PHAR6214

Epidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics

Faculty of Health School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy

10 Units 6000 Level Course

Available in 2013

Callaghan Campus	Trimester 1

Previously offered in 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009

Provides students with an understanding of the methods used to measure consumption, beneficial and adverse effects, and cost-effectiveness of drugs in communities; research design and skills used to appraise epidemiological research and clinical trial design.

Objectives

Students should:
1. Understand the techniques used to measure medicinal drug consumption;
2. Understand the factors that influence the prescribing and consumption of medicinal drugs;
3. Understand the methods used to measure beneficial and adverse effects of drugs in the community;
4. Be able to correctly interpret data on drug consumption and effects;
5. Understand the techniques used in measuring the cost-effectiveness of drugs; and
6. Be able to correctly interpret pharmacoeconomic data and understand how cost- effectiveness data can be used to set drug prices and control drug budgets.

Content

1. Drug utilisation studies, international measures of drug consumption;
2. International comparisons of drug consumption, the impact of socio-economic factors and pharmaceutical industry actions on prescribing and consumption of medicinal drugs;
3. Measuring efficacy of drugs by randomized and non-randomised studies, biostatistical measures of drug use and effects;
4. Logic of cohort and case-control studies of adverse effects, voluntary adverse reaction reports and their interpretation, measuring the costs and outcomes of community drug use;
5. Cost-minimisation, cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis, evidence-based medicine and pharmacoeconomic analysis, using pharmacoeconomic analyses to make formulary decisions and set prices; and
6. Reference pricing, evidence-based procurement techniques in drug program management.

Replacing Course(s)

Replaces PHAR6010 Epidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics 10 Units

Transition

N/A

Industrial Experience

Assumed Knowledge

PHAR6006 OR PHAR6133 Pharmacotherapeutics 1

Modes of Delivery

Internal Mode

Teaching Methods

Problem Based Learning
Lecture
Self Directed Learning
Tutorial

Assessment Items

Examination: Formal	May comprise True/False, multiple choice and short answer questions and calculations.
Other: (please specify)	May include written assignments and or oral presentations on project tasks. Topics and dates will be advised in the course outline at commencement of trimester.
Other: (please specify)	Students must achieve a passing grade overall to be able to obtain a passing or higher grade in this course. Students must demonstrate competency in the theoretical knowledge that forms part of the core competencies required of a pharmacist

Contact Hours

Lecture: for 2 hour(s) per Week for 10 weeks
Tutorial: for 2 hour(s) per Week for 10 weeks

Compulsory Components

Requisite by Enrolment	This course is only available to students enrolled in the Master of Pharmacy program.

Timetables