510628 - APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY AND OTC DRUGS (A-L)

courses

ID:

510628

Duration (hours):

48

CFU:

SSD:

FARMACOLOGIA

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Primo Semestre (29/09/2025 - 23/01/2026)

Course Objectives

Starting from a specific biochemical and pharmacological background, the course provides a detailed picture of the complex and highly interrelated activities in the development of drugs and biologics, from discovery to a successful commercialization of novel therapeutics. The course also highlights the fundamental role of the pharmacological research in the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, and the role of the pharmacist as a referee in the correct drug use. The course provides an overview of the most representative antimicrobial and antitumor pharmacological agents, non-prescription drugs and related information for a correct drug usage, encouraging the student to critically study and review the patient package inserts. The relevant role of the pharmacist for both the disease prevention and health of each patient, represents a cornerstone of this course. Expected learning goals: - To know what is Research and Development of a Drug; - To improve knowledge of pharmacology, in particular some drugs and related pathologies (treatment and/or prevention); - To be able to provide patients with explanations on both OTC and drugs requiring medical prescriptions, and to do counseling for OTC drugs and small pathologies; - To contribute to improve patients’ adherence, to understand the physicians’ choice and prescriptions, to be able to understand relevant healthy-related debates; - To be knowledgeable for the future practical internship in pharmacy and future profession.

Course Prerequisites

A good basic knowledge in anatomy, physiology, biology, biochemistry and pharmacology, is required.

Teaching Methods

The course is based on lectures provided by the Professor, on suggested books and, when possible, by seminars held by invited experts. All the PDF presentations are available for students on the moodle KIRO site. Description, explanation and discussion of practical cases in Pharmacy will be used along the course to promote students’ active learning, critical thinking and participation. Students are encouraged to take a glance at those topics and patient package inserts not treated during the teaching hours. Students are encouraged to actively participate in a practice exercise (a role-playing) on the drug package insert and drug dispensing and counseling at the end of the course. Attending the course is strongly encouraged. Tutoring is available on days and times agreed between Tutor and classes. Moreover, for students with specific needs, who cannot attend teaching activities in person and who have applied for Inclusive teaching modality, adequate didactic material will be available for fruitful independent study. If requested, self-learning can be supported by tutoring or supplementary teaching activities, and by dedicated meetings, including online, with time flexibility depending on needs.

Assessment Methods

Grades will be based upon written pre-examination and oral exam on the program of the course. The examination consists of different types of questions, e.g., multiple-choice tests, to-be-completed sentences, open questions on representative drugs discussed during teaching sessions (where name of the molecule, dosage, pharmaceutical form will be provided). Knowledge of the pharmacological class and therapeutic use of the drug, short comments on specific questions and/or features (i.e. side effects, interactions) and/or practical recommendations, will be required. The use of the appropriate language will also be evaluated. Students scoring at least 18/30 in the written exam have access to the oral exam. Students failing the oral exam must repeat the written examination.

Texts

The main text is represented by didactic slides provided by the teacher. Suggested books for a general overview and/or a thorough examination of the subject: - Whalen - Lerchenfeldt - Giordano – Le basi della farmacologia, 2025, Zanichelli, IV ed. ISBN: 9788808999535 (paper volume); e-ISBN: 9788808632142 (Ebook) - Govoni - Spampinato - Navarra - AAVV Farmacologia, 2024, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, II ed. ISBN: 9788808620453 (paper volume, Ebook) - Katzung, Vanderah - Farmacologia generale e clinica, 2024, Casa Editrice Piccin, XII ed. ISBN: 978-8829935208 (paper volume) - Rossi, Cuomo, Riccardi – Farmacologia - Principi di base e applicazioni terapeutiche, 2023, Ed. Minerva Medica, V ed. ISBN: 9788855321778 (paper volume) - Goodman and Gilman – Le basi farmacologiche della terapia, 2019, Zanichelli, XIII ed. ISBN: 9788808820563 (paper volume); e-ISBN: 9788808469588 (Ebook) - Rang, Dale, Ritter, Flower, Henderson - Farmacologia, 2016, Edra Masson, VIII ed. ISBN: 9788821440397 (paper volume); e-ISBN: 9788821440403 (Ebook) Alternatively, any equivalent textbook for the school of Pharmacy and/or Medicine approved by the Professor.

Insights of basic pharmacological and biopharmaceutical mechanisms involved in drug action; an outline of the experimental pharmacology in preclinical studies; trials from clinical phases 1-3 to pharmacovigilance. Drug response and main factors of individual variability, with a special focus on gender, age, pregnancy and breastfeeding. An outline of the generic drugs with a resultant impact on sales and marketing strategies. The patient package insert. General principles for an adequate administration and management of the chemotherapy. Antibiotics targeting the cell-wall, protein synthesis, nucleic acids; sulphamidics and other antimicrobial agents. Principles of drug-resistance and the new antibiotics. Main antiviral agents (such as anti-flu drugs, therapies for herpes simplex, HIV, hepatitis). Traditional and novel antitumor drugs. An outline of the pharmaceutical market of non-prescription drugs in Italy, by focusing on the consumer’s behavior and the fundamental role of the pharmacist in the distribution of these medicinal products and in counseling. Categories and dosage of the main non-prescription drugs: topical and systemic NSAIDs and anti-histamines; products for small infections (i.e. skin, eye, uro-gynecological); drugs for the symptomatic treatment of respiratory and gastrointestinal pathologies (i.e. flu, constipation, diarrhea). (Throughout the course) Drugs for head lice infestation. Suntan products.

Course Language

Italian

More information

Along the course, a Tutor will support the students by reviews and exercises; all the activities will be organized in agreement with the Professor, and carried out in presence or online according to the availability of classroom. The tutor will also be available to listen to students willing to repeat topics of their choice in meetings open to all. Further support will be assured by the Professor in case of specific categories of Students (workers, learning problems or pathologies) in agreement with the University rules.