Jordan University of Science and Technology
Faculty of Pharmacy
Department of clinical pharmacy
Second Semester 2009
Course Syllabus
Course InformationCourse Title / Introduction to therapeutics
Course Code / Pharm 344
Prerequisites / Pharm 341
Course Website
Instructor / Dr. Sayer Al-Azzam
Office Location / P2 level 4
Office Phone # / 7201000 Ext. 23441
Office Hours / TBA
E-mail /
Teaching Assistant(s)
Course Description
This course corresponds to particular disease states (central nervous system (CNS)), summarizing the key characteristics and concerns with the associated drugs. At the core of the learning experience are patient cases in which students assume the role of the pharmacist. Each case presents a new patient and a new prescription to fill. Students must first assess the completeness of the patient profile and then evaluate possible complications.
Textbook
Title / Patient care management lab
Author(s) / Richard Finkel
Publisher
Year / 2002
Edition / 2nd Edition
Book Website
Other references / Pharmacotherapy handbook by Terry Schwinghammer ( 7th edition)
Assessment
Assessment / Expected Due Date / Percentage
First Exam / 9/4/2009 / 30%
Second Exam / TBA / 30%
Final Exam / 40%
Course Objectives / Percentage
1. Increase student's knowledge of the clinical use, drug-drug interactions and the most common side effects of CNS drugs / 30%
2. Assessment the completeness of the patient profile and then evaluate possible complications / 15%
3. Provide drug information services / 15%
4. Learn how to counsel patients based on their prescription orders and drug and social histories. / 25%
5. Discuss clinical pharmacy services / 10%
6. Discuss age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics / 5%
Teaching & Learning Methods
1. Class lectures and lecture notes are designed to achieve the course objectives.
2. You should read the assigned chapters before class and participate in class and do whatever it takes for you to grasp this material. Ask questions. Ask lots of questions.
3. You are responsible for all material covered in the class.
4. Please communicate any concerns or issues either in class or at my office hours.
Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Related Objective(s) / Reference(s)
1 / Describe the clinical use, drug-drug interactions and the most common side effects of CNS drugs / Pharmacotherapy handbook
52,55,67-72
2 / Read and evaluate prescriptions of CNS drugs.
Identify medication errors in prescriptions of CNS drugs. / Patient care management lab
9,10
3 / Be able to perform searches using databases to answer specific medical information questions
4 / Counsel patients based on their prescription orders and drug and social histories / Patient care management lab
9,10
5 / The student must recognize the current clinical pharmacy services / Handouts
6 / Identify age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics / Handouts
Useful Resources
1. Pharmacotherapy Casebook: A Patient-Focused Approach by Terry Schwinghammer. 7 edition (July 9, 2008)
2. British Pharmacopoeia 2009 online
3. Clinical Pharmacology online
4. Lexi-Comp Online
5. Martindale and The Merck Index online
6. UpToDate
7. AHFS Drug Information
8. Drug Facts and Comparisons
9. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference
10. Mosby’s DRUG Consult
11. Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews: Pharmacology, 4th Edition (Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews Series) by Richard A Harvey. Fourth Edition edition (July 1, 2008)
Course Content
Week / Topics / Chapter in Textbook (handouts)
1 / Introduction
2-11 / Clinical pharmacology of Mental health diseases:
Alzheimer disease
Anxiety
Insomnia
Major depressive disorder
Bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia
Epilepsy
Parkinson disease / Pharmacotherapy handbook
52,55,67-72
12 / Geriatrics considerations / handouts
13-14 / Clinical pharmacy services / handouts
15-16 / Other related topics / handouts
Additional Notes
1- Exams
· The format for the exams is generally (but NOT always) MCQs and essay questions.
· Grades will not be given out via e-mail.
2- Makeup Exams
· Makeup exams should not be given unless there is a valid excuse.
· Arrangements to take an exam at a time different than the one scheduled MUST be made prior to the scheduled exam time.
3- Cheating
· The commitment of the acts of any form of cheating and deceit is dishonest and will not be tolerated. Standard JUST policy will be applied.
4- Attendance
· Excellent attendance is expected.
· JUST policy requires the faculty member to assign ZERO grades (35) if a student misses 10% of the classes that are not excused.
5- Workload
· Average workload student should expect to spend is 3 hours per week.