Course Overview

SCI-302: Introduction to Pharmacology (4 Credits)
Program(s): CMR

COURSE CONSULTANTS

SEVENTH AND EIGHTH EDITIONS:

J. Russell May, PharmD, FASHP
Clinical Professor
Department of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy
University of Georgia
College of Pharmacy
Augusta, Georgia

Dianne B. Williams, PharmD, BCPS
Drug Information and Formulary Coordinator
MCG Health System
Assistant Clinical Professor
University of Georgia
College of Pharmacy
Augusta, Georgia

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 physicians consider when prescribing a new drug.

Course Description:
This course is one of four foundation courses required by CMR Institute for certification. It describes the basic principles of drug actions and interactions, including pharmacokinetics, factors that modify the drug response, and adverse reactions. The course also provides an overview of the therapeutic classes of drugs, along with general definitions of the subclasses of agents used to treat disorders of every body system.

Related Courses:
• All body system courses
• Contemporary Pharmacoeconomics
• Human Body, Pathology, and Treatment
• Impact of Drug Resistance on Antibiotic Therapy
• Nutrition: Wellness and Disease

Chapter Content:

Chapter 1: Basic Principles of Drug Actions and Interactions
	Basic Principles of Drug Actions Action versus Effect Local versus Systemic Action/Direct versus Indirect Effect Cellular Response to Drugs Mechanism of Action: How Drugs Do What They Do Pharmacokinetics Absorption Distributio Metabolism Elimination Drug Response Basic Principles of Drug Interactions
Chapter 2: Therapeutic Classes
	Anti-inflammatory Drugs Cardiovascular Drugs Central Nervous System (CNS) Drugs Dermatologic Drugs (Topicals) Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Pharmacology Antihistamines Hormones Gastrointestinal Drugs Miscellaneous Classes and Agents Nutrients and Nutritional Drugs Anti-infective Drugs Antibacterial Agents Antifungal Agents Antineoplastic Drugs

Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to describe basic principles of drug actions and interactions, including adverse reactions and factors modifying response; describe actions of drugs by therapeutic classes; and discuss the techniques by which drugs are administered to treat diseases.