Drugs and Medicinal Products

Recommended Prerequisites

Analytical chemistry, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Human Physiology and Anatomy I.

Teaching Methods

Students are assessed upon final exam, which includes a theoretical part  (which deals with the knowledge discussed in laboratory classes), and by presentation of a synthesis work (that allows integration and application of the knowledge acquired during classes) corresponding, respectively, to 80 and 20% of the final grade. The student is considered approved uponreaching a rate equal to or greater than ten (out of 20).

Learning Outcomes

The theoretical and laboratory course on Drugs and Medicines is organized so that the student:
- Understands the process and objectives of processing drugs into medicines

- Acquire basic notions of bioavailability, uniformity of dosage and stability

- Master the physicochemical characteristics of drugs that affect the design of pharmaceutical dosage forms and their performance

- Know the drug administration routes

- Know the main classes of excipients used in the formulation of medicines and their role in pharmaceutical dosage forms

- Masters major pharmaceutical dosage forms, their characteristics, the formulation and methods of production.

The implementation of the objectives described will enable students to develop the following skills: problem solving; critical thinking; autonomous learning; oral and written communication; concern for quality.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Theoretical component.
1. Introduction. Study of physicochemical characteristics of drugs, active raw materials and excipients. General manufacturing principles. Systematic study of grouped dosage forms according to the route of administration and physical form.

2. Pharmaceutical Solid forms: Powders, granules, capsules and tablets.

3. Liquid Pharmaceutical forms: Oral solutions, syrups, nasal and ear dosage forms.

4. Semi-Solid Pharmaceutical Forms: Ointments, creams, gels, pastes and suppositories

5. Pharmaceutical sterile forms: small and large volume injections, ophthalmic ointments and eye drops.

6. General information on evaluation of the stability of active substances and pharmaceutical forms.

Synthesis Work developed by students and presented in class:

Drug of interest launched on the market in the past year: Active ingredient, therapeutic indication, mechanism, dosage form, formulation, production, patent, economics.

Head Lecturer(s)

Luís Fernando Morgado Pereira de Almeida

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 20.0%
Exam: 80.0%

Bibliography

Aulton's Pharmaceutics: The Design and Manufacture of Medicines, 4th edition, Churcill Livingstone, M. E. Aulton (Ed.), Kevin M. G. Taylor, 2013

Pharmaceutical Preformulation and Formulation: A Practical Guide from Candidate Drug Selection to Commercial Dosage Form, Informa Healthcare Press, Mark Gibson (Ed.), 2009

Swarbrick, J. and Boylan, J.C., Encyclopedia of Pharmaceutical Technology, Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York . Basel, 1990

Nogueira Prista, L., Correia Alves, A. e Rui Morgado (com a colaboração de Sousa Lobo, J.M.), Tecnologia Farmacêutica, I, II e III Volumes, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Lisboa, 5ª Ed., 1995

Kibbe, A.H., Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, American Pharmaceutical Association and Pharmaceutical Press, Washington, DC . London, 3ª Ed., 2000

Lachman, L., Lieberman, H.A. and Kaning, J.L. (tradução Pinto, J.F. e Fernandes, A.I.), Teoria e Prática na Indústria Farmacêutica, Volume I e II, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Lisboa, 2001