Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit is the first of the integrated pharmacy practice units. This unit begins by introducing students to the role of the pharmacist as a provider of primary health care, and establishes the context for the applied knowledge of pharmacy. It provides foundation knowledge necessary for further pharmacy practice units throughout the course.
Students are introduced to the area of pharmacy governance which encompasses regulatory, legislative and ethical frameworks that form the cornerstones of the practice of pharmacy. Consideration is given to the legislation controlling pharmaceutical products and pharmacy practice and the nature and operation of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the responsibilities of the pharmacist in relation to this scheme. Students develop communication skills and a sound understanding of the principles of evidence-based medicine that are essential for delivering health care information to patients and others. The use of drug information resources available to the pharmacist is reviewed. The role of the pharmacist as a health care practitioner is exemplified by experiential placements within an aged care facility.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode First year of offer Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 3 core unit in the Pharmaceutical Health major sequence
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) describe the concept of ethical practice and the role of reflection in a pharmacist's professional development; (2) demonstrate that pharmacists, as healthcare providers, must respect the beliefs, values and attitudes of the diverse population they serve; (3) analyse the regulatory and legislative frameworks that apply to the practice of pharmacy and identify the minimum requirements for prescriptions; (4) describe the concept of evidence-based medicine and use appropriate sources for obtaining medicine and health information; (5) explain the elements of effective communication and demonstrate basic communication with patients and healthcare practitioners; and (6) demonstrate a basic knowledge of common medicines and their doses.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) written assessments; (2) oral assessment; and (3) assignments. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Ms Jamie Ly
- Unit rules
- Contact hours
- Up to 7 hours per week over 12 weeks.
- Recommended
reading Australian Medicines Handbook, current edn: Australian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd
Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook, current edn: Pharmaceutical Society of AustraliaKyle, G., Firipis, M. and Tietze, K. Skills for Pharmacists: a Patient-focused Approach: Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier current edition
Chen, T. et al. Medication Review: a Process Guide for Pharmacists, current edn: Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
Chen, T. et al. Pharmacist Only and Pharmacy Medicines: a Process Guide for Pharmacists, current edn: Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
Gowan, J. and Roller, L. Practical Disease State Management for Pharmacists, current edn: Australian Pharmaceutical Publishing Company
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.