PM2MPAS2-Medicines in Health Care

Module Provider: Pharmacy
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites: PM1PCOL1 Principles of Drug Action
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: PM2PCOL1 Molecular Drug Targets
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Lizzy Lander
Email: e.r.lander@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module brings together biochemical and biological science knowledge to understand the use, mechanisms and selection of different medicines.

Expands from core principles of drug action and molecular drug targets modules and provides a more detailed discussion of drug pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutics. The module focusses on the gastrointestinal tract and liver and on drug delivery concepts including the different administration options for medicines (e.g. mouth) and how these affect drug use. The module will use case studies of exemplar drugs (e.g. proton pump inhibitors) to explore key concepts. Physicochemical concepts, and opportunities for the design and synthesis of known and novel drugs, will be illustrated throughout using relevant examples.

Throughout the module students will discuss the material (e.g. group work) in an inter-disciplinary environment to facilitate learning of content, and to gain a wider perspective of the core material. 

Aims:

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of how biochemical, biological and pharmacological science knowledge is used to create and administer medicines for an appropriate therapeutic response.

This module aims to provide students with a deeper understanding of how drugs act on specific molecular targets and pharmaceutical concepts with reference to the GI tract. The module aims to teach core pharmacological and pharmaceutical concepts as listed in the summary above using an integrated learning approach. It also allows students to research specific health conditions and consider the holistic care requirements for a patient.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Develop independent and team working skills and learn how to effectively train/educate others.


2. Use chemical, pharmaceutics, biological and pharmacological information to understand medicine development.


3. Calculate appropriate pharmacokinetic terms and use this to explain the appropriate use of a medicine.


4. Effectively communicate scientific concepts both written and in an oral presentation.


5. Discuss the molecular targets of common drugs used to treat diseases of the GI tract.


6. Discuss core science, aspects of pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutics in relation to drug delivery underpinning molecular drug targets in the GI tract


7. Discuss the different administration routes with emphasis on dosage forms for GI tract administration for systemic circulation of medicines


8. Describethe role of excipients in medicines and know how to ensure quality of ingredients in medicines and products 

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

Series of lectures and workshops (with problem-based learning) covering anatomy, physiology of GI tract, drug delivery via GI tract for local and systemic effects, and molecular drug targets in the GI tract and liver. To include:

• Anatomy, physiology of GI tract that impact on drug absorption; factors influence medicine design (pKa, log P, ionization state etc.), dosage forms related to the GI tract, including the various formulation and manufacturing aspects and introduction to modified release; local and systemic action.


• Pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutics introduced in context to drug delivery via the GI tract


• Routes of drug administration – for example oromucosal, tablets and spray formulations.


• Pathological conditions of the GIT: Impact of disease on GI tract; drug delivery and patient care to treat disease of GIT (e.g. crohn’s disease) and other organs.


• Elements of chemistry/drug design (e.g. antacid).


• The use of antibiotics and their impact on the GIT microflora and wider bodily systems.


• The design of medicines to treat specific example pathologies e.g. proton pump inhibitors to treat acid reflux.

Group and individual coursework assignments to allow further exploration and understanding of core content through:

• A Medicine Design project in which students will:


• Evaluate chemical, pharmacokinetics and pharmacological data to identify the best drug compound for a new medicine.


• Consider dosage form, drug administration and treatment in terms of an individual patient’s needs.


• A treatment of disease research task in which students will:

Research a pathology not covered in the core content (e.g. asthma or diabetes) and report to the class (in a presentation) to describe the condition and current treatment guidelines.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module will utilise various methods of learning (e.g. lecture, workshops, independent study, problem based learning) to support understanding and discussion of the core content. 

Supplementary information and reading lists will be provided by the lecturers and the available facilities for computer-aided literature searching for related material will enable students to improve independent-learning skills.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	16	20
Seminars			2
Practicals classes and workshops	8	10
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	5	5	5
Exam revision/preparation			18
Advance preparation for classes	11	5
Other	5	5
Preparation for tutorials	5	5
Preparation for presentations		10
Group study tasks	25	25
Carry-out research project	10	5
Total hours by term	85	90	25
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	40
Written assignment including essay	30
Set exercise	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

A 2-hour end of year examination.

The examination for this module will require a narrowly defined time window and is likely to be held in a dedicated exam venue.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Medicine design project (30% of module) which will include a written group task

Treatment of disease research task (30% of module) – develop and present a lecture (group) and supporting material (individual)

Formative assessment methods:

Students will have opportunities to discuss their medicine design project and disease research task with staff to receive informal feedback on their work. 

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:

An overall module mark of 40% will be required for MPAS Physicians Associate Studies students.

For other programmes please refer to your programme progression requirements

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment of coursework will be by resubmission of coursework or submission of equivalent pieces of work, as appropriate.  Reassessment of departmentally and university administered examinations will be by written examination, as appropriate.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  A wide variety of text books is available from the University library.  Students are not expected to purchase additional texts for this module

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  

4) Printing and binding:  There may be some printing costs linked to the coursework, although final submission will be electronic

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  

Last updated: 30 March 2023