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Unit of study_

PHAR3825: Pharmaceutical Skills and Dispensing B

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The Pharmaceutical Skills component consists of Drug Profile Practicals. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the physicochemical properties of drugs, methods of analysing drugs and how the physicochemical properties determine the pharmacology.The Dispensing (Prescription consultation) component will provide an introduction to dispensing software programs and give students a familiarity with dispensing and prescription consultations of the top 50 Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medications (by script volume). Workshops will provide an opportunity to research the medications and information that needs to be gathered from a patient or clarified by the prescriber to then be followed by dispensing that medication and consulting the patient. Students will be assessed on legal requirement of scheduled medicines and prescriptions, interpretation of prescribers' intention, accuracy of dispensing and relevant counselling of the dispensed medication.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PHAR3825
Academic unit Pharmacy
Credit points 4
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
(BIOL1XX8 or BIOL1XX3) and (CHEM1611 or CHEM11X2 or CHEM19X2 or CHEM1904) and (CHEM1612 or CHEM11X1 or CHEM19X1 or CHEM1903) and (BIOL1XX7 or MBLG1XX1) and PHAR1811 and PHAR1812 and PHAR1821 and PHAR1822 and PCOL2605 and PHAR2811 and PHAR2812 and PHAR2813 and PHAR2821 and PHAR2822 and PHAR2823 and PHSI2601
Corequisites
? 
PHAR3826 and PHAR3827 and PHAR3820 and PHAR3100
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jessica Pace, jessica.pace@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Lifeng Kang, lifeng.kang@sydney.edu.au
Thomas Grewal, thomas.grewal@sydney.edu.au
Thomas Balle, thomas.balle@sydney.edu.au
Rebecca Roubin, rebecca.roubin@sydney.edu.au
Jessica Pace, jessica.pace@sydney.edu.au
Andrew Bartlett, andrew.bartlett@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Daniela Eassey, daniela.eassey@sydney.edu.au
Lily Pham, lily.pham@sydney.edu.au
Kiplin Patanwala, kiplin.patanwala@sydney.edu.au
Daisy Cheung, daisy.cheung@sydney.edu.au
Ailsa Bailey, ailsa.bailey@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task group assignment Drug profile: written report
Written task
0% Multiple weeks 30-40 pages including references
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation hurdle task group assignment Drug profile: oral presentation
Oral presentation
0% Multiple weeks 5 minutes per student
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Participation hurdle task Tutorial participation and pre-work
Participation
0% Ongoing 1 hour/week
Outcomes assessed: LO7
Small continuous assessment hurdle task Products dispensed/dispensing portfolio
Portfolio
0% Ongoing 2 hours/fortnight
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Small continuous assessment hurdle task Prescription consultation and counselling
Competency assessment
0% Ongoing 2 hours/fortnight
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO7 LO8
Small continuous assessment hurdle task Drug profile: analytical results
Competency assessment
0% Ongoing 3 hours/fortnight
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Forensics Exam
combination of MCQs and SAQs
0% Week 13 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO9 LO10
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Tutorial participation and pre-work: Students are expected to participate in all tutorials in a professional manner. Pre-work for each tutorial generally includes completing relevant clinical information about the medications that will be dispensed in the laboratory.
  • Products dispensed/dispensing portfolio: During every dispensing laboratory, students are expected to dispense 4 to 6 prescriptions through the relevant dispensing software. Each product will be assessed for accuracy and uploaded to CANVAS within the lab. Students are expected to self-assess all their dispensed products and peer assess other students.
  • Prescription consultation and counselling: In the dispensing laboratory, students are expected to self and peer assess their prescription consultation for all prescriptions provided in the lab. These consultation sessions should be recorded and uploaded into CANVAS within the lab.
  • Drug profile: oral presentation: Groups will be assessed based on speech, results, understanding of the results, and relevance to action and clinical application.
  • Drug profile: written report and peer assessment: A written report must be submitted online. A page at the start should be included that states each student’s involvement and which section of the report they were involved in. 
  • Peer assessment (relative performance factor) will be applied to moderate the groupwork marks of both the oral presentation and group report. Students will take part in a formative peer assessment conducted in week 5/6, and a summative peer assessment in week 11/12. Peer assessment will be completed online to obtain a factor between 0-1, and will be according to an agreed set of criteria established by groups in session 1. Students must achieve a relative performance factor of over 0.75 in order to satisfy competency in group work.
  • Drug Profile: Lab skills – During the laboratory, students will be allocated to different experimental tasks (e.g. UV vis spectra,  HPLC) to assay unknown substances. In addition NMR, MS, and IR will be provided for analysis if needed.
  • Forensics Exam: The Forensics exam will be delivered on  campus and consist of questions relating to the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods legislation in NSW and/or pharmacy relevant law. Students must achieve a minimum mark of 65% to pass the unit. Students who do not achieve this minimum mark will be offered the opportunity to attempt an additional assessment in the formal exam period.
  • Skill based asseessment: Students must demonstrate competency in each assessment components of the unit as outlined in the assessment table to satisfy the requirements of the unit of study. A fail in compulsory assessment will result in an overall fail for this unit of study. Students must be marked satisfactory for all labels completed from schedules 2 and above and all patient counselling sessions in  schedules 4 and 5.  An additional opportunity to gain compentency will be offered.
  • Repeating students: Exemption from components (tutorials, workshops etc) for students repeating PHAR3825 may be granted if competency has been demonstrated in the most recent attempt.
  • Supplementary Yr assessments: Students may be offered re-assessment of compulsory-to-pass assessments as described in the relevant year rule in the RE1 or RE2 formal exam periods. For more information see canvas.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

Result name

Mark range

Description

SR – Satisfied Requirements 

No mark   When you meet the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, for units which are marked as either Satisfied requirements or Failed requirements. 

FR -Failed Requirements 

No mark

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, for units which are marked as either Satisfied requirements or Failed requirements. 

 

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Non submission of peer assessment will result in a factor of zero (0) being applied to the non submitter's group work mark.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Dispensing and patient counselling Practical (20 hr) LO5 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Drug Profile Science laboratory (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Drug Profile workshop Workshop (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6
Forensics Lecture and tutorial (20 hr) LO9 LO10
Independent Study Independent study (50 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 01 Introduction: drug profile and prescription consultation Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: In accordance with the Bachelor of Pharmacy and Pharmacy management course resolutions on Attendance Requirements, students must attend a minimum of 85% tutorials/ labs/ workshops to satisfy attendance requirements for this unit of study. For more information see the current handbook.

If a tutorial/ lab/workshop is missed due to illness or misadventure, students are to submit a special consideration application along with supporting documentation. 

Students arriving more than 10 minutes after the commencement of the tutorial/ lab/ workshop will be marked as absent. Students swapping a class without prior approval from the UoS co-ordinator will be marked as absent.

Students are encouraged to bring their own personal computers during the prescription dispensing and counselling and Drug Profile Practical sessions.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 4 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 80-100 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library Reading List, available on Canvas.

  • Australian Medicines Handbook (current edition)
  • Therapeutic Guidelines
  • Clarkes Medicinal chemistry

The Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (APF25) must be purchased.

 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate a working understanding of the fundamental concepts and techniques of chemistry necessary for understanding drug delivery, drug action and therapeutics
  • LO2. apply appropriate numeracy skills to the solution of pharmacy problems
  • LO3. deal with the concept of uncertainty - devising alternatives which take account of qualifying, affording and constraining variables
  • LO4. critically examine scientific evidence, both quantitative and qualitative, in order to arrive at evidence-based conclusions
  • LO5. Communicate appropriately and effectively with both lay and professional audience and profession.
  • LO6. Demonstrate effective teamwork capabilities.
  • LO7. provide prescription medicines and appropriate advice and counselling
  • LO8. maximise patient safety through QUM, and minimise and manage medicine error
  • LO9. Demonstrate a working understanding of the legislation surrounding the supply of scheduled medicines in NSW and the practice of pharmacy.
  • LO10. Apply legal, ethical and clinical reasoning to manage medication related problems.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
3.1.a. applying relevant underpinning knowledge
5.4. demonstrating skills in research and inquiry, including
5.4.a. formulating questions
5.4.b. identifying and critically appraising relevant source materials
5.4.c. undertaking relevant investigations, where appropriate
LO2
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
3.12. consistently making accurate arithmetic calculations relating to health care
3.14. dispensing medicines safely and accurately in accordance with current legislation, scope of practice, PharmBA Guidelines and other relevant jurisdictional requirements to optimise patient outcomes
LO3
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
5.3. demonstrating awareness of the inherent complexity, ambiguity and uncertainty of contemporary and future professional practice
LO4
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
5.4.b. identifying and critically appraising relevant source materials
5.4.c. undertaking relevant investigations, where appropriate
5.4.d. drawing conclusions by synthesising the results of research and inquiry activities
5.4.e. reporting and disseminating the outcomes appropriately
LO5
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
2.1.a. demonstrating appropriately tailored verbal, written and non-verbal communication
2.1.c. demonstrating awareness of and sensitivity to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and/or Māori history, communication styles and community protocols
2.1.d. demonstrating appropriate communication and interpersonal behaviours
LO6
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
2.3. contributing to the interprofessional collaborative health care team in order to optimise patient outcomes by
2.4. collaborating with patients, carers and other clients in shared decision-making by
LO7
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
2.1. communicating appropriately and effectively with a socially and culturally diverse range of people in a manner which inspires confidence and trust by
2.1.a. demonstrating appropriately tailored verbal, written and non-verbal communication
2.1.b. engaging with all persons in a respectful, culturally appropriate, compassionate, responsive and empathetic manner
2.1.d. demonstrating appropriate communication and interpersonal behaviours
2.2. documenting, communicating and recording relevant information, findings, decisions, recommendations and other information accurately and concisely, taking due account of privacy and confidentiality
3.17. providing appropriate tailored counselling, information and education to enable safe and effective medication, disease state and lifestyle management
3.5. demonstrating the delivery of person-centred care including
3.5.a. respecting the personal characteristics, rights, preferences, values, beliefs, needs and diversity of patients, carers and other persons
3.5.b. maintaining privacy and confidentiality in interactions with patients, carers and other persons
3.5.c. optimising as far as is practicable the physical environment in which care takes place
3.5.e. ensuring that patients, carers and other persons are provided with sufficient information and advice to enable them to consider options and give informed consent where appropriate
3.6. obtaining relevant health, medical and medication information from patients, carers and other clients
3.7. assessing current health, medical and medication histories and profiles of patients
LO8
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
3.14. dispensing medicines safely and accurately in accordance with current legislation, scope of practice, PharmBA Guidelines and other relevant jurisdictional requirements to optimise patient outcomes
3.16. demonstrating awareness of the appropriate conditions for secure and safe storage and distribution of medications to ensure stability and efficacy
3.17. providing appropriate tailored counselling, information and education to enable safe and effective medication, disease state and lifestyle management
LO9
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
1.4. practising legally by
1.4.a. demonstrating contemporary knowledge and application of legal requirements relating to community and hospital pharmacy practice within their jurisdiction
1.4.b. demonstrating awareness of the processes for maintaining contemporary familiarity with key legislative instruments
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
1.1. promoting both the best interests and safety of patients and the public
1.4. practising legally by
1.5. practising ethically and with integrity by
3.1. formulating appropriate and effective actions and recommendations which support safe, rational and cost-effective use of medicines and other healthcare options and optimise socially accountable person-centred care by
3.2. making and prioritising recommendations to manage health, medical and medication needs of patients, including both pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies, based on the Quality Use of Medicines Framework and the best available evidence
3.3. prescribing medications in accordance with current jurisdiction-specific legislation, scope of practice and PharmBA Guidelines

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Not applicable

Work, health and safety

Required materials: Protective Lab coat and safety glasses are required for laboratory sessions.

While working within the dispensing laboratory, all students must wear a clean white lab coat and wear shoes which completely cover the feet (no sandals or thongs are permitted).  No shorts are permitted

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.