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Drugs & Society a new introductory unit in pharmacology

Drugs & Society a new introductory unit in pharmacology. Elizabeth Davis Department of Pharmacology Monash University, Australia. Student cohort. Science (B.Sc.) Biomedical Science (B.Biomed.Sci.) Behavioural Neuroscience (B.BNSc.) Combined Science Degrees Science/Law Science/Economics

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Drugs & Society a new introductory unit in pharmacology

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  1. Drugs & Societya new introductory unit in pharmacology Elizabeth Davis Department of Pharmacology Monash University, Australia

  2. Student cohort • Science (B.Sc.) • Biomedical Science (B.Biomed.Sci.) • Behavioural Neuroscience (B.BNSc.) • Combined Science Degrees • Science/Law • Science/Economics • Science/Education

  3. Underlying aims • emphasize the relevance of pharmacology to everyday life • highlight controversial issues • encourage students to appreciate the lack of ‘black & white’

  4. What does the unit involve? • Lectures • Practicals (3 hands-on) • CAL Exercises / Web-based exercise • Assessment tasks (x2)

  5. Lecture topics

  6. Introduction to Drug Action (6 lectures) • Targets of drug action • Drug-receptor interactions • Principles of neurotransmission • Endogenous mediators • Factors influencing drug action • Drugs & Society (9 lectures) • Introduction • Foods and beverages as drugs • Herbal medicines • Over the counter medications • Drugs & Allergies • Drugs & Sex • Drugs & Infections • Drugs & cardiovascular disease • Chemicals as toxins

  7. Drugs of Abuse (9 lectures) • Psychological aspects of drug abuse • Social aspects of drug abuse • Opium & related drugs • Alcohol – the demon drink • Psychotropic drugs • Sedatives & hypnotics • Nicotine & cannabis • Abuse ofdrugs in sport • Drug Development (6 lectures) • Serendipity in drug discovery • Drugs from natural sources • Rational drug design • Clinical drug development • Pharmacoeconomics

  8. Assessment tasks

  9. 1. DRUGS IN THE MEDIA Assignment Part 1: • Create a “Drugs in the Media” portfolio • collect newspaper articles dealing with drug/chemical related issues • Part 2 • Analyse one of these articles • background • how is it reported? Is it accurate?

  10. 2. Student Debate Groups of 4-6 prepare arguments for and against topics Examples of topics: • Interest group (eg tobacco/alcohol industry) funding of drug research leads to biased outcomes • Pharmaceutical companies should be allowed direct-to-consumer marketing • Roadside sobriety tests should be performed for drugs other than alcohol • Generic substitution is best for the patient and society

  11. % responding % responding 5 4 3 2 1 5 4 3 2 1 % responding % responding 5 4 3 2 1 5 4 3 2 1 Student Feedback 5 4 3 2 1

  12. % responding 5 4 3 2 1 2000 : class of 100 students  66 went on to study pharmacology in 3rd year 2001 : class of 108 students  63 have so far gone on to study pharmacology in 3rd year

  13. Conclusions Drugs and Society provides an introduction to pharmacology that is of relevance to students with a range of backgrounds and a variety of intended career paths

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