Principal methods of intervention

Course goals

This course focuses on the fundamental principles of pharmacological treatment in therapeutic care for both animals and humans.

Application Objectives 

The student is able to:

• apply the basic concepts of pharmacodynamics to explain how medicines influence physiological regulatory circuits at the cellular, organ and system level.
• apply differences in affinity, efficacy and agonist/antagonist behaviour to explain pharmacodynamic effects within straightforward case studies.
• interpret concentration–binding curves and concentration–effect curves, and apply pharmacodynamic parameters (such as Emax, EC50, ED50, KD, tau, IC50 and Ki) within straightforward case studies.
• explain the effects of (prolonged) use of and abrupt discontinuation of medicines on the basis of changes at receptor level within straightforward case studies.
• analyse changes in plasma concentrations of a medicine via different routes of administration and establish optimal dosing regimens based on pharmacokinetic parameters.
• evaluate the influence of hepatic and renal impairment, sex and ethnic differences, and drug interactions on plasma concentrations following multiple oral doses, and calculate adjusted dosing regimens accordingly.
• identify the regularities, factors and pharmacokinetic parameters that describe plasma concentrations of a medicine, explain patient characteristics and physiological influences on the pharmacokinetic behaviour of drugs, and apply the general principles of absorption, distribution and elimination in an integrated manner to plasma concentrations of a drug.
• evaluate dosing regimens using a medicines reference resource.
• explain differences between routes of administration and dosage forms, and relate these to the absorption and action of medicines within straightforward case studies.
• assess the stability of a medicine on the basis of literature and/or calculations, and propose a suitable primary packaging with justification.
• propose a justified formulation for a medicine and analyse critical steps in the manufacturing process.
• apply and verify the (regulatory) requirements for a medicine using in-process and final quality controls.

Research Skills 

The student is able to:

• design an appropriate analytical method to determine the drug content of a medicine based on its composition.
• assess the reliability of analytical results, perform calculations to determine whether a medicine meets quality requirements, and report the findings in a scientific report.

Communication Skills 

The student is able to:

• conduct a structured, patient-centred consultation in which relevant information is gathered, a professional relationship is established, and information is communicated clearly in accessible language.

Content

As a (veterinary) doctor or pharmacist, you will be involved on a daily basis in the use of medicines across diverse patient groups. It is therefore essential to understand how medicines work, how they can be administered safely and effectively, and how individual patient characteristics influence the action and dosing of medicines. The course Principles of Intervention and Therapy lays the foundation for responsible prescribing, minimising side effects and tailoring treatments to individual patients. By developing insight into how medicines affect the body and how they are correctly formulated and administered, you build the knowledge and skills needed to make a professional contribution to healthcare in (veterinary) medicine and pharmacy.

In this course, you explore the basic concepts of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics in depth. You learn to apply these parameters in clinical and practical case studies: establishing optimal dosing regimens, evaluating the influence of individual patient characteristics, hepatic and renal impairment, and drug interactions, and substantiating the need for gradual tapering when discontinuing maintenance therapy. You also explore different routes of administration and the formulation and stability of medicines, and learn to design analytical methods to determine drug content. You critically process and analyse experimental data and report your findings in a scientific report. The course concludes with communication skills, in particular conducting patient consultations.

This course builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in the course Systems at Molecular Level (Year 1).

Please note In addition to laboratory sessions, attendance at other teaching sessions may be compulsory for assessment on certain assessment components.