PHR1021 · How medicines work 1: Physical chemistry

Overview

This unit provides an introduction to how drugs become medicines and explores factors that influence the absorption of drugs following oral administration. You will study the physicochemical properties of molecules that determine dissolution, solubility, stability and permeability in order to explain how these factors affect oral drug absorption. In addition, the barrier properties of the small intestine, and how they contribute to, or limit, the oral absorption of drugs will be discussed as well as the formulation properties of commonly-administered oral formulations (tablets and capsules).

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

In-semester assessment: 60%, Final examination: 40%; This unit contains one or more hurdle requirements that you must achieve to be able to pass the unit. The consequence of not achieving a hurdle requirement is the failure of the unit, regardless of the total marks you achieve.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Describe the impact that pKa and pH have on the ionisation state of a compound, and on its solubility, permeability and stability
2. Explain how chemical and thermodynamic processes influence solubility and dissolution
3. Discuss the key physicochemical properties of molecules and physiological factors that affect oral absorption
4. Predict the oral absorption characteristics of a molecule based on its key physicochemical properties
5. Describe and apply the general principles concerning the formulation of tablets and capsules
6. Explain why medicines are administered by different routes based on clinical need and molecular properties
7. Effectively communicate (orally and written) aspects of how medicines work
8. Demonstrate proficiency in fundamental pharmaceutical calculations

Workload

• Seventy-two hours of independent study • Twenty-four hours of pre-learning activities (up to 2 hours per week) • Twenty-four hours of applied sessions (2 hours a week) • Twenty-four hours of small group classes including assessment (2 hours per week)

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.