Class Pharmacy Practice

This curricular unit, focuses on developing the essential competencies required for pharmacists to effectively engage in modern healthcare. It emphasizes the expanding role of pharmacists as integral members of patient care teams, responsible for providing pharmaceutical care, managing medication therapies, and contributing to public health. The fields of action include patient-centered care, medication management, and health education, with intervention areas extending across community pharmacy, collaboration with other healthcare professionals, and the implementation of Pharmaceutical Services. This unit will equips students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to address pharmacotherapeutic follow-up, resolve medication-related problems, and master the use of clinical tools to monitor patient outcomes.

Not applicable

Module 1: Introduction to pharmaceutical care Module 2: Medication adherence assessment Module 3: Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIMs) Module 4: Drug-Related Problems (DRPs) Module 5: Medication Reconciliation and Medication Review Module 6: Cardiovascular Risk Module 7: Pharmaceutical Intervention in Hypertension and Dyslipidemia Module 8: Pharmaceutical Intervention in Diabetes and Obesity Module 9: Pharmaceutical Intervention in Asthma and COPD  

The lectures will be based mainly on the expository model, where the basic concepts will be presented. The following innovative methodologies will be used in the practical classes: Progressive patient simulation - each group of students is assigned a virtual patient with a detailed medication history. As the unit progresses, new health problems or medications are added to their patient profile, requiring ongoing management. Role-play with healthcare team integration - simulation of interdisciplinary team meetings in which students play the role of pharmacist and collaborate with other ‘healthcare professionals’ (represented by classmates or teachers) to solve complex patient cases. Fieldwork - As part of the fieldwork, an observational study will be carried out in a community pharmacy that will allow students to familiarise themselves with the professional environment they will soon encounter during their internship

2023 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria(r) Update Expert Panel. (2023). American Geriatrics Society 2023 updated AGS Beers Criteria(r) for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 71(7), 2052-2081. Griese-Mammen, N., Hersberger, K. E., Messerli, M., Leikola, S., Horvat, N., van Mil, J. W. F., & Kos, M. (2018). PCNE definition of medication review: Reaching agreement. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 40(5), 1199-1208. Hepler, C. D., & Strand, L. M. (1990). Opportunities and responsibilities in pharmaceutical care. American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 47(3), 533-543. International Pharmaceutical Federation. (2022). Medication review and medicines use review: A toolkit for pharmacists. Ordem dos Farmacêuticos. (2021). Orientações para a revisão da medicação. Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe Association. (2020). Classification for drug-related problems V9.1.