This document provides information about the General Pharmacology course offered at the University of Zambia School of Medicine. The course is intended to provide students with a solid foundation in fundamental pharmacology concepts. Over the 14-week course, students will learn about how drugs act on major organ systems of the body like the nervous, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems. Assessment will include tests, assignments, lab reports, seminars, and a final exam worth 60% comprising two papers. Students must achieve a minimum of 85% attendance and are responsible for all material covered.

1. UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Department of Pharmacy
2014/2015 Academic Year
GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY (PGY 3220)
Course Handbook
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Title General Pharmacology
Course Code PGY 3220
Prerequisites Physiology, Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pathology & Pathophysiology
Course Coordinator Mr. C. Kalungia
Total Contact Hours 130 Hours
Credit Units 4.3
Course Description Pharmacology is the study of the interactions that occur between a
living organism and chemicals (drugs) that affect normal or abnormal
biochemical function. Pharmacology deals with the research,
discovery, and characterization of chemicals which show biological
effects and the elucidation of cellular and organismal function in
relation to these chemicals.
COURSE AIM: To provide a solid foundation in the fundamental concepts of pharmacology
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this study course, the student should be able to:
1. Describe the development of pharmacology and therapeutics
2. Describe the basic principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
3. Explain the molecular mechanisms of drug action
4. Describe the mechanisms of action, clinical uses and side effects of major drugs in
various systems of the human body.
5. Perform basic experiments elaborating the fundamental principles of pharmacology
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

2. Book Title Rang & Dale Pharmacology
Author(s) Rang H.P, Dale M.M, Ritter J.M, Moore P.K.
Publisher Churchill Livingstone, UK
Year 2012
Edition 7th
Edition
ISBN 978-0-7020-3471-8.
RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS & READINGS
1. Brunton L.L, Lazo J.S, Parker K.L. (2010). 12th
Edition. Goodman &
Gilman’s ‘The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics’, Mc Graw
Hill. Medical Publishing Division. ISBN 0-07-142280-3.
2. Tripathi K.D. (2008). 6th
Edition. Essentials of Medical
Pharmacology. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd. New
Delhi. ISBN 81-8448-085-7.
3. Neal M.J. (2012). 7th
Edition. Medical Pharmacology at a Glance.
Wiley-Blackwell. UK. ISBN -13- 978-040657898.
Assessments
Assessment Type Due Date Percentage Score
Tests 20/10/14 (Test 1)
15/12/14 (Test 2)
02/03/15 (Test 3)
20%
Assignments TBC 10%
Laboratory Reports TBA 5%
Seminars TBC 5%
Final Examinations TBA 60%
TEACHING & LEARNING METHODS
1. Course delivery methods will include: Lectures, Tutorials, Seminars, Laboratory
practicals 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 will be interactive and participatory to encourage discussions and active
learning.
5. Students are expected to attempt all tutorial questions assigned.
6. Students are expected to attend ALL lectures. Students with less than 85% attendance
will not be allowed to write end of year examinations*
7. Students should undertake ALL laboratory practicals
8. The student is responsible for all material covered in this course.
9. Communicate any concerns or issues concerning the course either during class
sessions or during tutorial sessions.

3. COURSE OUTLINE
UNIT TOPICS LECTURES READINGS
General
Principles of
Pharmacology
 Introduction to Pharmacology and
Therapeutics
 Basic aspects of Pharmacokinetics
 Basic aspects of Pharmacodynamics
 Molecular mechanisms of drug
action
 Basic concepts of Pharmacogenetics
5 Katzung, 12th
ed. Ch. 1 –
4.
Rang & Dale, 7th
ed. Ch.1
– 11.
Drugs acting on
Autonomic
Nervous System
 Introduction to Autonomic Nervous
System
 Drugs acting on Cholinergic System
 Drugs acting on Adrenergic System
 Drugs acting on Autonomic Ganglia
 Muscle Relaxants and neuro-
muscular blocking agents.
8 Katzung, 12th
ed. Ch. 6 –
10.
Rang & Dale, 7th
ed.
Ch.12 – 14.
Drugs acting on
Respiratory
System
 Antitussives
 Nasal decongestants
 Asthma drugs
3 Katzung, 12th
ed. Ch. 20.
Rang & Dale, 7th
ed.
Ch.27.
Drugs acting on
the Kidney
 Diuretics
 Vasopressin
2 Katzung, 12th
ed. Ch. 15.
Rang & Dale, 7th
ed.
Ch.28.
Drugs acting on
Cardiovascular
system
 Hypertension
 Congestive heart failure
 Ischaemic heart disease
 Cardiac arrhythmia
 Hyperlipidaemia
5 Katzung, 12th
ed. Ch. 11 –
15.
Rang & Dale, 7th
ed.
Ch.21 – 23.
Drugs acting on
Gastrointestinal
System
 Drugs used for Constipation &
Diarrhoea
 Drugs used for Nausea and vomiting
 Drugs used for Peptic Ulcer disease
 Drugs used for Gastro-oesophageal
reflux disease
 Drugs used for Irritable Bowel
Syndrome
4 Katzung, 12th
ed. Ch. 63.
Rang & Dale, 7th
ed.
Ch.29.
Drugs acting on
Endocrine
System
 Hypothalamic factors and pituitary
hormone
 Drugs used in thyroid disorders
 Parathyroid hormones and drugs
used for metabolic bone disorders
 Anti-diabetic agent
 Adrenocorticoids
5 Katzung, 12th
ed. Ch.37 –
42.
Rang & Dale, 7th
ed.
Ch.30 – 33.

4. Drugs acting on
Central Nervous
System
 Mechanisms of drugs acting on the
CNS
 Drugs used in the management of
affective disorders
 Anti-psychotics
 Hypnotics and Anxiolytics
 Anti-epileptic drugs
 Anaesthetic agents
 Opioid analgesics
 Drugs used in the management of
migraine
 Drug abuse & dependence
10 Katzung, 12th
ed. Ch.21 –
32.
Rang & Dale, 7th
ed.
Ch.36 – 48. Ch.15.
Inflammation and
Allergy Drugs
 Drugs used to suppress
inflammatory and immune reactions
 Drugs used for management of
Rheumatoid arthritis and Gout
4 Katzung, 12th
ed. Ch.16 &
36.
Rang & Dale, 7th
ed.
Ch.26.
Haematologic
Pharmacology
 Drugs that affect haemostasis and
thrombosis
 Drug used in management of anemia
2 Katzung, 12th
ed. Ch.33 –
34.
Rang & Dale, 7th
ed.
Ch.24 – 25.
Chemotherapy  General principles of antimicrobial
chemotherapy
 Anti-bacterial drugs
 Anti-mycobacterial drugs
 Anti-fungal drugs
 Anti-protozoal drugs
 Anti-malaria drugs
 Anti-helminthic drugs
 Anti-viral drugs
 Anti-cancer agents
14 Katzung, 12th
ed. Ch.43 –
55.
Rang & Dale, 7th
ed.
Ch.49 – 55.
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.