Aim and Content

The course will give an introduction to the history of pharmacy, pharmacy as a profession, and the pharmacists education and role in health care. Central aspects considering laws, ethics and communication are discussed. The course will give basic knowledge about pharmaceuticals (production, use, surveillance), and about the health care system, including the pharmacies. The course aims to give insight in health and disease concepts, and social differences in health, as well as insight in global health challenges and pharmacys role in these.

Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, the students should be able to

- describe important development characteristics in the history of pharmacy

- describe the distinctive features of a profession and discuss professional ethical challenges

- describe the National Health Service in general, and the pharmacy field in special

- discuss various concepts of health and disease

- identify reasons for social inequality in health on national and international level

- describe the terms placebo effect, compliance, concordance, adherence, self-care, inappropriate use of medicines and medicines use during various phases of life

Exam offered (semester)

Ordinary exam each autumn

Teaching Methods

Lectures, group work, problem based learning (PBL) with oral presentations in groups, work placement and company visits

Compulsory Requirements

Compulsory attendance in lectures

Compulsory work placement at a pharmacy

Compulsory individual assignments

Compulsory group work

Assessment methods

Approved compulsory assignments

Written exam (4 hours)

Approved examination support material in the written exam are: Felleskatalogen and Norsk legemiddelhåndbok

Grading Scale

The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade in the grading scale, grade F is a fail.

Course Unit Evaluation

The students evaluate the teaching according to the Quality Assurance System at the University of Bergen