The course develops through the six themes, the first three being Structure and Function of the Body, Drug Structure, Disposition and Action, and Professional Practice, which come together in the final three themes, Comprehensive Care, Inquiry and Innovation and Professional Experience respectively. This course will develop the relevant practical and analytical skills you require for pharmacy practice, as well as your generic skills such as oral and written communication, critical thinking, inquiry, learning for life, numeracy and information literacy and leadership.
A. Structure and Function of the Body (How the Body Works)
- These studies will provide you with the foundational understanding and knowledge of the human body, including how cells, molecules and organs ensure proper functioning of the body. This will include studies of anatomy, physiology and biochemistry relevant to pharmacists. You will be able to predict the outcome of cell and organ dysfunction, as well as effectively communicate aspects of how the body works.
B. Drug Structure, Disposition, and Action (How Medicines Work)
- You will learn the important aspects for a molecule to become a medicine, and how medicines produce their effects. This will include studies of medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics relevant to pharmacists. These studies will equip you with fundamental and applied knowledge required to understand and assess pre-formulation, formulation, manufacturing and packaging of pharmaceutical products. This includes the understanding and application of how medicines get absorbed, distributed and eliminated from the body and mechanisms and time-course of drug response in the body.
C. Professional Practice (What Pharmacists Do)
- These studies will equip you with the sociocultural context in which the pharmacist and the client operate, social and health practice issues, ethical, legal context of pharmacy, relevant professional and social values, attitudes and behaviours necessary for practice. You will develop the communication and practical skills to apply the knowledge and skills you have gained to promote and contribute to the quality use of medicines and to the health of the community.
D. Comprehensive care
- Through these studies you will acquire knowledge about diseases and disorders and their management. You will develop an understanding and application of the relationship between pathophysiology and the rational design and clinical use of drugs in the management of various health conditions. You will gain and apply the knowledge and critical thinking skills in the enabling sciences, pharmaceutics and pharmacy practice to optimise pharmacotherapy in clinical practice.
E. Inquiry and Innovation
- These studies will build upon problem solving and innovative thinking skills developed in previous units. You will apply these skills to plan and conduct a project, think critically, and explore innovative solutions in a laboratory, clinical, social or business environment.
F. Professional Experience
- Embedded practice experiences during Stage 1 will prepare you to achieve the necessary competencies to enter the preregistration period. This will include 12 weeks in a variety of clinical settings to develop and give context for your skill development.
- Once you enter Stage 2, you will undertake the Pharmacy Board of Australia required pre-registration year including the National Alliance for Pharmacy Education Intern Training Program (ITP) accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council. You will develop your skills in the workplace, focusing on the competencies required to practice as a registered pharmacist. You will also complete the Monash University Pharmacy Intern Foundation Program (IFP) that recognises additional professional knowledge and skills gained whilst working in a Monash credentialed training site.
- In order to enrol in the Intern Training Program and Intern Foundation Program, you must have arranged to undertake your internship under the supervision of a preceptor approved by the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
