Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- Dutton Park
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 4
- Administrative campus
- Dutton Park
- Coordinating unit
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences School
A foundational course in pharmacy practice and medicines management. You will develop an integrated knowledge of pharmacology, physiology, therapeutics, evidence-based practice and fundamental statistics. You will learn to apply this knowledge to improve health care outcomes. Students will learn approaches to patient-centred care and a process for dispensing medicines safely and effectively.
PHRM1102 is designed to develop foundational pharmacy practice knowledge and skills to improve patient outcomes. This includes:
Unit 1: Developing a process to dispense prescriptions safely and effectively.
Unit 2: Understanding and applying evidence-based practice and statistical knowledge.
Unit 3 and 4: Developing a broad understanding of the pharmacology, physiology, and therapeutics focussing on conditions such as common cold, allergic rhinitis and pain; and be able to effectively consult patients during over-the-counter presentations using patient-centred care principles.
This is an introductory course in the 'Pharmacy Practice and Medicines Management' stream leading to PHRM2101, PHRM2102, PHRM3101, PHRM3102, PHRM4101 andﾠPHRM4102 in later years of the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours).
Course requirements
Restrictions
Only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Lisa Kaminskas
Dr Lachlan Rash
Dr Ian Wood
Tutor
Ms Ashley Pressey
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The course aims to develop in first-year pharmacy students foundational practice knowledge and skills related to the profession. This includes dispensing prescriptions safely and effectively; understanding and applying evidence-based practice knowledge; understanding of the pharmacology, physiology and therapeutics focussing on conditions such as common cold, allergic rhinits and pain and being able to effectively consult patients during over-the-counter presentations.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Apply physiological, pathophysiological, pharmacological and clinical knowledge regarding the following conditions and their management: Common cold, allergic rhinitis and pain.
LO2.
Assess ambulatory conditions and consult with consumers to develop an appropriate management plan
LO3.
Justify reasons for decisions by appealing to relevant ethical, legal and professional frameworks relating to pharmacy practice.
LO4.
Demonstrate a process for dispensing medicines safely, effectively and legally
LO5.
Demonstrate a patient-centred focus, assisting the patient to understand therapeutic goals and supporting their ability to engage in appropriate self-management.
LO6.
Identify the roles of pharmacists and other members of the interprofessional collaborative care team
LO7.
Demonstrate appropriate teamwork behaviours.
LO8.
Apply foundational skills in evidence-based practice and statistics to pharmacy practice.
LO9.
Develop critical thinking skills by evaluating information from reputable sources; interpreting evidence, and making and justifying inferences and judgments.
LO10.
Reflect on your development as a health professional to identify gaps in and challenges to your learning and develop personalised development plans to overcome them.
LO11.
Display effective oral and written communication skills.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Participation/ Student contribution, Quiz |
Weekly Engagement Tasks
|
20% |
ET Week 1: Can AI replace pharmacist dispensing? (2%) 4/08/2025 2:00 pm ET Week 3: PICO activity (2%) 15/08/2025 2:00 pm ET Week 4 Online Quiz (1%): Available 9am Mon 18/8/2025 until 26/08/2025 2:00 pm ET Week 5 Online Quiz (1%): Available 9am Mon 25/8/2025 until 2/09/2025 2:00 pm ET Week 6 Online Quiz (2%): Available 9am Mon 1/9/2025 until 9/09/2025 2:00 pm ET Week 7: EBM practice (2%) 12/09/2025 2:00 pm ET Week 8: Practical Report (2%) 26/09/2025 3:00 pm ET Week 8/9 Online Quiz (2%): Available 10am Wed 24/9/2025 until 7/10/2025 3:00 pm ET Week 10: Patient cases week 10 (2%) 10/10/2025 2:00 pm ET Week 11: Patient cases week 11 (2%) 17/10/2025 2:00 pm ET Week 12: Patient cases week 12 (2%) 24/10/2025 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Extended Written (EBM) Assignment | 15% |
19/09/2025 2:00 pm |
| Participation/ Student contribution |
Dispensing Portfolio
|
Hurdle to pass the course |
27/10/2025 2:00 pm |
| Reflection | Dispensing Portfolio Reflection | 10% |
27/10/2025 2:00 pm |
| Examination |
On-campus Invigilated Exam
|
30% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
| Examination |
Oral consultation exam (OSCE)
|
25% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
The OSCEs will be held over two days during the EOS exam period. Please refer to the oral consultation exam timetable on Learn.UQ (Blackboard) for your OSCE timeslot. |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Weekly Engagement Tasks
- Team or group-based
- Online
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Participation/ Student contribution, Quiz
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
ET Week 1: Can AI replace pharmacist dispensing? (2%) 4/08/2025 2:00 pm
ET Week 3: PICO activity (2%) 15/08/2025 2:00 pm
ET Week 4 Online Quiz (1%): Available 9am Mon 18/8/2025 until 26/08/2025 2:00 pm
ET Week 5 Online Quiz (1%): Available 9am Mon 25/8/2025 until 2/09/2025 2:00 pm
ET Week 6 Online Quiz (2%): Available 9am Mon 1/9/2025 until 9/09/2025 2:00 pm
ET Week 7: EBM practice (2%) 12/09/2025 2:00 pm
ET Week 8: Practical Report (2%) 26/09/2025 3:00 pm
ET Week 8/9 Online Quiz (2%): Available 10am Wed 24/9/2025 until 7/10/2025 3:00 pm
ET Week 10: Patient cases week 10 (2%) 10/10/2025 2:00 pm
ET Week 11: Patient cases week 11 (2%) 17/10/2025 2:00 pm
ET Week 12: Patient cases week 12 (2%) 24/10/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11
Task description
These ongoing engagement tasks occur periodically throughout semester and may include (but are not limited to) online activities, discussions and quizzes, group presentations, and Practical reports.
The due date, nature, and weighting of each engagement task will be explicitly stated in advance on the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) and UQ Extend.
Submission guidelines
See Learn.UQ (Blackboard) for submission instructions for each task.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Extended Written (EBM) Assignment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
19/09/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L08, L09, L10, L11
Task description
This assignment focuses on applying skills learnt during weeks 3-7 within the “Evidence based medicine (EBM) and statistics” component of PHRM1102.
1. You will be randomly allocated a published randomized trial of a drug (e.g. from BMJ, Lancet, NEJM, JAMA)
2. Provide a structured review of the paper (max 1000 words)
The assignment is divided into 3 Sections
- Study Components;
- Appraisal of Study; and
- Findings from the Statistical Analysis and Contribution to the Literature.
Each broad section is weighted differently and contains multiple questions. Make sure you respond to all questions related to your allocated paper. Students are required to work individually to complete this piece of assessment.
Please refer to Learn.UQ (Blackboard) for further information and marking criteria pertaining to this assessment item.
Use of generative AI is not necessary to complete the assignment, and uncritical use may hinder your ability to meet the learning objectives. You must appropriately acknowledge whether or not you used AI at the beginning of your assignment under the study title. For e.g.
- General AI Use Acknowledgement: This assignment was developed with the assistance of AI tools, including [ChatGPT/Grammarly/Other AI], which were used for brainstorming, grammar correction, and structural organisation. All final content, analysis, and arguments are my own.
- You did not use AI Acknowledgement: This assignment was completed without the use of AI tools.
AI use: You must be able to provide documentation on request that demonstrates your process and contribution - Keep a record of all prompts you have entered and all AI-assisted outputs that have been generated, also include the AI tool used (e.g. Copilot, Chat-GPT). You don’t need to submit this documentation with the assignment, but you may be asked to provide this documentation to demonstrate the process you undertook.
Submission guidelines
Upload your completed report to the link in the Assessments section at Learn.UQ (Blackboard)
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Dispensing Portfolio
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- Hurdle to pass the course
- Due date
27/10/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04, L05, L07, L09, L10, L11
Task description
During weeks 3-7 (inclusive), there will be 2-hour Thursday dispensing practicals (see PHRM1102 timetable) where participation is compulsory to complete the assessment. Students will complete approximately 8 Learn.UQ (Blackboard) dispensing questions/exercises per week. The dispensing exercises will consist of either:
1) A script (only). The student must assess whether the script is legal and whether the dosage is appropriate for the patient
- If the script is not legal and/or the dosage is not appropriate, the script is not to be dispensed
- If the script is legal and the dosage is appropriate for the patient, the script is to be dispensed using FRED to produce a dispensing label. The dispensing label with appropriate ancillary labels will be inserted in the “Dispensing/Checking Practice Sheet”. Check your label, and have your peer check your dispensing label, then take a photo of this sheet (containing the label), and upload the photo into Learn.UQ (Blackboard) filepath: Assessment --> Dispensing Portfolio Assessment --> Dispensing Portfolio - Label upload. The dispensing label will be marked by your tutor.
2) A script and dispensing label (with ancillary labels). The student must assess whether the script is legal, whether the label is legal and meets professional standards, and whether the prescribed dosage is appropriate for the patient.
This suite of dispensing exercises/questions during the dispensing practicals forms the Dispensing Portfolio. Answers are marked as correct/incorrect. Re-submitted dispensing labels containing errors from Weeks 3–7 will only be re-marked if you have not met the Dispensing Portfolio (DP) hurdle requirement after Week 7. See Learn.UQ (Blackboard) for more information about this assessment.
Students will write a reflection on their dispensing learning experience – See Assessment “Dispensing Portfolio Reflection”.
Hurdle requirements
Students are required to achieve a minimum number (15) of correct dispensing exercises and submit a minimum number (5) of compliant dispensing labels (meet professional and legal standards) in their dispensing portfolio by the due date to pass the course.Submission guidelines
Completed dispensing questions/exercises and dispensing labels will be submitted through Learn.UQ (Blackboard). Please refer to Learn.UQ (Blackboard) for further information.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Dispensing Portfolio Reflection
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
27/10/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04, L05, L09, L10, L11
Task description
Students will be required to write a reflection of their dispensing experience during completion of their Dispensing Portfolio.
Students must meet the Dispensing Portfolio hurdle requirement before submitting a Dispensing Portfolio Reflection. If the Dispensing Portfolio hurdle requirement is not met, students will not receive any marks for the Dispensing Portfolio Reflection.
The Dispensing Portfolio Reflection is based on the SEAL reflection template, and requires students to reflect on their development of dispensing skills while completing the exercises in the Dispensing Portfolio. Please refer to Learn.UQ (Blackboard) for further information and the marking criteria for this assessment item.
Use of generative AI is not necessary to complete this reflection, and uncritical use may hinder your ability to meet the learning objectives. You must appropriately acknowledge whether or not you used AI at the beginning of the reflection assignment under your student name within the template. For e.g.
- General AI Use Acknowledgement: This reflection was developed with the assistance of AI tools, including [ChatGPT/Grammarly/Other AI], which were used for grammar correction. All final content are my own.
- You did not use AI Acknowledgement: This reflection was completed without the use of AI tools.
AI use: You must be able to provide documentation on request that demonstrates your process and contribution - Keep a record of all prompts you have entered and all AI-assisted outputs that have been generated, also include the AI tool used (e.g. Copilot, Chat-GPT). You don’t need to submit this documentation with the reflection, but you may be asked to provide this documentation to demonstrate the process you undertook.
Submission guidelines
Upload your completed reflection within ePortfolio using the link in the Assessments section at Learn.UQ (Blackboard).
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
On-campus Invigilated Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L05, L06, L08
Task description
This is a CLOSED book, written, on-campus invigilated exam. Students will be completing and submitting the exam using their own device (laptop).
The final, deferred and supplementary exams will be run using the Inspera eAssessment platform. The exam may contain a mixture of question types including multiple choice questions (MCQ), multiple response questions, matching/pairing, calculations, hotspot, drag and drop, graphic matching, and short answer questions (SAQs). These questions will assess content from UQ Extend, practicals and online quiz questions. The final exam will assess knowledge (content) and application of learnt knowledge. For information regarding the examination marking criteria, please consult Learn.UQ (Blackboard).
The exam will be undertaken via the Inspera eAssessment platform (as will any deferred or supplementary written exams).
Go to the Inspera Assessment Information page link to navigate to the Library Services web page which provides further information on: how to access Inspera, on-campus invigilated exams in Inspera, device requirements, familiarisation opportunities, submitting assessment and access to the Student Laptop Scheme and short-term laptop-loans.
Link for Inspera Assessment Information page:
Inspera Assessment (Original) - eLearning - University of Queensland
The exam includes 10 minutes planning time. Students are encouraged to use this time to settle, read questions and commence working if they wish.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Materials | Pen/stationary |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Students will be completing and submitting the exam using their own device (laptop).
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Oral consultation exam (OSCE)
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
The OSCEs will be held over two days during the EOS exam period. Please refer to the oral consultation exam timetable on Learn.UQ (Blackboard) for your OSCE timeslot.
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L05, L06, L11
Task description
This is a face-to-face school-based exam. Students will communicate with an examiner acting as a patient (simulated patient) who presents to the pharmacy to discuss symptoms or requests a specific product i.e. an over-the-counter (OTC) scenario. The oral consultation exam is a 10 minute consultation. Students should be professionally dressed for the oral consultation exam (i.e. something that you would wear to a job interview). All students must arrive before the start of the session to sign in with their student ID. Students will remain in a holding room until they are called to the consultation station.
At the consultation station you will meet the simulated patient and:
- Gather patient information
- Determine the therapeutic goal/medication management plan for the patient. This could include i) referring the patient ii) referring the patient + offer OTC medicine or iii) offer OTC medicine
- Discuss your decision and overall management plan with the patient +/- counsel on medication use
- Provide relevant lifestyle advice (if appropriate)
Further information and the marking rubric will be provided on Learn.UQ (Blackboard) and consultation practice will occur in tutorials during weeks 8-13. It is important to attend tutorials during weeks 8-13 to ensure you develop skills required to effectively consult patients which will be assessed in the oral consultation exam.
This Oral Consultation Exam (OSCE) will be recorded and retained as per university policy. The recording will be stored in a secure manner and will only be accessed if required for the purposes of moderation of marking; provision of feedback to the student; and/or re-marking following a successful re-mark application.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of available marks to pass the OSCE.Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 10 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Materials | Further information will be provided on Learn.UQ (Blackboard) |
| Exam platform | Other |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Submission: This is a School-based exam and will be held at Dutton Park campus.
Resubmission: Students who fail to reach 50% of marks in the oral consultation exam will be offered ONE opportunity to re-sit. Students will be notified on Learn.UQ (Blackboard) if they failed and are offered a resit. The resits will be held during the week following final exams. The maximum mark that can be attained from the resit is 50% (ie. 12.5% out of 25%) for the oral consultation exam component of PHRM1102. Students who are offered a resit for the Oral Exam and do not attend will not be permitted to reschedule the assessment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Calculator | Casio FX82 series or UQ approved (labelled) calculator only | own item needed |
| Laptop computer | You will be required to bring your own laptop computer for the end of semester invigilated in-person exam | own item needed |
| Smart phone | You will be required to bring your smart phone during the dispensing portfolio practicals. | own item needed |
Additional learning resources information
UQ Extend will provide online learning content and activities for PHRM1102. UQ Extend can be accessed via a link on Learn.UQ (Blackboard).
Zoom may be usedﾠin PHRM1102. When using Zoom you will require a working camera and microphone, and must access Zoom using your UQ account.
You will useﾠMicrosoft Teamsﾠfor collaborating with colleagues and working on Engagement Tasks together throughout the course. A guide for linking to the PHRM1102ﾠTeam is provided on the course Blackboard site.
You will be provided with access to a Microsoft Word file to download, titled 'PMF'. This is your Personal Medicines Formulary that can be used throughout PHRM1102 and following courses as a personal electronic notebook resource. The instructions for downloading and using this file can be found in Blackboard and UQ Extend.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks |
Seminar |
Seminar Topics Seminars will run for 2 hours within the following weeks: Weeks 1-2: Dispensing and Regulations 1&2 Weeks 3-7: Evidence-based medicine and statistics Week 8: Physiology and Pharmacology refresher Week 9: Pharmacodynamics and the ANS Week 10: Common cold and allergic rhinitis Week 11: Pain and primary dysmenorrhoea Week 12: Headaches, sprains/strains and Infection Week 13: Course Feedback + Oral/Written exam info Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05, L06, L08, L09 |
Tutorial |
'TUT1' Topics - Dutton Park Campus TUT1 will run for 2 hours within the following weeks: Week 2: Dispensing Portfolio practice Week 8: OTC Oral Consultations - Information Gathering Week 9: OTC Oral Consultations - Counselling and Patient Centred Care Week 10: Oral Consultations - Diagnosing and Clinical Decision Making Week 11: Practice OTC Patient Centred Consultations - Primary Dysmenorrhea and Cold/Allergy Week 12: Practice OTC Patient Centred Consultations - Pain related to headache & sprains and strains Week 13: Practice OTC Patient Centred Consultations - Revision/Practice OTC Cases Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05, L06, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
|
Practical |
'PRA2' Topics - St Lucia Campus PRA2 will run for 2 hours within the following weeks: Week 3 – Statistics component Week 4 – Statistics component Week 5 – Statistics component Week 6 – Statistics component Week 7 – Statistics component Learning outcomes: L08, L09, L10 |
|
Applied Class |
Applied Class Applied Classes will run for 1 hour before each weekly seminar, except for a one-time Week 9 Friday seminar. A 1-hour Applied Class session (AC) is scheduled for students to allow for small group work to complete UQ Extend content, Engagement Tasks and Assessment. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
|
Practical |
'PRA1' Topics - Dutton Park Campus PRA1 will run for 2 hours within the following weeks: Week 3 - Dispensing Portfolio Week 4 - Dispensing Portfolio Week 5 - Dispensing Portfolio Week 6 - Dispensing Portfolio Week 7 - Dispensing Portfolio Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L05, L07, L09, L10, L11 |
|
Not Timetabled |
UQ Extend: self-directed learning UQ Extend will be used to deliver the majority of the taught content for PHRM1102. This content is self-directed, and it is expected that you will engage with the relevant content before the Seminar discussing it. The approximate time allocation for each week's content is provided within UQ Extend. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L08, L09, L10 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.