Overview

Drug Development teaches students about (i) drug-body interactions (pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics), (ii) the clinical development of drugs. The module uses case studies to explain how drugs are developed from bench to bedside. Examples are selected from a broad range of drugs including antibiotics, plant-derived drugs and novel immunomodulatory compounds. The content of the module is annually updated to incorporate new developments.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Category D (40%-49%):Knowledge is limited to key areas & principles with gaps. No evidence of background reading. Answers are poorly focused with some irrelevant material and/or repetition. No original interpretation and ideas. Limited problem solving skills, poor time management. Many weaknesses in presentation and accuracy.

-good -Category B (60%-69%):Knowledge of key areas & principles. The main areas are understood with some minor omissions. Limited evidence of background study. Answers are focused on question, but also with some irrelevant material and weaknesses in structure. Arguments presented but lack sometimes coherence. No original interpretation & ideas. Only major links between topics are described. Answers are based on lecture material. Evidence of problem solving & time management skills. Some weaknesses in presentation and accuracy.

-excellent -Category A (70%-100%):Comprehensive knowledge & detailed understanding with clear evidence of background study. Highly focused answer and well structured and well supported by diagrams & tables. Logically presented and defended arguments. No factual errors. Original interpretation and novel links between topics are developed. Excellent problem solving & time management skills. Very good presentation and accuracy.To obtain marks in the A+ and A* range, clear evidence of background reading has to be present. Top answers based on the lecture material return low A marks.

-another level-Category C (50%-59%):Knowledge is limited to key areas & principles with gaps. No evidence of background reading. Answers are largely correct but are based on statements of facts without additional explanation and context. No original interpretation and ideas. Limited problem solving skills, poor time management. Many weaknesses in presentation and accuracy.

Learning Outcomes

• Evaluate and describe the multiple parameters that are involved in developing drugs through the pre-clinical and clinical stages.

• Present an accurate and informative written description of a drug in therapeutic use, to a lay audience.

• Retrieve and critically review information from a variety of pharmaceutical databases.

• Synthesise pharmacological information to assess how drugs interact with the body (pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics).