Aim and Content

The course is based on FARM103 and elaborates subjects from this as well as new subjects. The students will gain insight in the pharmacist`s role in identifying, systemizing and solving medicines related problems for individual patients. Furthermore, they will learn to use research results as a basis for presenting medicines information to different users, and be able to use statistics and data as a mean to gain rational and economic use of medicines. Through the work placement in a pharmacy, and by being in contact with users and health personnel, the student will practice science and gain knowledge and skills which can only be acquired during interaction.

The theoretical part (autumn) is an expansion of previously introduced subjects, as well as new subjects as medicines epidemiology, evaluation and adaptation of information, communication and management. The course consists of lectures, seminars and practical exercises. It is compact and demands active participation from the students. The teaching will prepare the students for the work placement and provides tools for contribution to qualified medicines use both within and outside of institutions.

Supervised work placement in a pharmacy (six months) is an EU requirement for students who want to become pharmacists. This will give the students practical experience within safe environments, where they will acquire knowledge and experience from meeting clients and patients. They will learn to interpret and practice laws and regulations, exercise pharmaceutical and ethical judgments, and practice applications of their learned knowledge.

Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, the students should be able to

- independently dispense prescriptions and adequately and appropriately inform patients about their medicines

- guide and empower patients in order to give them the maximum benefit of their medicines

- demonstrate professional communication skills

- apply the laws, regulations and standards operating in pharmacy field

- critically reflect on professional performance according to ethical principles and professional guidelines

- articulate a personal leadership philosophy

- interpret epidemiological studies and account for the applied concepts

Course offered (semester)

Autumn and spring

Access to the Course Unit

The course is open for students enrolled in the Master`s Programme in Pharmacy or the Master in Pharmacy for Bachelors in Pharmacy from the Scandinavian countries

Pre-requirements

The course FARM103 (Samfunnsfarmasi I) is a prerequisite for starting FARM 204.

Attendance to the course lectures and seminars is mandatory. All previous exams including FARM 204 have to be passed before starting internship

Subject Overlap

FARM201 + FARM202 + FARM203: 35 S

Teaching Methods

Lectures, role play, group work, oral presentations, work placement in a pharmacy, written assignments

Compulsory Requirements

Compulsory attendance in lectures. Compulsory written assignments.

Compulsory internship with written assignments.

Both the teaching in FARM204 and the internship must be approved before being allowed to attend the final exam

Assessment methods

Written exam (5 hours) in spring after completed internship. Approved examination support materials for the written exam are: Felleskatalogen and Norsk legemiddelhåndbok and simple calculator.

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.

Place of Teaching

The University of East Anglia, Norwich

Internship at pharmacies around Norway

Course Unit Evaluation

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