Pathophysiology and Pharmacology

This subject provides an introduction to the pathologic basis of disease and drug treatment, and draws together knowledge gained from prerequisite subjects into the study of the aetiology and pathogenesis of disease. Students will be introduced to concepts of cellular injury, inflammation and necrosis. The fundamentals of pharmacology including targets of drug action, absorption and metabolism of drugs and drug development will also be detailed. This provides a platform for commencing the integrated study of pathophysiology, pathology and drug treatment of various disorders, beginning with pain, inflammation and neoplasia.

1. Explain the role of pathology in diagnosis and management of disease

2. Describe the major cellular adaptive mechanisms and responses, and recognise pain and inflammation as protective responses to injury

3. Describe the molecular basis of carcinogenesis

4. Interpret and apply the general terminology used in pharmacology

5. Compare and contrast the different mechanisms by which drugs act on the body at a cellular and molecular level 6. Describe the factors which determine the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs

7. Outline the process of drug development from the identification of lead compounds through clinical trials to public release

8. Describe the target mechanisms of drugs used to treat pain, inflammation and neoplasia