PM2PY2-Clinical Therapeutics 1

Module Provider: Pharmacy
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites: PM1A Fundamentals of Physiology and PM1B Medicines Discovery, Design, Development and Delivery and PM1C Introduction to Professionalism and Practice
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: PM2PY1 Professional Practice 2 and PM2PY3 Clinical Therapeutics 2
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Elena Kabova
Email: e.kabova@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module introduces students to the therapeutic themes of respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases and integrates the science into clinical practice. Students build on knowledge gained in Part 1 modules that introduce cell biology and physiological systems and drug design and formulation. The module focuses on the anatomy, pharmacology, toxicology, infections and therapeutics of respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases, such as ear, eye, nose and throat (EENT) disorders, asthma, peptic ulcer and inflammatory bowel disease. Students learn about the pathology of diseases that affect the EENT, lungs and gastrointestinal tract and how they are managed therapeutically, how medicines are formulated and delivered to the eyes, ears, nose, lungs and gastrointestinal tract (e.g. drops, inhalers, nebulisers, tablets, capsules, oral solutions/suspensions etc.) including pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutic principles, and pharmaceutical care and patient management issues. 

Aims:

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the fundamental concepts of human respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases and related therapeutics with strong integration of physiology themes taught during the first year. The module also provides the basis for the therapeutics modules taught elsewhere in the programme. To achieve that, the core science concepts detailed in the summary above will be taught using an appropriate range of teaching activities to allow integration of the disciplines that link to the therapeutic topics of the module.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the end of the module the student will be expected to:

1. Describe the basic principles of pharmacology encompassing pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and toxicology.


2. Describe the anatomy, physiology, aetiology, diagnosis and therapeutics of the respiratory, including EENT, and gastrointestinal diseases.


3. Discuss the pharmaceutical management of the conditions incorporating all relevant aspects of teaching including pharmacology.


4. Discuss the different administration routes and formulations for the EENT, lung and gastrointestinal systems.


5. Undertake a case-based discussion whilst considering the psychological, physiological and physical impact of prescribing decisions on patients.


6. Work effectively as part of a team to undertake and deliver a medicine design project.

Additional outcomes:

Students should be able to:

• Recognise the role of nutrition in health management towards promoting healthy lifestyles.


• Manage project work and maintain appropriate records demonstrating professional practice.


• Discuss how pharmacists work with other healthcare professionals to achieve effective patient care.


• Consider sustainability in their medicine and device choices whilst recognising that medicines optimisation is also an important sustainability tool that complements patient care.


• Discuss the proper disposal of medicines to reduce environmental pollution and the impact on biodiversity. 

Outline content:

This module introduces the therapeutics of respiratory, EENT, and gastrointestinal diseases. An appropriate range of lectures, tutorials, practical classes, group working and guided individual study will be used to achieve the learning outcomes and also integrate with those of previous modules, helping to contextualise relevance to the practice of pharmacy.

Content that will be covered includes: concepts of pharmacology including molecular targets and toxicology; respiratory disease and EENT disorders, and therapeutics including anatomy, aetiology and pathology of the major diseases associated with this system; gastrointestinal disease and therapeutics including aetiology and pathology of the major diseases associated with this system, including (common) infections; drug discovery and formulation related to these disease groups; and pharmacokinetics, biopharmaceutics and pharmaceutical materials. The module also contains the Medicine Design project, which is a fully integrated group project where each group is provided with characteristics of an active pharmaceutical ingredient that impact on the chemical, formulation, and pharmacological properties of the medicine, as well as potentially impacting on patient behaviour towards taking the medicine. The group must select the most suitable compound, develop it using the most appropriate dosage form and understand the clinical governance surrounding use of the new product.

Global context:

This module will develop core knowledge and show how this knowledge is relevant to the role of a pharmacist. The student will need to develop independent learning skills within this module to progress into Part 3 but should then be suitably equipped to tackle the rigour of an MPharm degree. The topics covered here will link into all modules of Parts 2 and 3.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The learning outcomes will be met through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, group work, directed private study, self-directed learning, as well as practical-based laboratory classes. Some of the lectures or tutorials will utilise a case-based learning-like approach: activities will adopt characteristics of workshops where students will engage in formative activities e.g., group work, in-class discussion. Appropriate supplementary information and reading lists will be provided and facilities f or computer-aided literature searching for additional relevant materials will enable students to improve their own learning skills. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	68
Seminars	2
Tutorials	10
Practicals classes and workshops	2
Supervised time in studio/workshop	16
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	137
Wider reading (directed)	40
Advance preparation for classes	10
Preparation for tutorials	10
Preparation of practical report	15
Completion of formative assessment tasks	5
Revision and preparation	45	3	2
Group study tasks	30
Reflection	5
Total hours by term	395	3	2
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	70
Project output other than dissertation	20
Set exercise	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

In the summer exam period:

Written examination - (70% of module) - 2 hrs

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1. Medicine Design poster (project output other than dissertation) (20% of module)


2. Case-based discussion (set exercise) (10% of module)

Formative assessment methods:

Formative assessment is largely based on coursework and self-directed assessment and will reinforce each of the learning outcomes of the module. These will be staff, peer, or self- assessed and will include written and online assignments. These assessments will provide students with feedback on their achievement of the learning outcomes and prepare them for the summative assessments.

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:

All summative assessments must be passed at 40%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination (written paper) in August.  Failed coursework assessment will be reassessed by an alternative piece of work, before or during the August examination period.

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: 25 September 2023