PLEASE NOTE: This course has had a change of code - up to and including 2009 it was PHPH9109.

This course aims to provide an understanding of the major medical problems and treatments that need to be understood in developing new therapeutic agents and optimising their use. Emphasis will be on highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of present therapies and identification of current research aimed at developing new therapeutic agents.

The course provides an integrated description of relevant physiology, pathophysiology, disease state manifestations and clinical pharmacology with respect to the following disease states: (a) gastrointestinal disorders: oesophageal disorders, gastritis, peptic ulcer, diarrhoea and constipation, gastroenteritis, malabsorption syndromes, chronic inflammation of the bowel, gastrointestinal neoplasms; (b) hepatic and biliary disorders: jaundice, ascites, fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatitis, neoplasms; (c) Endocrinological disorders: Osteoporosis, thyroid diseases (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism); (d) Haematology disorders: acute and chronic leukaemias, plasma cell disorders, polycythaemia, lymphomas; (e) Rheumatology disorders: rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis, polymyalgia; (f) Oncology: Myelomas, principles of cancer treatment, pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics; (g) Neurological disorders: Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Epilepsy; (h) Psychiatric disorders: Schizophrenia, Depression, Bipolar disorders.

Note: The course is elective for programme 9060.