Pharmacy MPharm (Hons)

Program Overview

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The Pharmacy MPharm (Hons) program at De Montfort University is a four-year, GPhC-accredited program that prepares students for careers as registered pharmacists. It emphasizes experiential learning, interprofessional education, and the development of clinical, practical, and professional skills. Graduates are highly employable in various sectors of pharmacy, including community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, and the pharmaceutical industry.

Program Outline

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Pharmacy MPharm (Hons)

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Degree Overview:

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Objectives:

• Equip students with the clinical, practical, and professional skills needed to complete their Foundation Training Year and become registered Pharmacists and independent prescribers.
• Offer a comprehensive understanding of the pharmacy profession and its role in healthcare delivery.
• Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills necessary for effective patient care and collaboration within healthcare teams.
• Foster a strong foundation in pharmaceutical sciences, including medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmaceutics.
• Integrate theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience through placements in community pharmacies, hospitals, and primary care settings.
• Prepare graduates for diverse career opportunities across all pharmacy sectors, including community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, and the pharmaceutical industry.

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Description:

• Accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and designed to meet the GPhC's standards for initial education and training of pharmacists.
• Four-year full-time program with a strong emphasis on experiential learning, featuring integrated placements throughout all years.
• Utilizes a block teaching approach, facilitating focused learning on one module at a time and promoting in-depth understanding.
• Delivers a curriculum aligned with current healthcare needs, covering topics such as personalized medicine, complex patient care, and advanced clinical skills.
• Emphasizes interprofessional education (IPE), preparing students for collaborative practice within healthcare teams.
• Supported by experienced and dedicated faculty with research expertise and industry experience.
• Provides access to state-of-the-art facilities, including new simulation suites, clinical skills labs, and modern laboratories.

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Outline:

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Program Content:

• Focuses on the scientific basis of pharmacy, pharmaceutical practice, and patient care.
• Covers key areas such as pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, clinical pharmacy, therapeutics, and pharmacy law and ethics.
• Integrates theoretical knowledge with practical skills development through simulated learning environments and experiential placements.
• Emphasizes the development of professional skills, including communication, teamwork, leadership, and ethical practice.

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Course Schedule:

• Utilizes a block teaching approach, with each block focusing on one specific module.
• Typically involves 16 contact hours of teaching per week, supplemented by self-directed study and placement activities.
• Placements vary in length and are typically scheduled for up to 37 hours per week in later years.

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Modules:

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Year 1:

• Introduction to Pharmacy and the Patient – Professional Portfolio
• Integrated Science for Pharmacy
• The Patient: Sensory and Topical Body Systems
• Quality medicines: Design, Development and Analysis
• The Patient: Internal body systems

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Year 2:

• Introduction to co-morbidities and person centred-care – Professional portfolio
• The immune response: Infection and inflammation
• Introduction to cardiovascular disease and respiratory systems
• Infectious and inflammatory conditions and their management
• Ischaemic cardiovascular disease, hepatic and renal

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Year 3:

• Personalised medicines and the complex patient - Professional portfolio
• The patient: The Central Nervous System
• Biomarkers and biopharmaceuticals
• The patient: The endocrine system
• Precision medicine and cancer therapy

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Year 4:

• Future pharmacist: Healthcare professional and expert in medicines – Professional portfolio
• Future pharmacist: Research skills for the pharmacist
• The patient: Advanced clinical consultation skills (prescribing)
• Future pharmacist: Leadership and management skills and behaviours
• The patient: Advanced clinical skills, expert in practise (prescribing)

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Assessment:

• Utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including written exams, coursework assignments, practical assessments, and observed clinical practice during placements.
• Emphasizes the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills through assessments that require students to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios.
• Provides regular feedback throughout the program to help students track their progress and identify areas for improvement.

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

• Employs a blend of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, laboratory sessions, simulated learning environments, and experiential placements.
• Utilizes technology-enhanced learning approaches, including pre-work activities, podcasts, and online resources, to promote active learning and engagement.
• Encourages student-centered learning through group discussions, problem-solving exercises, and case-based learning activities.

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Faculty:

• Comprised of experienced and dedicated faculty with expertise in various areas of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.
• Maintains close links with industry and professional practice, ensuring that the curriculum remains relevant to current healthcare needs.
• Provides individual support and guidance to students throughout their studies.

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Unique Approaches:

• Interprofessional education (IPE) is integrated throughout the program, preparing students for collaborative practice with other healthcare professionals.
• Extensive use of simulated learning environments provides students with a safe and controlled setting to practice their clinical skills before entering real-world placements.
• Global opportunities through DMU Global allow students to gain international experience in the field of pharmacy.

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Careers:

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Career Paths:

• Graduates are qualified to apply for pre-registration pharmacist training and work towards becoming registered pharmacists.
• Career opportunities exist in various sectors, including:
• Community pharmacy
• Hospital pharmacy
• Primary care
• Research and development
• Regulatory affairs
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Academia

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Potential Employers:

• Major employers in community pharmacy and the NHS, including:
• Boots
• LloydsPharmacy
• Superdrug
• NHS hospital trusts
• Independent community pharmacies

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Graduate Outcomes:

• Graduates are highly employable and in high demand within the pharmacy sector.
• Many graduates secure positions in their chosen area of pharmacy practice.
• Students have access to modern facilities, including libraries, computer labs, and study spaces.

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Summary:

The Pharmacy MPharm (Hons) program at De Montfort University provides a comprehensive and rigorous education, preparing students for successful careers as pharmacists. With its strong emphasis on experiential learning, innovative teaching methods, and dedicated faculty, the program equips graduates with the essential knowledge, skills, and experience to excel in this rewarding and challenging profession.

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2024/25 tuition fees for UK students: £9,250 2024/25 tuition fees for international students: £16,250 Additional costs: You may incur additional costs for this programme, including the cost of travelling to and from project/placement locations.