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PHA506 - How Medicines Work: Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics

2026

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Pharmacy

Credit Points

Equivalent Units

Prerequisites

Incompatible

Coerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Unit Description

This unit will equip students with important skills for the role of a clinical pharmacist. You will use mathematic modelling to individual scenarios to develop confidence and accuracy in these dose calculations in the areas of drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenomics. The application of these concepts to individuals will guide appropriate dosage selection for a therapeutic response while minimising the risk of toxicity and adverse effects. Individual factors can explain variability in drug efficacy and response, these basic principles will be used to explain and predict individual pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic variability.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Accurately predict drug interactions, toxicity and therapeutic uses of medicines by applying the principles of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion in the human body.
2.	Accurately perform relevant pharmacokinetic calculations.
3.	Critically examine the relationship between drug concentration and drug effect to predict therapeutic outcomes.
4.	Analyse pharmacokinetic data to recommend dosing for a variety of patient profiles.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Weekly Workshop Discussion and Participation (10 x 500 words) (Hurdle)	20%	1,2,3,4
2.	Online Test 1 (20 minutes)	10%	1,2,3
3.	Case Study (1500 words)	35%	1,2,3,4
4.	Online Pharmacokinetic Calculations Test (75% or more required to pass the Calculations Test) (100 mins) (Hurdle)	P/F	1,2,3,4
5.	Final Exam (30 minutes)	35%	1,2,3

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2026	Semester 1	Internal	Casuarina Campus	OLR	View
2026	Semester 1	External	External Studies	OLR	View

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OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

Critical Dates

Important Dates for Students

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