Course overview
The aim of this course is to provide foundational knowledge and skills required for contribution to pharmacy practice in a primary health context. This course provides an introduction to issues in pharmacy practice, including: history, role and function of pharmacists; origins and development of drugs; ethics and values of a health professional; introductory absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) principles; calculations based on understanding of dose and the fundamentals of formulation; development of tools necessary for the practice of pharmacy: oral and written communication skills required for the provision of medicines; function and legal requirements of a prescription; retrieval and appraisal information about medicines and health, particularly related to the provision of unscheduled and Pharmacy Only medications and the general management of minor illness in a primary health care setting.
Course learning outcomes
- Describe the basic legal requirements of medicine provision, both prescription and non-prescription
- Explain the pharmacist's contribution to the health care setting in terms of the interface with patients, enabling the identification of standards of ethical professional practice and competency in relation to medicines
- Describe the fundamentals of pharmaceutical formulations and understand the concept of dose and pharmaceutical numeracy which impacts on patient safety and appropriate drug usage.
- Demonstrate competent skills with respect to the provision of prescription and non-prescription medicines
- Demonstrate a functional knowledge of the ailments most commonly encountered in community pharmacy and their management
- Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills to enable the safe and effective use of medicines
Availability
Class details
Adelaide City Campus West
Class number 51729
Section PR01
Size 40
Available 39
Class number 51730
Section PR02
Size 40
Available 39
Class number 51731
Section PR03
Size 40
Available 39
Class number 51732
Section PR04
Size 40
Available 38
Class number 51733
Section SE01
Size 160
Available 155
Class number 51734
Section WS01
Size 40
Available 38
Class number 51735
Section WS02
Size 40
Available 39
Class number 51736
Section WS03
Size 40
Available 39
Class number 51737
Section WS04
Size 40
Available 39
Fee calculator
To display course fees, please select your status and program below:
We’re updating this Fee Calculator. It currently shows fees for programs only. Please check the relevant program for full fee details.
Study Abroad student tuition fees are available here.
Only some Postgraduate Coursework programs are available as Commonwealth Supported. Please check your program for specific fee information.
If you are studying in a Professional Pathway Psychology or Clinical Psychology program, please refer to the Student Contributions amounts published here.
The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.