OVERVIEW

The teaching of Pharmacognosy and Pharmacovigilance takes place in the fourth year of the Degree in Pharmacy and involves the awarding of 10 credits. This teaching is divided into two modules, Pharmacognosy and Pharmacovigilance, of 5 credits each. The Pharmacognosy module deals with the therapeutic applications of compounds of pharmaceutical interest of natural origin, while the Pharmacovigilance module deals with the surveillance system of adverse drug reactions, an element characterizing the professional figure of the pharmacist.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the teaching is to provide the following educational objectives:
As regards the pharmacognosy module, the main objectives are: i) to provide the concepts and basic notions for the identification and knowledge of derivatives of natural origin, in particular vegetal, mineral and animal, ii) to discuss the pharmacological effects (pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic) and toxicological aspects of their active constituents, iii) evaluate their therapeutic use in the clinic and their potential use in industry and research.

As regards the pharmacovigilance module, the main objectives are to provide the knowledge and application bases of the post-marketing surveillance system of drugs and products not falling within the definition of a drug, carried out on national territory and how the Italian system interfaces in the European and global panorama, in order to have a broad vision of the subject and to guarantee a professionally complete preparation for future pharmacists.

Moreover, some activities done during the two modules guaratee the acquisition of the OPEN BADGE related to specific soft skills, as detailed in each specific page of this teaching.

At the end of the course, the student must have acquired the main training objectives set out in each module.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The objectives of the Pharmacognosy and Pharmacovigilance course are to provide the knowledge bases i) on the main derivatives of natural origin, reviewing their active constituents, the therapeutic/toxic effects that these have both at the cellular level and in the various apparatuses and systems of the organism: central nervous system, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, genitourinary, respiratory, immune and cutaneous, describing the pharmacological bases linked to the therapeutic use and the molecular mechanisms of their effects; ii) on the post-marketing surveillance system of drugs and products not falling within the definition of drug, carried out on national territory and how the Italian system interfaces with the European and world panorama, in order to have a broad vision of the subject, in order to professionally prepare future pharmacists to be able to play an active role in surveillance, both in the private and public sectors, also improving the quality and number of reports of suspected adverse reactions.

For further information, see the sheets dedicated to the individual modules.

PREREQUISITES

Please refer to the Academic Regulations for detailed information regarding prerequisites.

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of two modules, Pharmacognosy and Pharmacovigilance, both organized in 40 hours of frontal lessons.

Part of the lessons can be carried out using the "flipped classroom" mode where students who participate, individually or in groups, will have to study a topic related to the module and present it to the class in power point presentation mode, followed by discussion and peer evaluation. Furthermore, teaching activities for scenarios followed by peer evaluation can be carried out to strengthen the acquisition of transversal skills.

Finally, during the teaching, some hours of in-depth study by a qualified expert of the territory can be carried out

Therefore, in order to obtain a better learning of the subject, attendance of the lessons is recommended.

Further details are present in the individual teaching sheets of the two modules.

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department ( Prof. Luca Raiteri, Luca.Raiteri@unige.it ) before class begins, in order to liaise and arrange the specific learning methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes. VERY IMPORTANT: any request for compensatory tools and adaptations in the exam MUST be done within 10 working days before the date of the exam according to the instructions that can be found at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/comunicazioni

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

View the topics covered in the teaching program within the individual module schedule.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Specific information is available in the teaching sheets of the individual modules

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The timetable of the lessons can be consulted at the following link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The teaching exam includes an oral test in which the learning of the training objectives of each module will be assessed. The duration of the interview will be approximately 30 minutes per module in the presence of a commission composed of the teacher in charge of the course and another teacher of the Department or a PhD student/fellowship holder recognized as an expert in the subject by the CULM. The only positive outcome of both assessments will lead to passing the teaching exam.
The oral exam will allow you to verify the student's knowledge of the subject as well as the quality of the oral presentation and the use of appropriate vocabulary.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam for the course includes an oral test in which the learning of the educational objectives of each module will be assessed. The interview will last approximately 30 minutes per module in the presence of a commission composed of the professor in charge of the course and another professor from the Department or a PhD student/Assistant recognized as Expert in the Subject by the CULM. Only a positive outcome of both assessments will result in passing the exam for the course.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Contact the teacher for further information not included in the teaching schedule.