Pharmacology and medicines management
Pharmacology: the scientific analysis of the properties and characteristics
of drugs.
- The actions and effects of the chemicals on the body and individuals
- Understanding of dosage, therapeutic range and side effects
- The recognition that all individuals are different and a PCA is
essential when medications are administered and prescribed
Professional and legal context
Medicines are legally available through three routes.
1. Through prescription
2. Pharmacy only products
3. General sales (in the medicines aisle in a supermarket/pharmacy)
NMC: nurses are required to undertake safe and informed assessment, risk
assessment, administration of medication, monitoring of side effects and
provide health education for people receiving medicines
professional ethical issues
autonomy: a person’s right to make informed decisions without the
interference from others (within legal boundaries)
requirements for informed consent include
- Appropriate information disclosure
- Understanding of the information by the recipient
- Consent being free and voluntary
- The decision is to be made with competence
A covert administration only takes place when
- The person is actively refusing medication and is considered to lack
mental capacity (DOLS)
Biopsychosocial factors affecting adherence
Person
, Medicines:
Polypharmacy,
frequency and
timing of doses,
complex dose
regime, adverse
effects,
extended
duration of
Ages of pharmacology
Natural substances
- Alcohol
- Atropine, curare, opium and cannabis, coca, digitalis, penicillin
Synthetic substances
- Mass production
Produced from natural substances and novel synthetic
compounds
- Development of narcotics
Insulin, antibiotics, anticonvulsants, psychotropic drugs, anti-
cancer drugs in C20
Biotechnology
- Production of endogenous proteins and peptides using biotech
techniques.
Administration routes
Pharmacology: the scientific analysis of the properties and characteristics
of drugs.
- The actions and effects of the chemicals on the body and individuals
- Understanding of dosage, therapeutic range and side effects
- The recognition that all individuals are different and a PCA is
essential when medications are administered and prescribed
Professional and legal context
Medicines are legally available through three routes.
1. Through prescription
2. Pharmacy only products
3. General sales (in the medicines aisle in a supermarket/pharmacy)
NMC: nurses are required to undertake safe and informed assessment, risk
assessment, administration of medication, monitoring of side effects and
provide health education for people receiving medicines
professional ethical issues
autonomy: a person’s right to make informed decisions without the
interference from others (within legal boundaries)
requirements for informed consent include
- Appropriate information disclosure
- Understanding of the information by the recipient
- Consent being free and voluntary
- The decision is to be made with competence
A covert administration only takes place when
- The person is actively refusing medication and is considered to lack
mental capacity (DOLS)
Biopsychosocial factors affecting adherence
Person
, Medicines:
Polypharmacy,
frequency and
timing of doses,
complex dose
regime, adverse
effects,
extended
duration of
Ages of pharmacology
Natural substances
- Alcohol
- Atropine, curare, opium and cannabis, coca, digitalis, penicillin
Synthetic substances
- Mass production
Produced from natural substances and novel synthetic
compounds
- Development of narcotics
Insulin, antibiotics, anticonvulsants, psychotropic drugs, anti-
cancer drugs in C20
Biotechnology
- Production of endogenous proteins and peptides using biotech
techniques.
Administration routes
