UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Department of Pharmacy
2014/2015 Academic Year
PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY (PMY 4230)
Course Handbook
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Title Pharmacology & Toxicology
Course Code PMY 4230
Prerequisites Physiology, Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pathology & Pathophysiology,
General Pharmacology
Course Coordinator Dr. L. Prashar
Total Contact Hours 130 Hours
Credit Units 4.3
Course Description Pharmacology & Toxicology course deals with studying the
interactions that occur between a living organism and chemicals that
affect normal or abnormal biochemical function, including the adverse
effects of chemicals on living organisms.
COURSE AIM: To provide specific understanding of the clinical aspects of the
pharmacological treatment and management of common disease conditions.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the completion of this study course, the student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate understanding of the scientific basis of drug therapy
2. Describe the pharmacology of drugs used for the management of diseases affecting
the skin, reproductive and genital-urinary system
3. Describe principles of toxicology and management of poisoning
4. Appreciate the scope of pharmacology as applied in drug development, special
populations and emerging pharmaceutical care domains
5. Evaluate evidence and recommend quality, cost-effective pharmacological
interventions through well designed drug treatment strategies
6. Promote the safety of clinically prescribed drugs, maximize beneficial effects and
minimise adverse effects

PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOKS
Book Title Basic and Clinical Pharmacology
Author(s) Katzung B.G.
Publisher Mc Graw Hill, Medical Publishing Division. New York.
Year 2011
Edition 12th
Edition.
ISBN 978-0-07-1764018
Book Title Goodman & Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics
Author(s) Brunton, L.L, Lazo, J.S, and Parker, K.L.
Publisher McGraw-Hill Medical Publishing Division.
Year 2010.
Edition 12thEdition.
ISBN 0071422803
RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS & READINGS
1. Graeme-Smith D.G., Aronson J. K. 2002. Oxford Textbook of Clinical
Pharmacology and drug treatment, 3rd edition, 2002. Oxford
University Press. ISBN 978-0192632340
2. McKay G.A., Reid J.L., Walters M.R. 2013. Lecture notes: Clinical
Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 9th Edition. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN
9781118344811
3. Rang H.P, Dale M.M, Ritter, J.M, and Moore, P.K. 2012. Rang & Dale
Pharmacology. 7th Edition. Churchill Livingstone. U.K. ISBN:
9780702034718.
4. Hsu W.H. 2008. Handbook of Veterinary Pharmacology. Wiley-
Blackwell, UK. ISBN 9780813828374.
Assessments
Assessment Type Due Date Percentage Score
Tests TBA 20%
Assignments TBC 10%
Clinical Log Books TBA 5%
Seminars TBC 5%
Final Examinations TBA 60%

TEACHING & LEARNING METHODS
1. Course delivery methods will include: Lectures, Tutorials, Seminars, Clinical exposure
and Demonstrations.
2. Students are expected to read the assigned topics from prescribed textbooks and
recommended readings before each class session
3. Active learning and interactive participation in class.
4. Tutorials & Seminars will be interactive and participatory to encourage discussions and
active learning.
5. Students are expected to attend ALL lectures. Students with less than 85% attendance
will not be allowed to write end of year examinations*
6. The student is responsible for all material covered in this course.
7. Communicate any concerns or issues concerning the course either during class sessions
or during tutorial sessions.
COURSE OUTLINE
UNIT TOPICS LECTURES READINGS
General
principles of drug
therapy
 Pharmaceutical, pharmacokinetic,
pharmacodynamic & therapeutic
processes of drug therapy
1
Dermatology  Manifestations of skin disorders
 Skin cancers
 Burns
 Superficial fungal infections
 Superficial bacterial infections
 Superficial viral infections
 Acne valgaris
 Eczematous dermatoses
 Urticaria
 Psoriasis
 Scabies
 Parasitic infestation: Pediculosis
6
Drugs acting on
Reproductive
System
 Female sex hormones
 Control of the female reproductive
system
 Hormone replacement therapy
 Contraception
 Drug use in Pregnancy & Lactation
 Male sex hormones
 Hormonal control of the male
reproductive system
 Drug treatment of Infertility
5
Toxicology  General principles of toxicology:
types & mechanisms of toxicity
 Principles of clinical management
of a poisoned patient
 Specific poisons:
- Pesticides
- Gases
- Heavy metals
 Drug overdose:
- Aspirin
- Paracetamol
- Digoxin
- Quinine
7

- Benzodiazepines
- Herbal medicine toxicity
 Drug abuse, drug dependence & its
management
Drug use in
special
populations
 Drug therapy in pregnancy and
lactation
 Drug therapy in childhood
 Drug therapy in the elderly
 Drug therapy in certain disease
states: renal, hepatic and cardiac
disease
2
Applied topics in
Pharmacology
 Drug Development & Clinical Trials
 Vaccines & Biopharmaceuticals
 Veterinary drugs & Zoonotic
diseases
4
Additional Information
Final Examination
Format
Two papers: Paper I and Paper II: Exam format TBC to students
at least 14 days before the date of Examination
Supplementary &
Deferred Exams
TBA by senate: Format will be similar to main examination
Scoring Criteria Pass: A+ (90 – 100%); A (80 – 89%); B+ (70 – 79%); B (60 –
69%); C+ (55 – 59%); C (50 – 54%);
Fail: D+ (45 – 49%); D (40 – 44%); E (0 – 39%)
Cheating /
Malpractice
Refer to University of Zambia policy on examination conduct and
malpractice
Attendance 100% attendance in all course activities is expected.