Università degli Studi di Parma

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Single cycle degree course 5 years

PHARMACY

COD. 5008
WEBSITE
A.Y. 2017/2018
CLASS:
LM-13 - Classe delle lauree magistrali in Farmacia e farmacia industriale
Years of study: 5
Credits (CFU): 300
Mode of study: full-time

COURSE STRUCTURE DIAGRAM WITH CREDITS

CORSO GENERICO (curriculum)

Year of study: 1

Year of study: 2

Year of study: 3

Year of study: 4

Year of study: 5

Profile of the programme

The Single Cycle Degree Course in Pharmacy primarily aims at providing its graduates with the necessary scientific background as well as with the theoretical and practical preparation for the profession of pharmacist. This Degree Course represents an adjustment of the pre-existing degree course in compliance with directive EEC 85/432 regulating the pharmacist profession at a European level. The professional profile of a pharmacist corresponds to a health worker with multidisciplinary scientific and technological competences who tries to reach the objectives set by the National Health Service in order to adequately respond to the changing healthcare needs of the whole society. The course programme not only provides the essential knowledge for the pharmacist profession, but also the necessary advanced scientific competences for the healthcare system with the aim of training professionals and experts as regards pharmaceuticals and their therapeutic use.
Pharmacists represent an important connection between patients, doctors and public and private health facilities, through their collaboration for monitoring the distribution of medicines on the territory, for implementing therapies in hospitals and clinics and for informing doctors and patients on the correct assumption of pharmaceuticals. The Single Cycle Degree Course in Pharmacy also provides the necessary scientific background for working as experts in healthcare products (medical-surgical devices, healthcare products, sanitary items, cosmetics, dietetic products, herbal remedies, diagnostic and chemical-clinical tools, etc.) in the related industrial sectors. The programme fully meets the educational objectives of the course and includes training activities, practical workshops and the professional internship. Graduates will acquire sufficient competences in at least one European language other than Italian. Admission to the course requires basic knowledge in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Professional opportunities are found in public, private and hospital pharmacies, pharmaceutical or paramedical companies and laboratories, in the medical-scientific information sector and in secondary school teaching.

Admission requirements

The Course Council has set a limited number of enrolments.
Admission to the Single Cycle Degree Course in Pharmacy requires a secondary school qualification as stated by Article 6, clause 3 of the Ministerial Decree 270/04. Basic knowledge in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology acquired at school is a necessary pre-requisite for effective understanding of the first-year subjects of the course.
Admission to the course is locally regulated by the chronological order of enrolments. Admission is not subordinated to any entrance test.
At the beginning of the first year of Course, the Course Council tests the preliminary knowledge of the enrolled students. Students showing learning gaps will be required to attend complementary support activities (including tutoring resources) to bridge such gaps.

Key learning outcomes

The Single Cycle Degree Course in Pharmacy primarily aims at providing its graduates with the necessary scientific background as well as with the theoretical and practical preparation for the profession of pharmacist. This Degree Course represents an adjustment of the pre-existing degree course in compliance with directive EEC 85/432 regulating the pharmacist profession at a European level: for this reason, according to Ministerial Decree 270/04 the course lasts 5 years and includes a 6-month internship in a public or hospital pharmacy. The curriculum mainly provides the essential competences for dispensing prescription and over-the-counter medicines, as well as healthcare products (cosmetics, dietetic, herbal remedies and medical-healthcare products). Graduates in Pharmacy will acquire advanced scientific, practical, and legal competences in the healthcare field in order to become experts in pharmaceuticals and to work as a fundamental element of connection between patients, doctors and public and private health facilities. Such collaboration with health service structures includes the monitoring of the distribution of medicines on the territory and the evaluation of therapies (pharmacoeconomics), as well as the instructions for a correct use of pharmaceuticals (pharmaco-vigilance). Pharmacists will act as health advisors for a correct assumption of medicines and as an additional informational resource for doctors as regards the implementation of pharmacy policies. Professional training guarantees future pharmacists the acquisition of in-depth knowledge on the fundamental subjects providing multidisciplinary competences on medicines and healthcare products. In particular, the course provides: knowledge on pharmaceuticals and the substances involved in their preparation process; competences concerning pharmaceutical technologies and the physical, chemical, biological and micro-biological analysis of medicines; awareness on the effects, metabolism and level of toxicity of pharmaceuticals; advanced knowledge on the structural properties and the molecular, cellular and systemic activity of active principles. The course also fosters mastery of the scientific research methodology for the critical analysis of data on medicines and knowledge of EU and Italian laws regulating the activities of the pharmaceutical sector. The Single Cycle Degree Course in Pharmacy provides graduates with the necessary competences for accessing the Postgraduate School in Hospital Pharmacy and for further studies of third level (Master Programmes and PhD courses). Students will learn how to master the essential cognitive tools for constant update, as established by current legislations for healthcare professionals. The curriculum offers the subjects and academic activities of class LM-13, including practical training, workshops and professional internships; it also takes into account the time dedicated to personal study or other individual academic activities. Future graduates will also acquire speaking and writing skills in at least one other European language beyond Italian.

Career opportunities

The graduates in Pharmacy can conduct all professional activities provided for by Directive 2005/36/EC; in particular, after the attainment of licensure to practice, as a pharmacist practicing the profession by preparation, control, storage and distribution of medicines in public pharmacies (as director or employee) or private (as owner, director or employee). They also can operate in the parapharmacies or as an sale assistant in commercial shops. It can serve at executive level in hospitals after obtaining the Diploma in Hospital Pharmacy, and operate in public pharmaceutical services and institutions. The graduate in Pharmacy can also operate as a pharmacist responsible (qualified person) for the preparation of dosage forms, the manufacture and testing of medicinal products, in storage, preservation and distribution of medicinal products at the wholesale stage; They can operate in industries or in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutraceutical and food laboratories. In addition, they can disseminate information and advices on medicines, have roles in the administrations of the state, carry out research in institutions of public and private research and teaching in secondary schools.

Knowledge and understanding

The graduate from the Advanced Degree Course named Pharmacy must have acquired the knowledge necessary for the exercise of specific professional activities such as dispensing of medication, counseling the client, pharmacovigilance, verification of safety requirements, quality and efficacy of medicines and health products, as required by the WHO and by national and European level. The graduate has to demonstrate the capacity to understand the problems inherent the drug-regulatory and legislative aspects of the pharmacy. This capability is achieved through a training marked by the initial acquisition of knowledge in the areas of basic science (mathematics, physics, general and inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry) and the subsequent study of the biological disciplines (biology, biochemistry, botany, anatomy, physiology). Drug related (pharmacotherapy, toxicology, pharmacognosy), pharmaceutical chemistry disciplines (medicinal chemistry and toxicology, analysis of medicinal products) and technologycal disciplines (pharmaceutical technology, drug delivery, pharmaceutical legislation), as well as those related to medical conditions (pathology, microbiology) are teached as well. The aim is a fruitful development of the profession as expert of drugs, neutraceuticals, dietary preparations, cosmetics, herbal products and in general, health products. The inclusion in the curriculum of supplementary activities for the organization of the pharmacy as a company, pharmacoeconomics, clinical and biochemical aspects of biotechnological medicines is a prerequisite for the formation of a professional to date and ready to meet the varied demands of real health. The verification of the achievement of expected results will be made through specific exercises and written tests and / or oral.

Applying knowledge and understanding

The graduate in Advanced Degree Course named Pharmacy, thanks to the theoretical-practical multidisciplinary education acquired through laboratory courses and verified by practical tests and written and oral exams, is able to apply the acquired knowledge and skills in the chemical-analytical-technological field to set up galenical products and to control the dosage forms according to official Pharmacopoeias. The specific skills required for monitoring the correct use of medicines and healthcare products and to provide optimal management of Pharmacy are acquired by validating exams of characterizing disciplines related to the pharmacological-toxicological, pharmaceutical chemistry and technology legislative fields.

Making judgements

The graduates in the Advanced Degree Course named Pharmacy must be able to move with professionalism within the various aspects of the pharmaceutical world, knowing in action
decision points with a sense of autonomy and responsibility. In particular, he has the skills-ethical and legal knowledge to dispense medications properly and judiciously taking into account the specific patient needs and recommending to the appropriate self-medication and products health (health foods, cosmetics, health and medical-surgical).

Learning skills

The graduates in the Advanced Degree Course denominated Pharmacy, thanks to their academic programme and the personalexperiences resulting from writing a thesis based on updated subjects and originality, learned a study method that lets them able to independently increase their scientific-cultural background through continuous updating of knowledge governed by current laws (public and private university courses, post graduate education) and through in-depth personal study. Their curricular education lets them undertake courses of the Specialisation School in Hospital Pharmacy and access post-graduate Level II Master Degree and PhD.

Communication skills

The graduate in the Advanced Degree Course denominated Pharmacy has the ability to clearly and willingly dialogue with the patient and competently speak to the doctor or healthcare facility contacts, thus performing an essential connection role. They are able to provide healthcare advice and know how to use, where necessary, a foreign language (English) in relation with users and in managing the pharmacy. The professional in-service training activity, performed full-time for a semester and verified by professionals indicated by the Professional Board, represents the instrument for acquiring these specific competences.

Final examination, if any

The final examination consists in the preparation and the discussion of a dissertation/thesis originally elaborated by the candidate under the guidance of a professor from the Department of Pharmacy, acting as a supervisor. Thesis are generally theoretical, but students can also opt for experimental thesis. The theoretical thesis is the written elaboration of the results obtained from the retrieval and critical evaluation on scientific literature data concerning a specific topic in coherence with the disciplines of the course. The experimental thesis is focused on the original experimental outcomes derived from laboratory activities in coherence with the disciplines of the course. The thesis work can entirely or partially take place outside the Department, in Italian or foreign laboratories or research centres according to the rules established by the Department Council in compliance with the University regulations. The presentation of the thesis is generally supported by multimedia and communication devices and is followed by a series of questions, requests for clarification, critical comments by the designated commission. The theoretical thesis accounts for up to 5 points: up to 3 from the supervisor, up to 2 from the commission. The experimental thesis accounts for up to 8 points: up to 5 from the supervisor and up to 3 from the commission. 2 additional points are awarded to students regularly graduating before the expected deadline (1 point) and/or having a starting average mark of 100 points or higher (1 point). The mark awarded by the supervisor takes into account the attainment of the objectives set by the first three Descriptors of Dublin: knowledge and comprehension skills; capacity of applying the competences and information acquired during the elaboration of the thesis and of demonstrating autonomy of judgement during the entire work. The mark awarded by the commission takes into account the candidate’s capacity of discussing and supporting his/her thesis, his/her communicative skills and clarity demonstrated during the oral presentation of the work.

First cycle degree

Second cycle degree

Single cycle degree course 5 years