PM3PCOL2-Societal Impact of Pharmacology

Module Provider: Pharmacy
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites: PM2PCOL1 Molecular Drug Targets and PM2PCOL2 Drug Design and Delivery and PM2PCOL3 Mathematical Modelling for Pharmacology
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: PM3PCOL1 Research Project and PM3PCOL3 Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Leanne Black
Email: l.e.j.black@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Module focussing on the ethical principles of research, including clinical trials (design, implementation, and reporting) and the principles of reduction, refinement, and replacement in the use of animals in research. The module will also cover how pharmacology relates to social challenges and public health; the role of the pharmaceutical industry; the impact of pharmacology on patient care and regulation with respect to the safe and effective use of medicines; the pharmacoeconomics of drug provision; and an appreciation of the value of public engagement and outreach.

Aims:

This module aims to provide students with a deeper understanding of how pharmacology plays a major role in today’s society, in terms of economic impact and health and well-being The module will focus on the ethical questions that this input raises including the use of animals, pharmacoeconomic questions, and safe testing and use of pharmacological products to contribute to public health. The module will also consider aspects of scientific integrity, following ethical working practices and developing a willingness to engage with developments across science, the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students will be able to: 

• Discuss and debate the ethical use of animals in research


• Discuss and debate principles of reduction, refinement, and replacement in the use of animals in research 


• Discuss and debate the ethical issues around clinical trials


• Discuss and debate the pharmacoeconomics and regulation of drug provision 


• Discuss and debate the ethical use of animals in research 


• Discuss and debate how pharmacology relates to social challenges and public health


• Understand the impact of pharmacology on patient care with respect to the safe and effective use of medicines and vaccines


• Understand the safe testing of drugs/vaccines and their contribution to public health


• Understand the value of public engagement and outreach


• Understand the societal impact of the pharmaceutical industry

Additional outcomes:

Working in small groups during debates and engaging in a multidisciplinary team-based working will:

• Improve team-working skills, such as leadership, motivating and working with others, and contribute to identifying the learning and development needs of team members through coaching and feedback


• Communicate effectively within a team and communicate findings to a wider audience.


• Improve self-directed learning.

Outline content:

• The ethical use of animals in research 


• Reduction, refinement, and replacement in the use of animals in research 


• How pharmacology relates to social challenges and public health 


• The impact of pharmacology on patient care with respect to the safe and effective use of medicines 


• An appreciation of the value of public engagement and outreach. 


• Personal development in terms of development of the skills for lifelong learning e.g. independence, time management, organisation and planning, initiative, knowledge transfer; and the ability to self-assess performance will also be covered. 


• Study skills in relation to pharmacology 


• Safe testing and use of pharmacological products to contribute to public health


• The societal impact of the pharmaceutical industry 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The course content will be provided through a mixture of formal lectures, interactive tutorial sessions and seminars.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Seminars		10
Tutorials		10
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		15
Wider reading (directed)		10
Group study tasks		15
Essay preparation		15
Reflection		15
Total hours by term	0	100	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Set exercise	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Written assignment based on an ethical/societal question (50%)

Assessment of presentation and communication skills during a debate around an ethical/societal issue  (50%)

Formative assessment methods:

Formative assessment and associated feedback form a large proportion of the module, with students being provided with tutorials. Formative assessment is provided through compulsory small group tutorials, instructor-, self-, and peer-led assessment and feedback. 

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

Students must obtain an overall module mark of 40% and obtain at least 40% in the final examination.

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment arrangements are in accordance with university policy. Failed coursework may be reassessed by an alternative piece of work, before or during the August examination period.?

Final year students are not eligible to re-sit this module unless they have failed their degree programme overall. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  

4) Printing and binding:  

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  

Last updated: 22 September 2022