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FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF
PHARMACOLOGY

Part 1: Understanding the Fundamental

Concepts of Pharmacology

Pharmacology- the branch of medicine

concerned with the uses, effects, and modes of
action of drugs.

Paracelsus- is the Father of Pharmacology.

Branch of Pharmacology

• Pharmacodynamics- What the drug

does to body
• Pharmacokinetics- What the body does
to drug
• Pharmacotherapeutics- The study of the
use of drugs
• Pharmacy-Preparing suitable dosage
forms
• Posology-The study of drug dosage
• Toxicology-The study of nature, effects
and detection of poisons

Dose- Refers to the quantity of drug

administered at one time (ex: 500mg
PARACETAMOL)

Dosage-Refers to the amount of drug that

should be given over time (ex: 500mg
PARACETAMOL three times a day for 3 days)

Drugs- Dutch droog, meaning dry; are chemical

substances that have an effect on living
organisms.

Medicines- therapeutic drugs used in the

treatment of diseases.

Nice to know Story:

Naming Drugs in 3 Ways (Drug
Nomenclature)

1. Chemical Name- are the scientific names

based on the molecular structure of the drug.

The exact formula of the drug. Describes the

drug’s chemical structure. Includes chemical
constitution of the drugs.

2. Trade Names a commercial name granted by

a naming authority for use in marketing
a drug/device product in a particular jurisdiction.

or,

Brand Names- the brand name is developed by Drug Information

the company requesting approval for the drug
and identifies it as the exclusive property of that • Indications: A list of medical
company. When a drug is under patent conditions or diseases for which the
protection, the company markets it under its drug is meant to be used.
brand name. Also known as proprietary name, is • Action: A description of the cellular
chosen by the drug company and is usually a changes that occur as a result of the
registered trademark owned by that specific drug.
manufacturer. • Contraindication: A list of
4. Generic Name- means the name of a genus. conditions for which the drug should
This term is usually used to name a class or not be given.
category of products or services. Common or • Cautions: A list of conditions or
general name assigned to the drug; Is the official types of patients that warrant closer
or non-proprietary name for the drug. observation for a specific side
effects when given the drug.
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• Side Effects and Adverse cause “nervousness”, and “may be

Reactions: A list of possible habit forming”.
unpleasant or dangerous secondary
effects, other than the desired 1952: Durham-Humphrey Amendment to the
effects. (listing is quite extensive) 1938 Act
• Interactions: A list of other drugs or
food that may alter the • The Durham-Humphrey
effect of the drug and usually Amendment to the Food, Drug and
should not be given during the Cosmetic Act of 1938 distinguished
same course of therapy. between drugs that can be sold with
or without prescription and those
SOURCES OF DRUG INFORMATION that should not be refilled without a
new prescription, such as narcotics,
1. Drug Handbook hypnotics, or tranquilizer must be so
2. Physician Desk Reference (PDR) labelled.
3. Packet Insert
4. Nursing Journal 1962: Kefauver-Harris Amendment to the
5. Medical Let 1938 Act
6. MIMS (Monthly Index of Medical
Specialties) • The Kefauver-Harris
amendment to the Food, Drug and
Drug Standards and Legislations Cosmetic Act of 1938 resulted from
the widely publicized thalidomide
Drug Standards tragedy of the 1950s in which
pregnant European woman who
• Are rules set to assure consumers took thalidomide the sedative-
that they get what they pay for. hypnotic thalidomide during the first
• The law says that all preparations trimester of pregnancy gave birth to
called by the same drug name must infants with extreme limb
be of uniform strength, quality and deformities.
purity. • The Kefauver-Harris amendment
tightened controls on drug safety,
1906 Pure Food And Drug Act especially experimental drugs, and
required that adverse reactions and
• First government attempt to contraindications must be labelled
establish consumer protection in the and included in the literature.
manufacture of drugs and foods.
• Required all drugs marketed to 1970: The Controlled Substances Act
meet minimal standards of strength,
purity and quality. (US) • In 1970 The Controlled Substances
Act (CSA) of the Comprehensive
Federal Legislations Drug Abuse Drug Abuse Prevention
and Control Act, Title II, was passed
• The primary purpose of this by Congress.
legislation is to ensure • This act, designed to remedy the
safety. America’s 1st law to escalating problem of drug abuse,
regulate drugs was the Federal included several provisions:
Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906,
which did not include drug 1. The promotion of drug
effectiveness and drug safety. education and research
into the prevention and
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) treatment of drug
dependence;
2. The strengthening of
• Concerned with general safety enforcement authority;
standards in the production of 3. The establishment of
drugs, foods, and cosmetics. treatment and
• Responsible for approval and rehabilitation facilities;
removal of products on the market. 4. The designation of
schedules, or
1938 Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act categories, for
controlled substances
• Establish to prevent adulteration of according to abuse
and tampering with drugs, food and liability.
cosmetics:
• All labels must be accurate and 1978: Drug Regulation Reform Act
must include the generic names.
• All new products must be approved • This reform act shortened the time
by the FDA before public release. in which new drugs could be
• “Warning” labels must be present on developed and marketed.
certain preparations, for example,
“may cause drowsiness”, may 1992: Drug Relation Act
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• The regulation were changed to • Malfeasance. Giving the correct

increase the approval rate of drugs drug but by the wrong route that
used to treat AIDS and cancer. The results in the client’s death.
pharmaceutical companies pay a
user fee at the time they file the
application for the new drug. The
fee is for the FDA drug approval
process.

1997: The Food and Drug Administration

Modernization Act

There are five provisions in this act, which

include the following:

1. review and use of new drugs is

accelerated;
2. drugs can be tested in children before
marketing;
3. clinical trial data is necessary for
experimental drug use for serious or life-
threatening health conditions;
4. drug companies are required to give
information on “off-label” drugs (non-
FDA approved drugs) and their uses
and costs; and
5. drug companies that plan to discontinue
drugs must inform health professionals
and clients at least 6 months before
stopping drug production.

Nurse Practice Act

• Every state has its own laws

regarding drug administration by
nurses.
• Generally, nurses cannot prescribe
or administer drugs without a health
care provider’s order, but state laws
vary. A practicing nurse should
request a copy of the nurse practice
act in the state in which she or he is
licensed.
• In some states, a nurse who
administers a drug without a
physician’s order is in violation of
the nurse practice act and could
have her or his license revoked.
• In a civil court, the nurse can be
prosecuted for giving the wrong
drug or dosage, omitting a drug
dose, or giving the drug by the
wrong route

Nursing Practice Act

• Offenses related to wrong

administration of drugs
• RA 9173- An act providing for a
more responsive nursing profession,
repealing for the purpose of RA no.
7164, otherwise known as "The
Philippine Nursing Act of 1991

The legal terms for these offenses are the

following:

• Misfeasance. Negligence; giving

the wrong drug or drug dose that
results in the client’s death
• Nonfeasance. Omission; omitting a
drug dose that results in the client’s
death