Accessibility statement

Medicines Management - HEA00111M

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  • Department: Health Sciences
  • Module co-ordinator: Mr. Mike Kitching
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module summary

This module aims to introduce the principles of safe and effective medicines management within clinical practice. Students will acquire an enhanced knowledge and understanding of pharmacology and its application in the their specific area of practice with an appreciation of both the evidence base and the legal and professional frameworks.

Professional requirements

Professional registration with either the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) or Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC).

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2023-24 to Summer Term 2023-24

Module aims

Students studying this module will develop an enhanced knowledge and understanding of the principles of safe and effective medicines management within clinical practice. They will acquire an enhanced knowledge and understanding of pharmacological principles and their application to the students specific area of clinical practice, with a critical awareness of the evidence base and legal and professional frameworks within which they operate.

Module learning outcomes

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of the pharmacological principles and their application to medicines prescribed, supplied and/ or administered in practice.
  2. Demonstrate critical awareness of the current legal and professional frameworks for accountability and responsibility in medicines management.
  3. Work within clinical governance frameworks and critically evaluate medicines management practice through audit and personal development.
  4. Critically examine the broader influences on medicines management, including roles and relationships to others involved in the prescribing, supplying and administering of medicines.
  5. Demonstrate an enhanced knowledge of the principles of medicines optimisation.
  6. Critically evaluate their skills in patient assessment and the monitoring of response to therapies, including referral of the patient where appropriate.
  7. Identify and critically appraise sources of evidence-based information and guidance and discuss how these can be used to underpin best practice in medicines management.

Module content

This module offers the opportunity to gain a sound knowledge and understanding of the principles of evidenced-based medicines management. The module will build on previous knowledge and understanding of pharmacology allowing development within the students area of practice. Consideration will be given to the mechanism for supply and administration of medicines which includes Patient Group Directions (PGD's) and Patient Specific Directions (PSD's). Adverse drug reactions, drug interactions and polypharmacy will also be discussed. Ethical principles, professional accountability, cost effectiveness and person-centred care will be integral within this module in order to facilitate students development, knowledge and skills in safe medicines management.

The module has relevance for any professional who works with patients/ clients taking medicines whether they are prescribed or non-prescribed. As such, it has relevance for a wide range of professions allied to medicine for example, dieticians, nurses, operating department practitioners, paramedics and physiotherapists.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

Non-compensatable

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Written feedback for the summative assessment is provided on the standard proforma within the timescale specified in the programme handbook.

Indicative reading

  • Health & Care Professionals Council (2012) Standards of conduct, performance and ethics. Health & Care Professionals. London.
  • Nursing & Midwifery Council. (2015) The Code. Professional standards of practice ad behaviour for nurses and midwives. Nursing and Midwifery Council. London
  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2015) Medicines optimisation: the safe and effective use of medicines to enable best possible outcomes. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. London.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.