CMR Institute | Education for Pharmaceutical Representatives, Biotech, & Medical Device Industries

Introduction to Pharmacology

This course is one of four foundation courses that CMR Institute requires for certification. It describes the basic principles of drug actions, including pharmacokinetics, factors that modify the drug response, adverse reactions, and drug interactions. The course also provides an overview of the primary therapeutic categories of drugs. General definitions of the relevant classes and subclasses of drugs are put in the context of the various body systems to which they apply. Therapeutic categories that apply broadly to all body systems are discussed in greater detail. These include nutritional drugs, anti-infective drugs, and antineoplastic drugs.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to describe basic principles of drug actions and explain pharmacokinetic processes, including the variables that impact these processes. Students will be able to rationalize why individuals may respond differently to drugs, identify the factors associated with adverse reactions, and differentiate among vaious types of drug interactions. Through a high-level introduction of various drug classes (discussed in more depth in specific body system courses), students will be able to distinguish among primary therapeutic categories. They will be able to describe in more depth three categories of drugs (nutritional, anti-infective, and antineoplastic) that have particularly broad application across the body systems.

Who Should Take This Course

Sales representatives, managers, and others who are interested in obtaining a basic knowledge of pharmacology and its applications.

Career Applications/Benefits

Those who prescribe, dispense, or administer drugs and those who provide supportive care for patients taking medications need to know how drugs act on the body and interact with each other. These professionals must weigh the therapeutic benefit of a drug against potential risks, such as adverse effects and drug interactions. As the number of medications continues to rise, the need for a strong foundation in pharmacology becomes even more important to every member of the healthcare community. This course will benefit those working for pharmaceutical companies and in other areas of the healthcare environment. Information provided in this course will allow sales representatives and others to communicate effectively and knowledgeably with customers and clinicians regarding drugs and their effects. In addition, representatives and others who take this course will gain an understanding of the various factors that clinicians consider when prescribing a new drug.