Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences

MEDSCI 722 - Clinical Pharmacology

15 Points

Semester 2
Grafton

Description

The disposition and action of medicines in humans of all ages will be explored, as well as adverse reactions, effects of pregnancy, medicine classification, and evaluation of clinical trials. Emphasis is placed on understanding the sources of variability of medicines and the use of target concentration intervention.

Course outline

This course deals with:

Clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
Disease progress and variability in drug response
Adverse drug reactions
Writing of scientific articles and clinical trial evaluation
Clinical trial desig
Analysis.

Drug disposition and action in neonates, children and in pregnancy will also be considered. Emphasis is placed on the use of medicines in humans and application of clinical pharmacology to drug development.

This is an advanced course in pharmacology and it is assumed that students taking the course are familiar with the basic facts of drug disposition, pharmacokinetics and mechanisms of drug action covered in MEDSCI 301, MEDSCI 302 and MEDSCI 303. The paper will cover clinical pharmacology in special populations; toxicology and adverse drug reactions; the effects of disease progression on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; the evaluation of clinical trials and individualization of treatment. There will be a particular focus on the use of clinical pharmacology in drug development.

Course materials

Course materials are provided electronically via the lecturer's website.

Course Director

SCHOOLS, DEPARTMENTS AND CENTRES