, Complete Table of Contents
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
A pharmaceutical company launches a direct-to-consumer
advertisement claiming their brand‑name antihistamine is
“clinically superior” to all others.
Correct answer: Such claims may mislead consumers by
overstating benefits and underrepresenting alternatives.
Rationale: Media influence can shape patient perceptions,
leading to overestimation of proprietary products; critical
appraisal is needed to counter commercial bias.
A pharmacist recommends an OTC ibuprofen formulation
in a chewable tablet for a teenager who dislikes
swallowing pills.
Correct answer: Ease of administration improves
adherence, especially in populations with swallowing
difficulties.
Rationale: Sociocultural factors such as age‑related
preferences affect OTC medicine selection and adherence.
A health clinic switches from a brand‑name antibiotic to its
generic equivalent to reduce costs for patients without
compromising efficacy.
,Correct answer: Generic medicines have the same active
ingredient, dosage, and therapeutic effect as proprietary
versions.
Rationale: Understanding bioequivalence and regulatory
standards supports cost‑effective prescribing in diverse
patient populations.
An 80‑year‑old patient reports dizziness after starting a
new antihypertensive. The prescriber reviews age‑related
pharmacokinetics before adjusting the dose.
Correct answer: Age‑related changes in drug metabolism
warrant dose adjustments to prevent adverse effects.
Rationale: Older adults often have decreased renal and
hepatic function, altering drug clearance and increasing
ADR risk.
A community pharmacist uses Swahili translations of
medication leaflets to counsel a recent immigrant family
on diabetes management.
Correct answer: Providing information in the patient’s
preferred language enhances understanding and safe
medicine use.
,Rationale: Cultural and linguistic tailoring of
communication reduces misunderstandings and improves
therapeutic outcomes.
An Aboriginal health worker discusses traditional healing
practices alongside prescribed asthma inhalers.
Correct answer: Integrating Indigenous perspectives with
biomedical therapy respects cultural beliefs and supports
adherence.
Rationale: Acknowledging traditional medicine fosters
trust and collaborative care in Indigenous communities.
A television campaign emphasizes a celebrity’s
endorsement of a weight‑loss supplement.
Correct answer: Celebrity endorsements can create false
perceptions of efficacy and safety.
Rationale: Advertising often leverages influencers, which
may overshadow evidence‑based information and mislead
vulnerable populations.
A patient self‑selects loperamide OTC for chronic
abdominal pain without consulting a clinician.
,Correct answer: Self‑medication may mask underlying
conditions and delay appropriate diagnosis.
Rationale: OTC access empowers patients but also requires
public education to avoid inappropriate use.
A hospital formulary committee considers substituting
brand‑name omeprazole with a lower‑cost generic for
inpatients.
Correct answer: Formulary substitution of generics can
reduce institutional expenditure without sacrificing
quality.
Rationale: Generic prescribing is an economic strategy that
must consider supply chain and patient trust issues.
A geriatric clinic implements a “start low, go slow”
protocol for initiating psychotropic medications.
Correct answer: Conservative dosing in older individuals
minimizes side effects and improves tolerability.
Rationale: Age‑related pharmacodynamic sensitivity
requires cautious titration in elderly patients.
A pharmacy display highlights paracetamol tablets next to
branded cough syrups with eye‑catching packaging.
, Correct answer: Point‑of‑sale marketing influences OTC
selection by emphasizing visual branding.
Rationale: Media placement in retail environments shapes
consumer choice beyond clinical need.
A rural outreach program distributes illustrated
pictograms to explain dosing schedules for malaria
prophylaxis.
Correct answer: Visual aids overcome literacy and
language barriers, promoting correct medicine use.
Rationale: Sociocultural appropriateness of educational
materials is critical in multilingual communities.
A prescriber explains that the generic form of a
cholesterol‑lowering agent costs 70 percent less than the
brand version.
Correct answer: Cost differences between generic and
proprietary medicines can affect patient access and
adherence.
Rationale: Economic considerations are integral to
sociocultural determinants of health and medicine
utilization.
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
A pharmaceutical company launches a direct-to-consumer
advertisement claiming their brand‑name antihistamine is
“clinically superior” to all others.
Correct answer: Such claims may mislead consumers by
overstating benefits and underrepresenting alternatives.
Rationale: Media influence can shape patient perceptions,
leading to overestimation of proprietary products; critical
appraisal is needed to counter commercial bias.
A pharmacist recommends an OTC ibuprofen formulation
in a chewable tablet for a teenager who dislikes
swallowing pills.
Correct answer: Ease of administration improves
adherence, especially in populations with swallowing
difficulties.
Rationale: Sociocultural factors such as age‑related
preferences affect OTC medicine selection and adherence.
A health clinic switches from a brand‑name antibiotic to its
generic equivalent to reduce costs for patients without
compromising efficacy.
,Correct answer: Generic medicines have the same active
ingredient, dosage, and therapeutic effect as proprietary
versions.
Rationale: Understanding bioequivalence and regulatory
standards supports cost‑effective prescribing in diverse
patient populations.
An 80‑year‑old patient reports dizziness after starting a
new antihypertensive. The prescriber reviews age‑related
pharmacokinetics before adjusting the dose.
Correct answer: Age‑related changes in drug metabolism
warrant dose adjustments to prevent adverse effects.
Rationale: Older adults often have decreased renal and
hepatic function, altering drug clearance and increasing
ADR risk.
A community pharmacist uses Swahili translations of
medication leaflets to counsel a recent immigrant family
on diabetes management.
Correct answer: Providing information in the patient’s
preferred language enhances understanding and safe
medicine use.
,Rationale: Cultural and linguistic tailoring of
communication reduces misunderstandings and improves
therapeutic outcomes.
An Aboriginal health worker discusses traditional healing
practices alongside prescribed asthma inhalers.
Correct answer: Integrating Indigenous perspectives with
biomedical therapy respects cultural beliefs and supports
adherence.
Rationale: Acknowledging traditional medicine fosters
trust and collaborative care in Indigenous communities.
A television campaign emphasizes a celebrity’s
endorsement of a weight‑loss supplement.
Correct answer: Celebrity endorsements can create false
perceptions of efficacy and safety.
Rationale: Advertising often leverages influencers, which
may overshadow evidence‑based information and mislead
vulnerable populations.
A patient self‑selects loperamide OTC for chronic
abdominal pain without consulting a clinician.
,Correct answer: Self‑medication may mask underlying
conditions and delay appropriate diagnosis.
Rationale: OTC access empowers patients but also requires
public education to avoid inappropriate use.
A hospital formulary committee considers substituting
brand‑name omeprazole with a lower‑cost generic for
inpatients.
Correct answer: Formulary substitution of generics can
reduce institutional expenditure without sacrificing
quality.
Rationale: Generic prescribing is an economic strategy that
must consider supply chain and patient trust issues.
A geriatric clinic implements a “start low, go slow”
protocol for initiating psychotropic medications.
Correct answer: Conservative dosing in older individuals
minimizes side effects and improves tolerability.
Rationale: Age‑related pharmacodynamic sensitivity
requires cautious titration in elderly patients.
A pharmacy display highlights paracetamol tablets next to
branded cough syrups with eye‑catching packaging.
, Correct answer: Point‑of‑sale marketing influences OTC
selection by emphasizing visual branding.
Rationale: Media placement in retail environments shapes
consumer choice beyond clinical need.
A rural outreach program distributes illustrated
pictograms to explain dosing schedules for malaria
prophylaxis.
Correct answer: Visual aids overcome literacy and
language barriers, promoting correct medicine use.
Rationale: Sociocultural appropriateness of educational
materials is critical in multilingual communities.
A prescriber explains that the generic form of a
cholesterol‑lowering agent costs 70 percent less than the
brand version.
Correct answer: Cost differences between generic and
proprietary medicines can affect patient access and
adherence.
Rationale: Economic considerations are integral to
sociocultural determinants of health and medicine
utilization.
