Course Outline and Important Dates

Semester Overview

  • Location and Schedule:
    • South Campus: Monday Lecture 1-4 pm (On Campus, Room MH118 & Online - N101, DF01)
    • North Campus: Thursday Lecture 1-4 pm (On Campus, Room AF114)
  • Course Textbook: Pharmacology for Health Professionals, 6th Edition

Week 1: Introduction to Clinical Pharmacotherapy

  • Date: 3rd March
  • Key Topics:
    • Introduction to course terminology
    • Overview of clinical pharmacotherapy
  • Learning Outcomes (LO): LO1, LO3, LO4
  • Reading: Chapter 1 (pages 1-27)

Week 2: Principles of Pharmacokinetics I

  • Date: 10th March
  • Key Topics:
    • Absorption and Distribution
    • Cell Membrane dynamics
    • Concentration-Time Curves and Bioavailability
    • Bioequivalence and factors affecting drug formulation
    • Volume of Distribution and Loading Doses
    • Introduction to Bronchodilators & Corticosteroids
  • Learning Outcomes: LO2, LO3, LO4
  • Reading: Chapters 4, 5 (pages 82-90, 102, 104-106)

Week 3: Principles of Pharmacokinetics II

  • Date: 17th March
  • Key Topics:
    • Metabolism and Elimination processes
    • Metabolic pathways including Cytochrome P450
    • Concepts of Clearance, Half-life, and Steady State
    • Disease Context: Diabetes Mellitus
  • Learning Outcomes: LO2, LO3, LO4
  • Reading: Chapters 4, 5 (pages 92-95, 103, 107-109)

Week 4: Online Test One Preparation

  • Date: 24th March

Week 5: Molecular Drug Targets and Pharmacodynamics

  • Date: 31st March
  • Key Topics:
    • Understanding drug target interactions
    • Study of Molecular Drug Targets
    • Therapeutic Index and Clinical Analgesia
  • Learning Outcomes: LO2, LO3, LO4
  • Reading: Chapters 3, 19, 34 (pages 67-69, 410-414, 760-764)

Week 6: Human Factors and Genetics

  • Date: 7th April
  • Key Topics:
    • Adverse Drug Reactions & Interactions (ADRs)
    • Impact of Age, Gender, and Genetics on drug response
    • Discussion of Lipids, Antibiotics, Diuretics, and Analgesia
  • Learning Outcomes: LO2, LO3, LO4
  • Reading: Chapter 7, 12 (pages 124-127, 234-238)
  • Assessment 1: Due Thursday, 10th April

Weeks 7-8: Mid Semester Break and Feedback

  • Mid Semester Break: 14th - 21st April
  • Feedback and Preparation: Assessment 1 feedback and Assignment 2 preparation
  • Date: 28th April

Week 9: Ethical and Legal Considerations in Pharmacotherapy

  • Date: 5th May
  • Key Topics:
    • Ethical and legal aspects relating to pharmacotherapy
    • Overview of NZ specific laws including Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003)
    • Related legislation: Medicines Act (1981), Medsafe, Pharmac
  • Learning Outcomes: LO1
  • Reading: Chapter 2, course resources (pages 62-64, 52-55)

Week 10: Pharmacotherapeutics and the Environment

  • Date: 12th May
  • Key Topics:
    • Discussion on Antibiotics and Bacterial Resistance issues
  • Learning Outcomes: LO2, LO3, LO4
  • Reading: Chapter 44 (pages 945-962)
  • Assessment 2: Due Tuesday, 20th May

Week 11: Special Topic

  • Date: 26th May
  • Learning Outcomes: LO2, LO3, LO4
  • TBA

Week 12: Special Topic

  • Date: 2nd June
  • Learning Outcomes: LO2, LO3, LO4
  • TBA

Weeks 13-15: Study and Assessment Weeks

  • Dates: 9th - 23rd June
  • Assessment Due: Tuesday, 10th June