Medical Pharmacology (3rd year)
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with an advanced knowledge of:
i) the drug mechanism of action at molecular, cellular and organ/apparatus level;
ii) the main pharmacokinetic parameters and their clinical significance;
iii) factors influencing the drug response in relation with the pharmacologic interactions and individual features;
iv) the available drugs for different therapeutic areas, their side-effects and pharmacologic interactions;
v) the criteria for the rational choice among different drugs available for a specific therapeutic area.
i) the drug mechanism of action at molecular, cellular and organ/apparatus level;
ii) the main pharmacokinetic parameters and their clinical significance;
iii) factors influencing the drug response in relation with the pharmacologic interactions and individual features;
iv) the available drugs for different therapeutic areas, their side-effects and pharmacologic interactions;
v) the criteria for the rational choice among different drugs available for a specific therapeutic area.
Expected learning outcomes
Students:
a) know the fundamental mechanisms of drug action;
b) are able to apply the main pharmacokinetic parameters in the clinical practice;
c) are able to evaluate the influence of individual factors and pharmacological interactions in the therapy;
d) know the available drugs for different therapeutic areas, their potential side-effects and interactions in the polytherapy regimen;
e) are able to make a rational choice among different drugs available for a certain pharmacological therapy.
a) know the fundamental mechanisms of drug action;
b) are able to apply the main pharmacokinetic parameters in the clinical practice;
c) are able to evaluate the influence of individual factors and pharmacological interactions in the therapy;
d) know the available drugs for different therapeutic areas, their potential side-effects and interactions in the polytherapy regimen;
e) are able to make a rational choice among different drugs available for a certain pharmacological therapy.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame alla fine del gruppo
Assessment result: Inserire codice AF
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
The lessons of the first semester from 21 September to 4 November 2020 were held in mixed mode:
in the classroom with a limited number of students, who have booked using their unified e-mail credentials through the "lessonsUnimi" app (https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso -degree / follow ...) and at the same time synchronously through the "Teams platform" for students not present; the lessons were also video-recorded to allow students unable for documented needs to follow them in sync.
From 5 November 2020 to 15 January 2021, face-to-face lessons have been suspended as per the Rector's Decree. Teaching continued remotely: the lessons were delivered through the Microsoft Teams platform, mostly in synchrony, almost always respecting the calendars approved for the current semester.
The lessons of the second semester will start in early March 2021 and will probably take place in mixed mode, with booking through the dedicated app, following the rules adopted in the first semester: in safety, in compliance with hygiene rules, with the use of PPE and observing the spacing.
NB for any further information, consult the unimi.it website: (Home Studying Attending a degree course Following the course of study Lesson times)
in the classroom with a limited number of students, who have booked using their unified e-mail credentials through the "lessonsUnimi" app (https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso -degree / follow ...) and at the same time synchronously through the "Teams platform" for students not present; the lessons were also video-recorded to allow students unable for documented needs to follow them in sync.
From 5 November 2020 to 15 January 2021, face-to-face lessons have been suspended as per the Rector's Decree. Teaching continued remotely: the lessons were delivered through the Microsoft Teams platform, mostly in synchrony, almost always respecting the calendars approved for the current semester.
The lessons of the second semester will start in early March 2021 and will probably take place in mixed mode, with booking through the dedicated app, following the rules adopted in the first semester: in safety, in compliance with hygiene rules, with the use of PPE and observing the spacing.
NB for any further information, consult the unimi.it website: (Home Studying Attending a degree course Following the course of study Lesson times)
Course syllabus
GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY (3 th year)
· General principle and drug molecular mechanisms
· Variability in the drug response
· Quantitative aspects of drug action, dose/response curve, potency, efficacy and therapeutic index
· Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
· Routes of administration for drugs and pharmaceutical formulations
· Biotransport mechanisms
· Adsorption and interference factors
· Drug distribution, binding to tissue components
· Drug biotransformation, P450 enzyme inducers and inhibitors
· Drug elimination
· Bioavailability, volume of distribution, half-life, clearance: clinical significance
· Drug interactions
· Adverse drug reactions
· Genetic basis of variability in drug response
· Personalized medicine
· Generic drugs and bioequivalence
· Biologics and biosimilars
· Preclinical and clinical drug development
· Clinical trials: design of the study, features, end points
· Ethics committee, regulatory authorities and law sources
· Pharmacovigilance and adverse events monitoring
· Autonomous nervous system
· General principle and drug molecular mechanisms
· Variability in the drug response
· Quantitative aspects of drug action, dose/response curve, potency, efficacy and therapeutic index
· Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
· Routes of administration for drugs and pharmaceutical formulations
· Biotransport mechanisms
· Adsorption and interference factors
· Drug distribution, binding to tissue components
· Drug biotransformation, P450 enzyme inducers and inhibitors
· Drug elimination
· Bioavailability, volume of distribution, half-life, clearance: clinical significance
· Drug interactions
· Adverse drug reactions
· Genetic basis of variability in drug response
· Personalized medicine
· Generic drugs and bioequivalence
· Biologics and biosimilars
· Preclinical and clinical drug development
· Clinical trials: design of the study, features, end points
· Ethics committee, regulatory authorities and law sources
· Pharmacovigilance and adverse events monitoring
· Autonomous nervous system
Prerequisites for admission
The student should have acquired Biochemistry, Physiology, and Pathology basic knowledge to understand at molecular, cellular and systemic levels the mechanism of action, therapeutic indications and potential side-effects of drugs.
Teaching methods
The program will be carried out through lectures (10CFU) with the help of teaching material (slides)
Teaching Resources
Rang HP, Dale MM, Ritter JM, Flower RJ, Henderson G, "Farmacologia", Casa Editrice Elsevier
Goodman & Gilman, "Le basi farmacologiche della terapia", McGraw Hill, Farmacologia generale e clinica Bertram G. Katzung VIII edizione italiana
Goodman & Gilman, "Le basi farmacologiche della terapia", McGraw Hill, Farmacologia generale e clinica Bertram G. Katzung VIII edizione italiana
Assessment methods and Criteria
The course is divided into three academic years (3th, 4th and 5th); the student can choose among the following examination modalities:
1) At the end of each year, there will be an in itinere partial test and the final mark will be the weighted (based on the credits of each part) average of the marks acquired in the three exams. The exam consists:
· A written exam of 30 multiple-choice questions (only one correct answer) on the programme of the year. Each correct answer gives one point: the threshold of 20 out of 30 correct answers will give access to the oral examination.
· An oral exam on the programme of the year will allow to evaluate the student's exposure abilities in the description of the therapeutic rationale, mechanism of action, side-effects and potential interactions of the drugs.
2) Alternatively, the student may choose a single final examination on the entire 3-years programme, at the end of the 5th year which consists:
· A written exam of 60 multiple-choice questions (only one correct answer) in 1 hour time. Each correct answer will give one point: 40 out of 60 correct answers will give access to the oral examination.
· The oral exam will allow to evaluate the student's exposure abilities in the description of the therapeutic rationale, mechanism of action, side-effects and potential interactions of the drugs.
Passing the test will result in a mark expressed in thirtieths.
1) At the end of each year, there will be an in itinere partial test and the final mark will be the weighted (based on the credits of each part) average of the marks acquired in the three exams. The exam consists:
· A written exam of 30 multiple-choice questions (only one correct answer) on the programme of the year. Each correct answer gives one point: the threshold of 20 out of 30 correct answers will give access to the oral examination.
· An oral exam on the programme of the year will allow to evaluate the student's exposure abilities in the description of the therapeutic rationale, mechanism of action, side-effects and potential interactions of the drugs.
2) Alternatively, the student may choose a single final examination on the entire 3-years programme, at the end of the 5th year which consists:
· A written exam of 60 multiple-choice questions (only one correct answer) in 1 hour time. Each correct answer will give one point: 40 out of 60 correct answers will give access to the oral examination.
· The oral exam will allow to evaluate the student's exposure abilities in the description of the therapeutic rationale, mechanism of action, side-effects and potential interactions of the drugs.
Passing the test will result in a mark expressed in thirtieths.
Professor(s)
Reception:
Friday 10:00-12:30 a.m.
Department of Health Sciences, Via Antonio di Rudinì 8