SECTION I: Introduction to Sociocultural Aspects, Law, and Ethics
Chapter 1: Sociocultural Aspects
– Medicine advertising and media influences
– Over-the-counter (OTC) preparations
– Generic vs proprietary medicines
– Medicine use in older individuals
– Cultural and linguistic differences
– Indigenous perspectives on medicine therapy
Chapter 2: Health Professionals and the Law
– Legislative controls on medicines
– Australian and New Zealand medicine controls
– Common law: unclear, telephone, standing orders
– Emergency situations and nurse practitioners
– Midwifery and remote area care
Chapter 3: Ethical Issues in Health Care
– Six principles: veracity, autonomy, non-maleficence, etc.
– Ethical situations in pharmacology
– Professional responsibilities
SECTION II: Medicine Administration and Professional Responsibilities
Chapter 4: Formulations, Storage, Routes
– Formulations and stability
– Routes of administration
– First-pass effect
Chapter 5: Clinical Decision-Making
– Clinical assessment
– Medicine selection
– Patient factors
Chapter 6: Administration and Documentation
– Administration techniques
– Documentation standards
– Responsibilities
Chapter 7: Medication Errors
– Types and causes
– Prevention strategies
– Reporting and management
,SECTION III: General Aspects of Pharmacology
Chapter 8: Drug Nomenclature
– Generic, brand, chemical names
– Classification systems
Chapter 9: Pharmacokinetics
– ADME process
– Bioavailability and half-life
Chapter 10: Pharmacodynamics
– Drug-receptor interactions
– Dose-response, agonists
Chapter 11: Pharmacogenetics
– Genetic factors
– Pharmacogenomic testing
Chapter 12: Drug Interactions
– Pharmacokinetic & dynamic
– Drug-food interactions
Chapter 13: Pharmacokinetic Modifiers
– Age, disease, environment
Chapter 14: Pediatric & Geriatric Pharmacology
– Developmental and dosing issues
SECTION IV: Toxicology
Chapter 15: Poisoning & Envenomation
Chapter 16: Acute Overdose
Chapter 17: Substances of Abuse
Chapter 18: Medicine Safety
SECTION V: Autonomic Pharmacology
Chapter 19: Neuropharmacology Overview
Chapter 20: Adrenergic Pharmacology
Chapter 21: Cholinergic Pharmacology
SECTION VI: Neuropharmacology
Chapter 22: Antipsychotic Agents
Chapter 23: Anxiolytics & Hypnotics
Chapter 24: Antidepressants & Mood Stabilisers
Chapter 25: Neurodegenerative Disorders
Chapter 26: Antiseizure Agents & Muscle Relaxants
Chapter 27: CNS Stimulants
,SECTION VII: Pain and Anaesthesia
Chapter 28: Analgesics
Chapter 29: Migraine & Headaches
Chapter 30: General Anaesthesia
Chapter 31: Local Anaesthesia
SECTION VIII: Inflammation, Immunity and Cancer
Chapter 32: Anti-inflammatory Agents
Chapter 33: Antigout Medicines
Chapter 34: Antihistamines
Chapter 35: Immunomodulators
Chapter 36: Cancer Chemotherapy
SECTION IX: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Pharmacology
Chapter 37: Dyslipidaemia
Chapter 38: Antihypertensives
Chapter 39: Antianginals
Chapter 40: Anticoagulants and Thrombolytics
Chapter 41: Diuretics & Renal Drugs
Chapter 42: Heart Failure
Chapter 43: Antidysrhythmics
Chapter 44: Fluid & Electrolyte Imbalance
Chapter 45: Anti-anaemic Agents
Chapter 46: Respiratory Medicines (Asthma, COPD)
SECTION X: Modulation of Gastrointestinal Function
Chapter 47: Cold & Allergy Medicines
Chapter 48: Gastrointestinal Drugs
Chapter 49: Antiemetics
Chapter 50: Nutrition (Enteral/Parenteral)
SECTION XI: Endocrine and Metabolic Pharmacology
Chapter 51: Pituitary Conditions
Chapter 52: Thyroid Conditions
Chapter 53: Diabetes Management
Chapter 54: Adrenal Disorders
Chapter 55: Gonadal Hormones
Chapter 56: Bone Disorders
Chapter 57: Obesity Management
,SECTION XII: Antimicrobial Pharmacology
Chapter 58: Intro to Antimicrobials
Chapter 59: Antibacterial Agents
Chapter 60: TB and Leprosy Agents
Chapter 61: Antiseptics & Disinfectants
Chapter 62: Antiparasitic Agents
Chapter 63: Antivirals
Chapter 64: Antifungals
SECTION XIII: Special Topics in Pharmacology
Chapter 65: Skin Conditions
Chapter 66: Ophthalmic Medicines
Chapter 67: Herbal Medicines
,Chapter 1
1 A pharmaceutical company airs a television
advertisement claiming its new analgesic provides “fastest
relief for all pain types” without mentioning potential
risks.
Correct answer: This advertisement may mislead
consumers by emphasizing benefits over risks, potentially
influencing inappropriate self-medication.
Rationale: Emphasis on benefits in direct-to-consumer
advertising can overshadow safety information, shaping
patient expectations and increasing demand for
medications without adequate understanding of adverse
effects.
2 A social media campaign sponsored by a drug
manufacturer highlights “natural” ingredients in an
antihistamine to attract young adults.
Correct answer: The campaign leverages perceptions of
“natural” to enhance product appeal, which may not
correlate with safety or efficacy.
Rationale: Media influences often exploit cultural beliefs
about “natural” remedies, impacting consumer choices
despite pharmacological equivalence to synthetic
products.
3 A magazine article praises an OTC sleep aid as “risk-free”
because it’s available without prescription.
Correct answer: Labeling OTC medications as “risk-free”
,can lead to underestimation of side effects and drug
interactions.
Rationale: Sociocultural understanding of OTC status often
implies greater safety, which may increase inappropriate
use, especially among populations with polypharmacy.
4 A community pharmacy launches a poster campaign
explaining differences between brand-name and generic
antihypertensives.
Correct answer: Educating patients on bioequivalence
helps reduce misconceptions and supports cost-effective
medicine use.
Rationale: Addressing cultural mistrust of generics by
highlighting regulatory standards promotes adherence and
equitable access to affordable therapies.
5 An older patient expresses distrust in generic
medications, believing they are “inferior” to brand-name
drugs.
Correct answer: This perception may stem from
sociocultural experiences and requires pharmacist-led
counseling to correct misconceptions.
Rationale: Cultural narratives about “cheaper equals lower
quality” influence older individuals’ acceptance of
generics, affecting adherence and health outcomes.
6 A rural Indigenous community relies on traditional
plant-based remedies before seeking pharmacotherapy for
diabetes.
,Correct answer: Incorporating Indigenous perspectives
and respecting traditional practices can enhance
therapeutic partnerships and adherence.
Rationale: Recognition of cultural beliefs fosters trust and
collaboration, ensuring pharmacological interventions
align with community values.
7 A national ethic of self-reliance leads many older adults
to avoid consulting healthcare professionals, preferring
OTC painkillers.
Correct answer: Sociocultural values of independence can
increase the risk of unsupervised OTC medication use
among seniors.
Rationale: Cultural emphasis on self-management among
older adults may mask underlying health issues and cause
harm due to OTC misuse.
8 A pharmacist uses pictograms and native language
leaflets to explain dosage instructions for an anti-diarrheal.
Correct answer: Tailoring communication to linguistic
needs enhances comprehension and proper medication
use.
Rationale: Addressing language barriers through culturally
appropriate materials reduces medication errors and
improves therapeutic outcomes.
9 A television drama portrays prescription opioids as
universally safe when obtained legally, without showing
addiction risks.
,Correct answer: Media representation that omits
potential harms can normalize misuse and downplay
addiction risks.
Rationale: Sociocultural influences from popular media
shape patient beliefs, potentially leading to
underreporting of adverse effects and dependency.
10 A promotional flyer for a cold remedy emphasizes its
proprietary formula's “unique” ingredients without
disclosing active components.
Correct answer: Highlighting a proprietary formula
without transparency can mislead consumers regarding
efficacy and cost.
Rationale: Cultural trust in “uniqueness” may override
critical appraisal of therapeutic value, influencing
purchasing decisions.
11 An elderly patient on multiple medications is prescribed
an OTC NSAID for arthritis pain without pharmacist review.
Correct answer: Older individuals require professional
assessment before adding OTC NSAIDs to avoid
polypharmacy complications.
Rationale: Age-related pharmacokinetic changes and
sociocultural tendencies for self-care increase the risk of
adverse drug events.
12 A bilingual pharmacist switches between English and
the patient’s mother tongue when counseling on antibiotic
use.
, Correct answer: Code-switching accommodates cultural
comfort and improves patient engagement in medication
management.
Rationale: Linguistic tailoring acknowledges cultural
identity, fostering clearer communication and adherence.
13 A televised health show recommends an OTC vitamin
supplement as a cure-all for fatigue.
Correct answer: Presenting OTC vitamins as cure-alls may
misinform viewers and delay appropriate medical
evaluation.
Rationale: Media oversimplification capitalizes on desires
for quick fixes, often neglecting underlying health
conditions.
14 A community health worker collaborates with Elders to
integrate traditional healing rituals when initiating
pharmacotherapy.
Correct answer: Combining Indigenous healing practices
with conventional treatments respects cultural protocols
and promotes acceptance.
Rationale: Indigenous perspectives emphasize holistic
health; integrating rituals with medication regimens
enhances cultural safety.
15 An advertisement offers a discount coupon for a brand-
name statin but omits mention of equivalent generic
options.
Correct answer: Such marketing strategies can steer