Pharmacology for Clinical Research

3 units

This course presents the basic principles of pharmacology and their application to clinical research management to help ensure safe and effective management of drug trials. We will study the foundations of pharmacology, including the principles of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, drug binding sites and interactions, and drug development. We also will examine pharmacological problems with special populations, and the emergent area of pharmacogenetics. In the second half of the course we will review important drug classes, with an emphasis on understanding Investigator's Brochures, including drug action and place in therapy, pharmacology, toxicity, chemical properties, and kinetics.