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PHA508 - How Medicines Work: Drug Design, Formulation and Compounding

2026

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Pharmacy

Credit Points

Equivalent Units

Prerequisites

Incompatible

Coerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Unit Description

Students will cover the drug development pipeline from lead discovery to clinical trials in this unit. They will explore the concepts around regulatory affairs, patenting, and the registration and marketing process in the context of new drug discovery. Many factors impact the formulation of liquid, solid, aerosol, transdermal, semi-solid and controlled release formulations, and they will apply an understanding of these factors to the design of medicines. Students will also undertake simple compounding of formulations during the compulsory intensive. This compounding will be conducted within the legislative and professional framework to ensure optimum patient safety and care.

The 5 day compulsory intensive will be on the Casuarina Campus.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Critically reflect on the drug development pathway from discovery to market and apply the Code of Good Manufacturing to the process.
2.	Discuss how the physical and chemical properties of a drug can influence its formulation and stability
3.	Aseptically compound, reconstitute and dispense a variety of medicines.
4.	Consistently perform relevant pharmaceutical calculations to ensure compounded medicines are safe and effective.
5.	Critically evaluate the role of innovative formulations for targeted drug delivery.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Weekly Workshop Discussion and Participation (4 x 500 words) (Hurdle)	P/F	1,2,4,5'
2.	Online Test (4 x 10 mins)	10%	1,2,4,5'
3.	Laboratory Reports ( 5 x 500 words)	30%	2,3,4,5
4.	Compounded Product Practical Task (2 hours) (Hurdle)	40%	1,3,4
5.	Online Test 2 (40 mins)	20%	1,2,4,5

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2026	INT-6	Internal	Casuarina Campus	ITV,OLR	View
2026	INT-6	External	External Studies	ITV,OLR	View

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ITV: This unit will be delivered/part-delivered intensively in this teaching period rather than over the full semester.

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

Fee Information:
Fees and Payments
Student Services and Amenities Fees
2026 Domestic Unit Fees (PDF)
2025 Incidental Fees (PDF)