University of Sunderland

Medicines Management

* Exceptions may apply.  Please see Fees and Finance for further information.

Introduction

This one-year MSc programme, formerly known as MSc Pharmacotherapy and Medicines Management (2006-09) has been specially designed for international and home/EU pharmacists who wish to extend their knowledge and skills in pharmacotherapy, medicines management and pharmacy practice in the UK. It requires attendance in class at Sunderland Pharmacy School and is most suited for full-time students. Please see below to look at frequently asked questions by most applicants.

The term, 'medicines management' was officially coined in the UK by the working group of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) in 1998. It generally refers to a practice that enables health care professionals and patients to make the best possible use of medicines by maximising all benefits and minimising relevant risk. This covers all aspects of medication use, i.e. prescribing, dispensing, administering, monitoring and patient's drug use with adherence. Medicines Management is therefore an important part of prevention and management of disease. Pharmacists and other health care professionals have a key role in improving patient outcomes through medicines management. This process includes care plans for recommendation of drug therapy, monitoring for efficacy and safety of medicines use and educating patients, family and carers in order to improve medication adherence. There are many websites and sources of information about Medicines Management, such as the National Prescribing Centre (www.npc.co.uk) and National Health Service (NHS, www.nhs.uk).

In the area of pharmacy practice, medicines management is equivalent to pharmaceutical care that was originated in the US. Thus, this course focuses on medication use and pharmaceutical care provision for patients, but it does not involve the management of drug products, procurement, human resources or financial issues that are usually taught in an MBA or pharmacy management programme. In fact, this programme aims to:

• enable students to develop clinical knowledge base, expertise and skills in evidence-based practice and specialist therapeutic areas;
• provide them with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of disease processes and the principles underlying the rationale use of medicines in the treatment of disease;
• educate them to develop research skills and use these skills in the design and implementation of research projects;
• To develop research skills and to enable students to use these skills in the design and implementation of research projects;
• encourage students to become independent learners with the necessary skills to undertake continuing professional development throughout their careers in pharmacy, medicines management or as prescribers.
• prepare them for their employment in medicines management and PhD study
• widen access to postgraduate study in management of medicines.

Please look at the course content below that enables students to achieve the objectives.

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Course Content

In order to achieve the overall objectives, you need to complete five compulsory modules, or 180 credits, within one year, i.e. from mid-September to mid-September in the following year. These modules include:

• Pharmacotherapy 1 (PHMM51, 60 credits). The module will help you better understand major pharmacotherapeutic topics (e.g. CVS and GI pharmacotherapy), diagnostics, pharmacokinetics, disease management and medicines management. It will take place in Term 1 (September - January in the following year)
• Pharmacotherapy 2 (PHMM52, 30 credits). Like Pharmacotherapy 1, this module includes minor pharmacotherapeutic topics, such as paediatric pharmacotherapy, oncology and palliative care. All teaching sessions will be arranged in Term 2 (February - April)
• Pharmacy and Medicines Management (PHMM53, 30 credits). The topics of this embrace UK and international pharmacy practice, evidence-based practice, clinical practice guidelines, pharmacoeconomics and public health. This module, which is usually provided in Term 2 (February - May), will link up your basic knowledge with medicines management and related issues. Additionally, you will have an opportunity to visit to hospital and community and then finish up relevant coursework. A certificate of good conduct, which can be obtained from Police Department in your country, is therefore required for a criminal record check before your study visit.
• Research Methods (PHMM45, 30 credits). You will learn about research methodology (i.e. qualitative and qualitative research) and statistics in Term 1 (September - January in the following year).
• Research Investigation (PHMM48, 30 credits). You will need to choose a research topic of interest and carry out the study under the supervision of a designated supervisor from Terms 1 to 3 (October to August). To complete this module, you need to present your research proposal and on-going project, and have a viva (or oral examination) after the report submisson

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Entry Requirements

An applicant for this programme should meet the following requirements:

1. Hold a pharmacy degree with at least a lower-second class honour (> 60%) or equivalent, e.g. a grade-point average (GPA) > 2.75 (max 400)
2. Where the applicant's language is not English, provide evidence of English proficiency, i.e. an average IELTS score > 6.0 or equivalent

Although professional experience is not required for this course, we would like you to have at least one-year experience in pharmacy practice, e.g. hospital or community pharmacy placements or teaching in the area of clinical or pharmacy practice. This experience will help you better contribute to group discussions, share ideas with your classmates and complete all coursework with good results and feedback.

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Fees and Finance

The fees for this course are as specified in the table at the top of the page.

Please note that different fees apply to students studying for "Equivalent or Lower Qualifications" (ELQs). For more information about ELQs, please see the page Information for applicants who already have an HE Qualification.

For information about University scholarships and bursaries please see the page Fees and Finance.

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Teaching and Assessment

In this programme, teaching is through lectures, group discussions, workshops and seminars, self-study, directed study and study visits to hospital and community pharmacy. Most modules are taught by staff from the University of Sunderland, but some topics are delivered by clinical specialists. Students will use a mixture of paper and internet-based materials (distance learning units or workbooks) covering all aspects of the syllabus, while much of the reference material is provided and guidance as to the sources of other material is detailed.

The programme uses a wide range of assessment methods to ensure that you experience a variety of assessment techniques. These embrace:

• Examination questions, either in unseen or open-book examinations, will be used to determine factual knowledge and to test both factual knowledge and your ability to develop and present logically constructed answers.
• Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is used to assess your ability to pass a mock clinic style test and role-play communication situations.
• Coursework is used to include various assessments used to assess your ability to write reports and to construct longer presentations (essays) as well as short concise pharmaceutical care plans and other assimilative and evaluative work.
• Oral presentations will test your ability to organise the work, prepare visual material and present the findings in a timely manner and a controlled environment.

At the end of the programme, students will receive an MSc based on the criteria as follows:

Pass
A Master's degree is awarded for the achievement of 180 credits with all average pass marks of 40%.

Merit
A Master's degree with Merit will be awarded to those who achieve 180 credits with at least 60% in either Pharmacotherapy 1 or Research Investigation, but the other must be at least 70%.

Distinction
A Master's degree with Distinction will be awarded to those who achieve 180 credits with at least 70% in both Pharmacotherapy 1 and Research Investigation.

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Career Opportunities

Different students have different expectations of this programme and purposes in life. With an MSc, they may go for one of the following options.

Starting a new life at home.
Most students graduated from this course will return home and apply their knowledge and skills acquired from the study to improve their work and pharmacy practice in the home country. They may resume their jobs or find new posts in the area of hospital and community pharmacy, or related fields, e.g. pharmaceutical advisers, clinical research associates, healthcare research, regulatory affairs and teaching. Some students may apply for a PhD programme or other courses of interest.

Finding a part-time or full-time job in the UK.
Based on the new British visa regulation, students will be able to work in the UK with a post-study visa for two years. Some students opt for part-time jobs as pharmacy assistants in community pharmacy or hospital, researchers in national and international drug companies, or scientific officers in MHRA and regulatory affairs.

Applying for another MSc or PhD research in the UK.
Few students do their second postgraduate courses or further their study in PhD programmes with or without scholarships.

Applying for an OSPAP programme.
Those who prefer to get registered as British pharmacists will pursue MSc/PG Diploma Pharmaceutical Science (OSPAP) programme and go through one-year pre-registration training.

On the whole, with this MSc degree you can either apply your knowledge and skills to your work or further your study to achieve your career goal.

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Supplemental Information

to help you make a better decision on your application and study in this programme, please follow the checklist below.

Plan for your MSc study at least one year beforehand and look for all relevant information about postgraduate study in the UK.

Read the details of this programme, frequently asked questions and course content.

If you would like to apply for this course check the Entry Requirements first and then your financial situation. Look at the tuition fee for the comming academic year as shown above and check with the Admissions (admission@sunderland.ac.uk) if you are eligible for 15% academic scholarship. Please also take into account your daily expenses and rent and accommodation.

Apply online by clicking the button 'Apply for this course' above or through the overseas agent in your own country by 31st July.

If you are offered a place for study, the Admissions Department will send you a conditional offer letter. Please reply as soon as possible. In case you meet all requirements, you will be issued an unconditional offer that will be part of your documents for visa application.

The University will send you a welcome pack with a Pre-enrolment Guide so that you can upload your photo and get all relevant information about the registration and induction programme.

Remember to bring your certificate of good conduct, which you can get from the Police Department in your own country, so that we will be able to deal with your criminal clearance for the study visit. Without the certificate, you may not be allowed to take the module PHMM53 and need to wait for a year to sort out your criminal record check.

Arrive in Sunderland a couple of days before the registration takes place and meet with the Programme Leader. A registration date for this MSc programme is usually arranged between 20th and 24th September every year. Check the latest date of registration in your welcome pack.

Attend the indiction sessions that will normally occur at the start of Term 1 or approximately 2-4 days after the registration. This orientation is of paramount importance, as it will prepare you for the MSc study and inform you of the programme timetables. Please do not miss these classes for any reasons.

If you think you cannot arrive in Sunderland before the registration date, please contact the Programme at msc.mm@sunderland.ac.uk Late arrival without informing the Programme will not be accepted.

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Facilities

Students have access to the full use of library and all other University resources and facilities, including email and WebCt. A specialist resource room is available for students with many set texts and information sources and a computer with internet access.

*World Class Web/Design Tools*

The University of Sunderland has made a significant investment in providing students with access to the latest releases of Adobe products.

Selected PCs within the St Peter's and Murray Libraries have been pre-loaded with the Creative Suite 4 (CS4) Adobe Design Premium Suite for your exclusive use.

CS4 Creative includes key products such as Indesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver as well as Photoshop and a range of many others.

Further information is available from:

http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/creativesuite/design/
For information regarding locations of PC or Macs within your own faculty that have access to Adobe products please contact your Faculty IT Support.

If you are interested in purchasing Adobe products for your own PC/Mac Adobe offer significant savings for student purchases via any of its approved re-sellers.

Please visit:

http://www.student-software.co.uk/

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Related Courses

• Pharmacy
• Clinical Pharmacy

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