1. Chapter 35
Basic Pharmacology

2. Uses of Medications Therapeutic Diagnostic Curative Replacement
Preventive or prophylactic

3. Research and Development
Up to 15 years for drug to make it to market
Understand process of change from health to illness from level of cellular components (targets)
Design chemical compounds and biopharmaceuticals

4. Research and Development
2003: Human Genome Project completed
Pharmacogenomics
Study of response of body to various chemical compounds based on individual’s genetic inheritance

5. Drug Names
Chemical name
Generic name
Trade or brand name

6. History and Sources of Drugs
Drugs from roots, herbs, bark, plant life earliest known pharmaceuticals
Drugs derived from animals and minerals
Produced in laboratories using chemical, biochemical, biotechnologic processes

7. History and Sources of Drugs
Plant sources
Animal sources
Mineral sources
Herbal supplements
Synthetic drugs
Genetically engineered pharmaceuticals

8. Drug Regulations and Legal Classifications of Drugs
Must comply with federal and state laws
Laws govern:
Manufacture
Sale
Possession
Administration
Dispensing
Prescribing of drugs

9. Drug Regulations and Legal Classifications of Drugs
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
Protects public by ensuring purity, strength, and composition of foods, drugs, and cosmetics
Prohibits movement in interstate commerce of altered and misbranded food, drugs, devices, and cosmetics
Enforced by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

10. Drug Regulations and Legal Classifications of Drugs
Controlled Substances Act of 1970
Regulates drugs with potential for abuse or addiction
Controls manufacture, importation, compounding, selling, dealing in, giving away of drugs that have potential for abuse
Controlled substances

11. Drug Regulations and Legal Classifications of Drugs
Controlled Substances Act of 1970
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
Provider registration
Controlled Substances Schedules I–V

12. Drug Regulations and Legal Classifications of Drugs
Controlled Substances Act of 1970
Storage of controlled substances
Separation from other drugs
Well-constructed metal box or compartment with double lock
Separate record book
Counted, verified, recorded at end of workday

13. Drug Regulations and Legal Classifications of Drugs
Controlled Substances Act of 1970
Controlled Substance Disposal Policy (per DEA)
Medical assistant role and responsibilities
Monitor provider’s DEA registration renewal date
Maintain legally designated records and inventories of drugs
Provide security for all drugs, in particular controlled substances

14. Drug Regulations and Legal Classifications of Drugs
Controlled Substances Act of 1970
Medical assistant role and responsibilities
Provide security for prescription pads
Properly destroy expired drugs and document
Know and understand federal and state laws that regulate drugs, including controlled substances and samples

15. Drug Regulations and Legal Classifications of Drugs
Prescription drugs
Also called legend drugs
E-prescribing
Nonprescription drugs
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs
Readily accessible to public
Do not require prescription
(See Patient Education box)

16. Drug Regulations and Legal Classifications of Drugs
Proper disposal of drugs
Expired drugs removed from shelf and destroyed
Expired drugs could be harmful
Pharmacists have medications incinerated
DEA sponsors annual National Take-Back Initiative
(See Procedure 35-1: Proper Disposal of Drugs)

17. Drug Regulations and Legal Classifications of Drugs
Administer, prescribe, dispense
Prescribe: licensed practitioner gives written order to be taken to pharmacist to be filled
Dispense: provide medication as ordered by provider to patient
Administer: give to patient by mouth or injection or other method

18. Drug References and Standards
U.S. Pharmacopeia/National Formulary
List drugs for which standards have been established
Compendium of Drug Therapy
Desk Reference for Nonprescription Drugs
Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR)
Each medication described using manufacturer’s package insert

19. Drug References and Standards
How to use the PDR
Brand name and generic name index, section 2
Classification or category, section 3
Product identification guide, section 4
Product information and alphabetical arrangement by manufacturers, section 5

20. Drug References and Standards
Other reference sources
Refer to another drug reference book
Research medications online; make sure source reliable
Ask pharmacist about drug
Refer to packet insert that comes in drug package

21. Classification of Drugs
Drugs used to treat or prevent disease
Drugs that have principal action on body
Drugs that act on specific body systems or organs
Drug preparation
(See Table 35-1: Common Classifications of Drugs and Their Actions)

22. Principal Actions of Drugs
Act directly on one or more tissues of body
Act on microorganisms
Replace body chemicals
Local action
Remote action
Systemic action
Synergistic action

23. Principal Actions of Drugs
Factors that affect drug action
Absorption
Distribution
Biotransformation
Elimination

24. Principal Actions of Drugs
Undesirable actions of drugs
Side effect
Drug interaction
Adverse reactions

25. Drug Routes Route of administration determined by:
Action of medication on body
Physical and emotional state of patient
Characteristics of drug

26. Drug Routes Oral Parenteral Direct application to skin Sublingual
Buccal
Rectal
Vaginal
Inhalation
Instillation

27. Forms of Drugs Liquids, solids, and semisolids
Tablets and capsules >>
[FIGURE 35-6A and FIGURE 35-6B and FIGURE 35-6C and FIGURE 35-6D]

28. Forms of Drugs Other drug delivery systems Transdermal system
Inhalation medications
Eye-curing lens
Implantable devices

29. Storage and Handling of Medications
Goal: store in original containers in separate room in locked cabinet
Darkness
Refrigeration
Glass containers
Consult drug label for storage
Organization of storage area

30. Storage and Handling of Medications
Please refer to the video library on the Instructor Resources CD to view video “Medical Assistant’s Role in Drug Orders.”

31. Emergency Medications and Supplies
Tray, box, cabinet, crash cart
Emergency drugs
Emergency supplies and equipment
(See Table 35-2: Examples of Common Emergency Drugs)

32. Emergency Medications and Supplies
Bioterrorism
Use of biologic weapons (pathogenic microorganisms)
Most diseases treated with pharmaceutical agents (antibiotics and antitoxoids)
Dangerous disease threats: anthrax, botulism, pneumonic/bubonic plague, smallpox, tularemia

33. Drug Abuse Recognizing symptoms of drug abuse Drug abuse programs
Examples of drug types commonly abused
Effects of drug abuse
Prevention programs
(See Table 35-3: Drugs of Abuse—Uses and Effects)