I. Introduction to Pharmacology

A. History of Pharmacology

• Sources of Drugs

• Categorizing Medications

B. Basics of Pharmacology

• The Drug Cycle

• Issues Affecting the Drug Cycle

• The Importance of Side Affects

• Drug Resources for Information

II. Community Pharmacy 

• The Role of the Pharmacy Technician

• Prescription Processing

• Organization of the Retail Pharmacy

• The Professional Characteristics of Pharmacy Technicians

III. Prescriptions and Labels

• Medication Orders

• Parts of a Prescription

• Drug Labels

    IV. Aseptic Technique and Sterile Compounding

• Parenteral Preparations

• Equipment and Supplies

• Laminar Airflow Hoods

• Storage and Stability

• Preparing an Intravenous Admixture
 V. Administrative Skills

 A. Inventory Control and Management

• Inventory Control

• Inventory Management

• Inventory Stock

• Duties of Pharmacy Technicians

• Ordering Process

• Medication Returns

• Purchasing Procedures

• Special Purchasing of Controlled Substances

B. Insurance and Billing

• Types of Health Insurance

• Patient Profiles

• Claims Processing 

• Special Billing

• Third Party Audits

• Role of the Insurance Billing Pharmacy Technician

VI. Medication Errors and Safety

• Occurrence of Medication Errors

• Prescribing Errors

• Dispensing Errors

• Administration Errors

• The Patient’s Role in Medication Errors

• Avoiding Medication Errors

• Medication Error Reporting

VII. Drug Actions and Interactions

• Pharmacokinetics

• Pharmacodynamics

• Mechanism of Drug Interaction

• Causes of Drug Interactions

• Patient Variables That Affect Drug Interaction

• Reducing the Risk of Drug Interaction

Week 1 I. Introduction to Pharmacology

A. History of Pharmacology

• Sources of Drugs

• Categorizing Medications

B. Basics of Pharmacology

• The Drug Cycle

• Issues Affecting the Drug Cycle

• The Importance of Side Affects

• Drug Resources for Information 08/30/2023

Week 2 Community Pharmacy 

• The Role of the Pharmacy Technician

• Prescription Processing

• Organization of the Retail Pharmacy

• The Professional Characteristics of Pharmacy Technicians

Lab Activity 09/06/2023

Week 3 Quiz #1

Prescriptions and Labels

• Medication Orders

• Parts of a Prescription

• Drug Labels 09/13/2023

Week 4 Exam #1

Lab Activity 09/20/2023

Week 5 & 6 Medication Errors and Safety

• Occurrence of Medication Errors

• Prescribing Errors

• Dispensing Errors

• Administration Errors

• The Patient’s Role in Medication Errors

• Avoiding Medication Errors

• Medication Error Reporting

Lab Activity 09/27/2023

10/04/2023

Week 7 Exam #2

Inventory Control and Management

• Duties of Pharmacy Techs

• Ordering Process

• Barcoding

• Purchasing Procedures

• Storage

• Medication Return Process

10/11/2023

Week 8 Quiz #2

Lab Activity 10/18/2023

Week 9 Insurance & Billing

• Types of Health Insurance

• Insurance Policy

• Patient Profiles

• Claims Processing

• Prior Authorization

• Third Party Audits

Lab Activity 10/25/2023

Week 10 Exam # 3 

Lab Activity 11/01/2023

Week 11 Patient Safety in Medication Administration 

• Patient Rights for Safety

• The Right Route and Technique

• Factors Affecting Medication Administration

• Protecting the Patient

Class Assignment Activities 11/08/2023

Week 12 Drug Actions and Interactions

• Pharmacokinetics

• Pharmacodynamics

• Mechanism of Drug Interaction

• Causes of Drug Interactions

• Patient Variables That Affect Drug Interaction

• Reducing the Risk of Drug Interaction

Lab Activity 11/15/2023

Week 13 Quiz #3 Holiday Thanksgiving Break

11/23/2023-11/24/2023

Week 14 Aseptic Technique and Sterile Compounding

• Parenteral Preparations

• Equipment and Supplies

• Laminar Airflow Hoods

• Storage and Stability

• Preparing an Intravenous Admixture

Lab Activity 11/29/2023

Week 15 Final Exam Review 12/06/2023

Week 16 Final Exam 12/13/2023

Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria:

1. Quizzes/Homework 25%

2. Exams 30%

3. Final Exam 20%

4. Semester Project 15%

5. Class Participation 10%

• All class and or homework assignments, quizzes, and exams, class participation and attendance will be used in calculating your course grade.

• Late work will receive deducted points as follows:

o 24 Hours- 10 points

o 48 Hours –20 points

o 72 Hours –not accepted

• If an exam or quiz is missed, you will be allowed to makeup an exam with the proper documentation for absence and a different exam or quiz will be given with the zero being replaced with the exam or quiz grade. 

• In class activities and participation will include assessments of videos, games, group presentations, EVERYONE is expected to stay engaged as this is 10% of your class grade.

• Complete the required readings, assignments, discussions as directed by the instructor

• Keep copies of ALL paperwork, including syllabus, handouts, and assignments.

• Participate actively by reviewing course material, interacting with classmates, and responding promptly in communication with your instructor via email or by appointment.

• No grades will be discussed over the phone, as you can make an appointment with your instructor.

• If you have a complaint about this course which you cannot resolve through discussion with the instructor, please contact Shirley MacNeill, Chair Allied Health Department phone: 409-984-6365 

• The following materials are officially PROHIBTED in the classroom meetings for this course: food, drink, or tobacco. This policy agrees with the official college policy, breaks will be given. 

• The instructor expects that students illustrate mature behavior with respect to being responsible for your own actions, being respectful of others. Failure to comply may result in removal from the classroom or the course.

• Students should use their LSCPA email account to send messages to instructor and leave an office voicemail.

• All students are expected to attend class DAILY. A no call, no show will result in a zero for class work/homework assignment, class participation, etc. for the day of absence and cannot be made up.

• A student who is absent from class more than 3 days within the semester may be dropped from the program by the Program Coordinator.

1st Warning- verbal with record of conference

2nd Warning- written with record of conference

3rd Warning- written and meeting with Program Coordinator and Allied Health Director

• Late arrival to class is disruptive, the classroom door is locked at the time class starts, any student arriving at that time will be considered LATE and will not be allowed to enter the classroom, the student then should wait until break time to enter. Material that has been taught will NOT be retaught as students should follow up with their group or partner for class work. 

• Students who arrive after a quiz or exam starts, but before it ends, may take the quiz or exam without penalty but no additional time will be given.

• It is the student's responsibility to notify the instructor of any absence. If unable to reach the instructor in the office, please leave a voicemail AND email using the student's campus email. Absences must be followed up with the proper documentation for student records. 

*At any time while a student in the Pharmacy Technology Program, two final counseling notes are grounds for immediate dismissal.

*TimelyCare is a virtual health and well-being platform available 24/7 for Lamar State College Port Arthur students. Any enrolled student can use TimelyCare. There is no cost to students. Go to timelycare.com/LSCPA or download the TimelyCare app to access care.