1. Elizabeth Davis Department of Pharmacology Monash University, Australia Drugs & Society a new introductory unit in pharmacology

2. Student cohort Science (B.Sc.) Biomedical Science (B.Biomed.Sci.) Behavioural Neuroscience (B.BNSc.) Combined Science Degrees –Science/Law –Science/Economics –Science/Education

4. Underlying aims emphasize the relevance of pharmacology to everyday life highlight controversial issues encourage students to appreciate the lack of ‘black & white’

5. What does the unit involve? Lectures Practicals (3 hands-on) CAL Exercises / Web-based exercise Assessment tasks (x2)

6. Lecture topics

7. Introduction to Drug Action (6 lectures) Targets of drug action Drug-receptor interactions Principles of neurotransmission Endogenous mediators Factors influencing drug action Drugs & Society (9 lectures) Introduction Foods and beverages as drugs Herbal medicines Over the counter medications Drugs & Allergies Drugs & Sex Drugs & Infections Drugs & cardiovascular disease Chemicals as toxins

8. Drugs of Abuse (9 lectures) Psychological aspects of drug abuse Social aspects of drug abuse Opium & related drugs Alcohol – the demon drink Psychotropic drugs Sedatives & hypnotics Nicotine & cannabis Abuse of drugs in sport Drug Development (6 lectures) Serendipity in drug discovery Drugs from natural sources Rational drug design Clinical drug development Pharmacoeconomics

9. Assessment tasks

10. 1. DRUGS IN THE MEDIA Assignment Part 1: Create a “Drugs in the Media” portfolio –collect newspaper articles dealing with drug/chemical related issues Part 2 Analyse one of these articles – background – how is it reported? Is it accurate?

11. 2. Student Debate Groups of 4-6 prepare arguments for and against topics Examples of topics: ?Interest group (eg tobacco/alcohol industry) funding of drug research leads to biased outcomes ?Pharmaceutical companies should be allowed direct-to- consumer marketing ?Roadside sobriety tests should be performed for drugs other than alcohol ?Generic substitution is best for the patient and society

12. Student Feedback 5 4 3 2 1 % responding 5 4 3 2 1 % responding 5 4 3 2 1 % responding 5 4 3 2 1 % responding 5 4 3 2 1

13. 2000 : class of 100 students  66 went on to study pharmacology in 3 rd year 2001 : class of 108 students  63 have so far gone on to study pharmacology in 3 rd year % responding 5 4 3 2 1

14. Conclusions Drugs and Society provides an introduction to pharmacology that is of relevance to students with a range of backgrounds and a variety of intended career paths