Learning Outcomes for the Level 6 International Diploma in Pharmacy and Pharmacology 360 Credits – Three Years:

Year 1: Foundational Knowledge

By the end of Year 1, learners will be able to:

Introduction to Pharmacy and Pharmacology

• Understand the role and scope of pharmacy and pharmacology within healthcare systems.
• Recognise key responsibilities of pharmacy professionals in patient care.
• Develop a foundational knowledge of medicines and their therapeutic uses.

Human Anatomy and Physiology

• Identify major body systems and their functions.
• Relate anatomical structures to physiological processes.
• Explain how body systems interact in health and disease.

Principles of Biochemistry

• Apply biochemical principles to drug action and metabolism.
• Understand macromolecules, enzymes, and metabolic pathways relevant to pharmacy.
• Analyse the biochemical basis of disease.

Fundamentals of Microbiology

• Recognise the role of microorganisms in health and disease.
• Explain the principles of infection control and antimicrobial therapy.
• Conduct basic microbiological analysis in a pharmacy context.

Basic Pharmaceutical Chemistry

• Understand fundamental chemical principles relevant to drug design.
• Apply concepts of bonding, reactions, and solubility to pharmaceutical science.
• Analyse simple drug molecules.

General Pharmacology

• Understand drug mechanisms, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
• Classify drugs based on pharmacological activity.
• Relate pharmacological concepts to therapeutic use.

Pharmaceutical Calculations

• Accurately perform essential pharmaceutical calculations.
• Apply dosage, concentration, and dilution principles in practice.
• Ensure safe and effective medicine preparation.

Introduction to Pathophysiology

• Identify causes and progression of common diseases.
• Explain how pathological processes impact drug therapy.
• Relate disease mechanisms to patient care needs.

Communication Skills in Healthcare

• Demonstrate effective communication with patients and healthcare professionals.
• Apply active listening, counselling, and interpersonal skills.
• Understand cultural and ethical considerations in communication.

Health and Safety in Pharmacy Practice

• Identify risks and hazards in pharmaceutical environments.
• Apply workplace safety standards and infection control practices.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety protocols.

Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms

• Understand different dosage forms and their characteristics.
• Analyse advantages and limitations of various delivery methods.
• Relate dosage forms to patient-specific needs.

Academic and Research Skills

• Develop academic writing and referencing skills.
• Understand basic research principles in pharmacy.
• Use critical thinking to evaluate sources and evidence.

Year 2: Intermediate Proficiency

By the end of Year 2, learners will be able to:

Organic and Medicinal Chemistry

• Understand the structure, function, and synthesis of drug molecules.
• Apply organic chemistry principles to drug discovery and design.
• Analyse chemical modifications to improve drug efficacy.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

• Understand how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolised, and excreted.
• Relate dose-response relationships to therapeutic effects.
• Apply pharmacokinetic models to clinical scenarios.

Advanced Pharmacology

• Explain mechanisms of action of major drug classes.
• Relate pharmacological effects to treatment of common diseases.
• Evaluate therapeutic and adverse effects of drugs.

Immunology and Biotechnology in Pharmacy

• Understand immune system function and its relevance to pharmacology.
• Analyse the role of biotechnology in drug development.
• Explain applications of vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and gene therapy.

Pharmaceutics and Drug Formulation

• Understand principles of drug formulation and delivery systems.
• Analyse excipients and their role in dosage forms.
• Evaluate methods to enhance bioavailability and stability.

Analytical Techniques in Pharmacy

• Apply spectroscopy, chromatography, and other analytical methods.
• Evaluate purity, quality, and safety of pharmaceutical products.
• Use analytical data to support quality assurance.

Pharmacognosy and Natural Products

• Identify medicinal plants and natural sources of drugs.
• Understand extraction and standardisation of natural products.
• Evaluate the therapeutic role of herbal medicines.

Clinical Biochemistry

• Interpret biochemical tests relevant to patient care.
• Relate clinical biochemistry to diagnosis and treatment.
• Evaluate the role of biomarkers in disease management.

Hospital and Community Pharmacy Practice

• Understand the organisation and function of hospital and community pharmacies.
• Apply dispensing, counselling, and clinical support skills.
• Evaluate pharmacy’s role in improving patient outcomes.

Drug Legislation and Ethics

• Understand legal frameworks regulating pharmacy practice.
• Apply ethical principles in decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with drug safety and professional standards.

Epidemiology and Public Health

• Understand principles of epidemiology and disease prevention.
• Evaluate pharmacy’s role in public health campaigns.
• Apply epidemiological data to healthcare decision-making.

Research Methods in Pharmacy

• Understand research design and methodology.
• Apply qualitative and quantitative methods in pharmacy research.
• Develop skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

Year 3: Advanced Specialization and Application

By the end of Year 3, learners will be able to:

Advanced Pharmacotherapy

• Apply evidence-based pharmacotherapy to complex clinical cases.
• Analyse drug interactions and adverse effects in treatment plans.
• Develop skills for optimising therapeutic outcomes.

Clinical Pharmacy and Patient Care

• Provide patient-centred care through clinical pharmacy practice.
• Apply clinical guidelines in medication management.
• Monitor and evaluate treatment outcomes in real-world settings.

Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology

• Understand toxic effects of drugs and chemicals.
• Analyse safety pharmacology data to predict adverse outcomes.
• Apply risk assessment to pharmaceutical practice.

Advanced Pharmaceutics and Novel Drug Delivery Systems

• Understand innovative approaches to drug delivery.
• Evaluate controlled-release, transdermal, and nanotechnology systems.
• Analyse how advanced formulations improve therapeutic outcomes.

Biotechnology and Biopharmaceuticals

• Understand development and production of biopharmaceuticals.
• Analyse applications of recombinant proteins and therapeutic enzymes.
• Evaluate regulatory challenges of biotechnology drugs.

Advanced Pharmaceutical Analysis

• Apply advanced analytical techniques for quality control.
• Validate analytical methods for regulatory compliance.
• Evaluate pharmaceutical data for clinical and industrial use.

Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance

• Understand global pharmaceutical regulations and standards.
• Apply quality assurance practices in drug development.
• Evaluate regulatory submissions and compliance processes.

Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety

• Understand post-marketing surveillance and drug monitoring.
• Identify and report adverse drug reactions.
• Apply strategies for improving medication safety.

Global Trends in Pharmacy and Pharmacology

• Analyse global healthcare challenges and innovations.
• Evaluate the impact of digital health and telepharmacy.
• Understand international developments in drug research.

Professional Practice and Leadership in Pharmacy

• Apply leadership and management principles in healthcare.
• Develop decision-making, teamwork, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Understand professional accountability and lifelong learning.

Research Project / Dissertation

• Design and conduct an independent research project.
• Apply scientific methods to solve a pharmacy-related problem.
• Present findings in a professional written and oral format.

Continuing Professional Development and Career Skills

• Develop lifelong learning skills for professional growth.
• Apply CPD strategies to enhance pharmacy practice.
• Build career development plans for future progression.