Special Considerations in Pharmacotherapeutics – Substance Use Disorders

1 credits · Undergraduate

PHAR 2042 is a focused pharmacotherapeutics course module relating to the background and management of substance use disorders. Students will be introduced to the basic concepts of substance use disorders including the scope of the problem, the pharmacists’ role in management and education, as well as legal and ethical considerations. Assessment and management of commonly used substances including alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, stimulants, hallucinogens, volatile solvents, performance enhancing drugs, and cannabinoids will be addressed. Skills related to patient assessment and motivational interviewing will be introduced and applied. Relevant scope of practice activities such as minor aliments assessment, prescribing, and smoking cessation counselling will be discussed. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the stigma people who use substances face, and the potentially challenging scenarios clinicians may face. Resources and programs available for the management of substance use disorders will be reviewed, and the voices and perspectives of people with lived experience of substance use and marginalization will be included. PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of all first-year Pharmacy classes. FORMATS: Lecture