PM3A-Therapeutics and Medicines Optimisation D

Module Provider: Pharmacy
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites: PM2A2 Therapeutics and medicines optimisation A2: Molecules and Medicines and PM2B Therapeutics and Medicines Optimisation B: A Journey Through the GI Tract and PM2C2 Therapeutics and medicines optimisation C2: Therapeutics and Patient care and PM2D Delivering Pharmacy Services
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: PM3B Therapeutics and Medicines Optimisation E and PM3C Delivering Pharmacy Services 2
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Angela Bithell
Email: a.bithell@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module brings into context material taught in Part 2 modules involving analytical and formulation science and therapeutics. It initially focuses teaching around the therapeutic area of immunology and infections (building on microbiology and infections material taught in Part 1 and 2), allergy, immunodeficiency and autoimmune disease. The module then introduces medical conditions related to reproductive health (which is linked to endocrinology teaching in PM3B), the skin/dermatology, eye, ear, nose and throat. Each topic includes aspects of physiology, pathology, disease management and prevention, medicine design and patient management. In addition, tissue engineering for skin and eye conditions is introduced. Medicines design is considered for local administration and systemic delivery via the administration routes relevant to the systems covered here (e.g. topical administration through the skin, eyes and ears and vaginal administration of medicines), using appropriate examples that link to PM3B and PM3C. Basic First Aid including CPR and use of defibrillators is also covered.

Aims:

This module aims to build upon the core science and practice concepts taught in parts 1 and 2, encouraging students to apply them to a range of new medical conditions and pharmaceutical challenges. It also introduces more advanced concepts in pharmacy-related sciences and patient management.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Core module “systems”: Immunology & Infections; Dermatology; Eye, Ear and Nose; Reproductive system & Men’s and Women’s Health.

Students will be able to:

• Discuss the anatomy and physiology of the core “systems” listed above


• Discuss the aetiology, pathology, diagnosis and prevention of medical conditions affecting these “systems”


• Discuss the non-drug management of these medical conditions, including complementary medicine where appropriate


• Discuss the pharmaceutical management of these medical conditions, including:
  
  
  
  • Drug treatment options and their place in therapy (including natural products where relevant)
  
  
  • The evidence available and its utilisation to support recommendations for disease management
  
  
  • Drug chemistry, discovery, design and delivery of drug treatment options (including formulations, biopharmaceutics and devices for injectable, ocular, otic, nasal, vaginal, topical and transdermal delivery)
  
  
  • Pharmacology (including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics) of drugs used in treatment
  
  
  • Monitoring for safety and efficacy of treatment and action that should be taken in view of results obtained
  
  
  • Patient centred care and medicines optimisation: tailoring treatment to the individual, personalised medicine, effectof disease on the patient, health beliefs & behaviours, promoting adherence and self-care, providing medicines-related information with a knowledge of health policies
  
  
  • The role of the pharmacist, including how they may work with public groups to improve outcomes
  
  
  • How pharmacists may work with other healthcare professionals to achieve effective patient care
  
  
  • Public health aspects, where appropriate
  
  
  
  


• Identify and accurately record patient data relevant to pharmaceutical care


• Discuss and demonstrate how the science of pharmacy is applied in the design and development of medicines and devices towards the packaging and storage of, and safe and rational use of medicines


• Prepare patient information leaflets for the instruction of safe and effective use of medicines


• Promote public health through the preparation and presentation of public health promotionmaterials


• Communicate effectively and support colleagues within a team and demonstrate leadership skills while working in a team and present information to a wider audience


• Work effectively as part of a team, reflecting on both personal input and group dynamics, enhancing collaborative and multidisciplinary working.


• Manage project work, maintain appropriate records demonstrating professional practices.

Additional outcomes:
In addition to the assessed outcomes, this module develops students' skills towards additional learning outcomes that are summatively assessed in other Part 3 modules or later in the programme. These are skills relating to health and safety, quality management of medicines and maintaining records and communicating with patients (e.g. patient counselling, responding to symptoms).

Outline content:

Introduction to module

• Puts the module in context with Part 3 teaching and explains the key concepts covered within the module

Immunology

• Introduction to the immune system


• Atopy / hypersensitivity: food allergies, hayfever, adverse drug reactions


• Autoimmune diseases: Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, Coeliac disease, Type 1 diabetes mellitus, Grave’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, psoriasis


• Immunodeficiency and immunocompromisation: HIV/AIDs


• Immunosuppressants


• Infection

Bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic conditions

• Vaccination


• Infection control


• Antimicrobial therapy (including advanced synthesis and manufacture of penicillins); antimicrobial resistance & antimicrobial stewardship


• Infections in core systems (across PM3A and PM3B as well as core systems introduced in Part 2)


• Dermatology

The dermatological / integumentary system

• Diseases affecting the skin: tinea infections (nappy rash, athlete’s foot, ringworm, “jock itch”), cellulitis, cold sores, warts, calluses, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, acne vulgaris, rosacea, scabies, lice, boils, alopecia, hyper/hypo-pigmentation, burns, impetigo, nail infections (onychomycosis), sunburn, skin cancer


• Adverse drug reactions affecting the skin


• Responding to symptoms – minor ailments affecting the skin


• Wounds and wound healing, dressings


• Formulation of medicines for topical dermal and transdermal delivery (also linked to men’s and women’s health – e.g. testosterone gel, HRT patch)


• Tissue engineering – skin substitutes, cellular and non-cellular therapy

Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat

Diseases of the ear, eye, nose and throat typically encountered by pharmacists:

• Ear (e.g. otitis media, otitis externa, ear wax), drugs causing ototoxicity


• Eye disorders (e.g. blepharitis, conjunctivitis, glaucoma, dry eyes), S/E of drugs on the eye – blurred vision, change in pigmentation etc.issues with contact lenses.


• Nose: congestion - hayfever & cough/cold, polyps


• Throat: pharyngitis, tonsillitis


• Responding to symptoms – minor ailments affecting the eyes & ears


• Formulation of medicines for ocular, otic and nasal delivery


• Tissue engineering – ocular surface stem cell therapy


• Reproductive, Men’s and Women’s Health

Development of the reproductive system, puberty and the menstrual cycle

• Fertility and pregnancy. Contraception and contraceptive devices


• Women’s health: menstrual cycle disorders including dysmenorrhoea, menorrhagia, menopause, endometriosis, infertility, vaginal atrophy, contraceptives, vaginal thrush, cystitis, bacterial vaginosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, breast cancer


• Formulation of medicines for vaginal delivery


• Men’s health: impotence/erectile dysfunction (including as S/E of drugs), infertility, benign prostatic hyperplasia, testicular cancer, male-pattern baldness.


• Sexual health: sexually transmitted infections – Chlamydia, syphilis, genital herpes, gonorrhoea, human papillomavirus, trichomoniasis, link to HIV/AIDS


• Genitourinary health: urinary tract infection, incontinence, urinary retention

Practical classes:

Practical classes form part of the Part 3 integrated practical series that link across all three Part 3 modules.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching and learning methods are through lectures, workshops, practical classes, problem-based learning and directed private study. There are two additional workshop-style sessions linked to supporting students with their personal and academic development (PAD) portfolio and independent study time allocated to this activity. Three two-hour tutorial/feedback sessions are also timetabled to support students in their preparation for assessments. Student learning in this module will be supported by a Symposium to be held in spring term around the core systems covered throughout Parts 2 and 3.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	36	30
Seminars	4
Tutorials	2	2	2
Practicals classes and workshops	28	28
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	22	17	7
Wider reading (directed)	10	10
Exam revision/preparation			45
Peer assisted learning	3
Preparation for tutorials	1	1	1
Preparation for presentations		10
Completion of formative assessment tasks	5	10
Revision and preparation	40	40
Group study tasks	20	20
Reflection	2	2	2
Total hours by term	173	170	57
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	30
Written assignment including essay	10
Project output other than dissertation	10
Class test administered by School	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

There will be a three-hour synoptic examination, which will assess content of PM3A and PM3C and include, where relevant, concepts covered in PM3B and previous years.

This will be worth 30% of the module mark.

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:

Students will be provided with tutorials and on-line assessments to help them prepare for the final examination. The January assessment (in-course examination) will cover material taught in PM3A in the Autumn term, whilst the April assessment (in-course examination) will cover material taught in the Spring term. They will also include relevant content from PM3C. Both in-course examinations will be in the form of MCQs and each will be 1 hour 15 minutes long and worth 25% of the module marks (50% in total). The written assignment is linked with the infections PBL, which is an individual activity assessed in the form of a written report worth 10% of the module marks. There will also be a Medicines Design 2 project, which is a group activity and worth 10% of the module marks.

Formative assessment methods:

Each term will have a minimum of one formatively assessed activity. In Autumn term there is an Immune System-based workshop on anaphylaxis. In Spring term there will be formative assessment of presentations that form part of the Core Systems Symposium.

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:
The student shall normally be required to achieve an overall weighted average of at least 40% for the module .

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment of coursework will be by resubmission of coursework or submission of equivalent pieces of work, as appropriate.  Reassessment of departmentally administered examinations (MCQs) or the synoptic examination will be by MCQ or written examination, as appropriate.  Reassessment will be conducted in August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1. Required text books: The University library has a large number of text books and specialised reading material. There are also an excellent number of e-books available to the students. There might be core text books, which the students wish to purchase at varying costs.


2. Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: None but students must be appropriately dressed for laboratory-based practical sessions.


3. Printing and binding: There are no specific printing costs as work is submitted electronically through Blackboard. Should students wish to print teaching materials and currently library costs for printing are 5p a sheet (black &white).


4. Printing and binding: 


5. Computers and devices with a particular specification: 


6. Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 30 March 2023