Introductory Pharmacology Week 1
Ann MacLeod, RN BscN MPH
Rm 386 ph 749-5530 ext 1296
amacleod@flemingc.on.ca
Objectives
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Describe major events in the history of pharmacology
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List possible sources of drugs and drug information
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Describe drug legislation in Canada
Pharmacology - Definition
Deals with the study of drugs and their actions on living organisms
Pharmacology over history
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Aboriginal use : birch bark in tea has ASA
1800’s: “tonic” alcohol based
1950’s: antibiotics
1970’s: chemo
1980’s: antivirals
1990’s: genetic engineering
Sources of Drugs
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Plants: poppies  morphine
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Animals: cows and pigs  pancreatic extracts  insulin
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minerals: iron
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Synthetic and Semisynthetic: most drugs now
Drug Nomenclature
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Chemical Name
Generic Name: acetaminophen
 common name used in any country
 lower case
Trade or Brand Name: Tylenol, Tempra
 may have trademark beside it
 capitalized
Classifications
Morphine
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Therapeutic use: narcotic analgesic
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Physiologic action: opiate (as it fits into the opiate receptor on brain and spinal
cord nerve cells, thus blocking the transmission of the sensory message)
Classifications cont’d
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Prescription vs Over the Counter (OTC)
 e.g. morphine vs acetaminophen
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Legal vs Recreational
Sources of Drug Information
CPS Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties
1st
Green Brand and Generic Name index
Pink Classifications
Grey Pictures
Purple information about classifications, and special
consideration
2nd Light blue patient info by the trade name
3rd
White Detailed drug info by trade and generic name
alphabetically
Nursing Drug Guide
 Pink Drug Classification information explains easily How it works
(Pharmacodynamics)
 Drug Name preparations
 Classification
 Therapeutic Actions
 Indications
 Contra-indications
 Dosages
 Pharmacokinetics
 Adverse effects
 Interactions
 Nursing Considerations
 Patient education
Drug Legislation in Canada
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Food and Drug Act 1985
 http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/F-27/index.html Department of Justice Canada
or Health Canada
 basically states that physicians, vets, and dentists must be licensed
practitioners to write a prescription drug that needs to be reviewed by
health Canada for safe use manufacturing and distribution
Food and Drug Regulations 1953, 1954, 1979 further describe research safety
regs
Drug Legislation in Canada cont’d
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Narcotic Control Act 1961, 1978, 1985
 controlled prescription, dosages, distribution and record keeping for
narcotics
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act 1995 repeal the Narcotic Control Act
and Food and Drugs Acts
 http://webhome.idirect.com/~schapman/dcic/schedule.htm#FDA
New Drug Review Process
 http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpb-dgps/therapeut/zfiles/english/factsht/fact_drug_e.html
 any substances made for use in the diagnosis treatment mitigation or
prevention of a disease, disorder, abnormal physical state, restoring
correcting organic functions, disinfection
 health products such as vitamins minerals supplements and herbal
products also regulated drugs
New Drug Review Process
 Effect on animals results submitted to Health Canada
 efficacy and toxicity dose studies on animals
 drug trial in humans
 clinical drug trials prove that therapeutic value outweighs risks
 New drug submission to Health Canada which approves manufacturing
 Post Approval Surveillance