
Aims
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Learning outcomes
to understand the physiology and pathology of the autonomic,
endocrine, GI, renal/hepatic systems and the inflammatory
process and gain a sound understanding of the mechanisms by
which different pharmacological agents can modify these
processes and hence manage disease.
to gain a realisation of the necessity for pharmacological
intervention and an ability to predict Type 1 adverse drug
reactions.
to extend appreciation of factors affecting pharmacokinetics.
to help the students integrate knowledge from case histories,
simple diagnostic tests, and the pharmacology and chemistry of
drugs that act on the systems and processes detailed above.
to continue to develop the skills necessary to communicate
health and related matters.
to extend understanding of the relevant legislation regarding
medicinal products.
On completion of this module the student should be able to:
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demonstrate an appreciation of the physiology and pathology of
the autonomic, endocrine, GI, renal and hepatic systems and the
inflammatory process, associate common symptoms with
relevant pathological conditions, understand the aetiologies of
diseases of these systems and the rationales underlying the use
of pharmacological agents in their treatment.
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utilise and analyse information from various simple diagnostic
tests of physiological and pathological function and integrate this
with pharmacological and pharmaceutical knowledge to
evaluate drug therapy across a broad range of situations.
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demonstrate a recognition of Type 1 adverse drug reactions on
the basis of pharmacological knowledge.
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explain the factors influencing pharmacokinetics.
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accept responsibility for achieving personal and/or group
outcomes by developing a variety of professional skills.
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recognise basic professional/ethical issues.
Content
This module normally comprises 64 hours of theory and 64 hours of
coursework supported by 152 hours of experiential learning and
guided study.
Autonomic nervous system: introduction to the autonomic nervous
system and the principles of neurochemical transmission:
characteristics of the functional components of the nervous system
and an overview of the anatomical and functional organization of the
whole peripheral nervous system. Detailed considerations of the
events involved in cholinergic and noradrenergic transmission.
Mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses and adverse reactions
associated with those drugs used to modify functions controlled by
the autonomic nervous system. (Normally 12 hours)
Autocoids: the inflammatory process, anti-inflammatory drugs and
autocoids: mechanisms of the inflammatory response to tissue
invasion and/or damage. The pathology of selected inflammatory
diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout. The mechanism of
action and therapeutic uses of anti-inflammatory drugs.
Complementary therapies used for the relief of allergic disorders.
Pathological investigations: the clinical importance of laboratory
analysis of body fluids with particular reference to inflammatory
disease; gene polymorphisms (eg 5-lipoxygenase) and their impact
on pathology and therapeutics. (Normally 10 hours)
Renal: renal physiology and pharmacology: anatomy and
physiological functions of the kidney and urinary tract. Neuroendocrine control of renal function. Common disorders of renal
function and their detection using appropriate tests. Mechanisms of
action and introduction to the therapeutic uses of different groups of
diuretics and anti-diuretics. Pathological investigations: the clinical
importance of laboratory analysis of body fluids with particular
reference to renal function tests and plasma electrolytes. (Normally
10 hours)
GI and liver: the gastro-intestinal tract, the absorption of nutrients
and nutritional diseases. Anatomy and physiological functions of the
various regions of the hepatic and gastro-intestinal tract. An
introduction to nutrition, current dietary recommendations and
nutritional diseases (obseity). Aetiologies, symptoms and treatment
rationales of common disorders of gastro-intestinal function,
including the use of complementary therapies. Pathological
investigations: the clinical importance of laboratory analysis of body
fluids with particular reference to liver and GI diseases. Nutritional
therapy for the seriously ill (TPN). Polymorphisms of drug
metabolising enzymes and the use of genetic screening to inform
therapeutic decisions. (Normally 10 hours)
Endocrine: anatomy and physiological functions of the endocrine
system, and its relationship to neural mechanisms in the control of
integrated functioning of the body. Review of the cellular
mechanisms of hormone action and the principles of feedback
controls. Aetiology, symptoms and treatments of disorders of
pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, gonadal and pancreatic
endocrine functions. Impact of diabetes mellitus on life style, patient
management of therapy, impact of National Service Framework
(NSF). Gene polymorphisms and endocrine disorders; prospects of
genetic testing for disease susceptibility. Contraception and the
treatment of infertility. Pathological investigations: the clinical
importance of laboratory analysis of body fluids with particular
reference to endocrine function tests. (Normally 12 hours)
Pharmacokinetics: liver function and drug clearance. The time
course of drug action, volume of distribution, compartment models,
biological half-life, rates and simple kinetics of absorption and
elimination. Effects of these on serum levels and dosage regimens.
Mathematical approaches, predictions and clinical applications.
Therapeutics: factors affecting the selection and use of drugs in
patients on renal dialysis or in renal, or hepatic failure. (Normally 10
hours)
Coursework
A typical coursework programme would include the following:
Laboratory practical classes (for example the effects of drugs on
isolated tissue, the effects of drugs on urine volume and composition
in humans, seminars, tutorials, simulated exercises in the pharmacy
to include dispensing, aseptic drug preparation, counselling,
responding to symptoms, case studies, professional interaction,
health promotion, prescription reviews. (64 hours)
Experiential learning
A typical programme may include the following: consultant-led
ward rounds, general practitioner surgery visits, and pharmacy led
ward rounds. Students will also be directed to attend those seminars
held within the School that are relevant to this module. (20 hours)
Teaching and
learning strategies
A variety of teaching and learning strategies will be employed in the
delivery of this module, including formal lectures (64 hours),
seminars/practicals (64 hours), experiential learning (20 hours) and
guided study including, problem-based learning and resource-based
independent study (132 hours). Emphasis will be placed on
situational exercises with video recording for constructive feedback.
A structured guided study program will support the problemsolving approach. In this module the students' learning environment
will include the wards and clinics of Brighton Health Care Trust
hospitals and other approved institutions as well as general
practitioner surgeries. Students will also be directed to attend those
research seminars held within the School which are relevant to the
content of this module. There will be 120 hours of independent
study and assessment time.
Learning support
Texts
Human Physiology, Fox, S I, 6th Ed, Wm C Brown, 1999.
Review of Medical Physiology, 20th Ed, Ganong, W F, Appleton &
Lange, 2001.
Concepts of Human Anatomy and Physiology, 5th Ed, Van der
Graaf, K M, and Fox, S I, Wm C Brown, 1999.
Anatomy and Physiology, 5th Ed, Thibodeau, G A and Patton, K T,
Mosby, 2003.
Pharmacology, 4th Ed, Rang, H P, Dale, M M and Ritter, J M,
Churchill Livingstone, 1999.
Medical Pharmacology at a Glance, Neal, M J, 3rd Ed, Blackwell
Scientific Publications, 1997.
Human Pharmacology - Molecular to Clinical, 3rd Ed, Brody,T M, et
al, Mosby, 1998.
Human Pharmacology, Gard P R, Taylor and Francis, 2000.
Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Walker R and Edwards C (Ed),
3rd Edition, Churchill Livingstone, 2002.
Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine, Haslett, C, 19 th
Edition, Churchill Livingstone, 2002.
Clinical Evidence (Issue 8),Barton, S. (Ed), http://www.nelh.nhs.uk/
Drugs in Use: Clinical Case Studies for Pharmacists, Dodds, L, 2nd
Ed, Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
Clinical Biostatistics: an Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine,
Dunn, G and Everitt, B, Arnold, 1995.
Students will be directed towards current articles in the
pharmaceutical and medical press and encouraged to read widely to
instil an appreciation of evidence-based practice.
CAL packages
Drug Targets and Transduction Systems, Sewell, K, Coleman, I PL,
Morgan, R, Hollingsworth, M, Foster, R W and Walker, J, PharmaCAL-ogy, 1995
G-protein Receptors as Drug Targets, Sewell, K., Coleman, I.,
Morgan, R., Hollingsworth, M., Foster, B. and Walker, J., PharmCAL-ogy, 2002.
Synaptic Transmission in the Central Nervous System, Collins, G,
Dewhurst, D and Ullyott, R, Pharma-CAL-ogy, 1995
Pharmacology of Inflammation, Dewhurst, D, Brain, S, Freeman, P
and Ullyott, R, Pharma-CAL-ogy, 1995
Drug Metabolism, Skett, P., Cholerton, S., Kitteringham, N. and
McLellan, G., Pharma-CAL-ogy, 2002.
Dietary Effects on Drug Metabolism, McLellan, G., Skett, P.,
Cholerton, S. and Kitteringham, N. Pharma-CAL-ogy, 2002.
Alternative Therapies, Amwar, K. Jim, N., Huckbody, K. and I.
Hughes. Pharma-CAL-ogy, 2002.
CD-ROM
The Dynamic Human, Jacobsen, C, Mosby, 1996
Interactive Pharmacology, Dale, M M, Cunnane, T C, Purves, R and
Haylett, D G, Blackwell Science, 1995.
Assessment
The unit of study will be assessed by means of:
PY233 Coursework (10 credits): composed of the pharmacological,
clinical and professional elements of the coursework.
PY234 Examination (20 credits): 2 hours unseen examination,
containing MCQ and essay questions.
PY235 OSCE (10 credits): a professional skills examination that will
contribute up to 20% towards the final Professional Competency
assessment.
Brief description of module
This module examines humoral and neurohumoral control
mechanisms and the ways by which such mechanisms can be
modified by drugs thereby laying the foundation for the modules
“Therapeutic aspects of cardiovascular pharmacy and oncology” and
“Neurological and psychiatric pharmacy”. This module extends the
pathophysiological and pharmacological knowledge and
understanding acquired in earlier course-specific modules. The
module is designed to provide knowledge and skills underpinning
professional pharmacy practice at a basic level.
Area Examination Boards
MPharm Biological Sciences
Module authors
Dr M C Allen, Prof J G Davies, Dr P R Gard, Dr A MacAdam,
Dr M Yeoman
Semester offered
1 and 2
Site where delivered
Moulsecoomb and the Recognized Clinical Teaching Hospitals of the
University
Date of first approval
January 2003
Date of approval of this
version
September 2005
Version number
3
Course(s) for which module
is acceptable and status
in course
MPharm. Compulsory.
School home
Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
External examiner
Dr J McLay