Chapter 35

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Chapter 35

Basic Pharmacology


Uses of Medications

• Therapeutic

• Diagnostic

• Curative

• Replacement

• Preventive or prophylactic


Research and Development

• Up to 15 years for drug to make it to market

• Understand process of change from health to illness from level of cellular components (targets)

• Design chemical compounds and biopharmaceuticals


Research and Development

• 2003: Human Genome Project completed

• Pharmacogenomics– Study of response of body to various chemical

compounds based on individual’s genetic inheritance


Drug Names

• Chemical name

• Generic name

• Trade or brand name


History and Sources of Drugs

• Drugs from roots, herbs, bark, plant life earliest known pharmaceuticals

• Drugs derived from animals and minerals

• Produced in laboratories using chemical, biochemical, biotechnologic processes


History and Sources of Drugs

• Plant sources

• Animal sources

• Mineral sources

• Herbal supplements

• Synthetic drugs

• Genetically engineered pharmaceuticals


Drug Regulations and Legal Classifications of Drugs

• Must comply with federal and state laws

• Laws govern:– Manufacture– Sale– Possession– Administration– Dispensing– Prescribing of drugs



• Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act– Protects public by ensuring purity, strength, and

composition of foods, drugs, and cosmetics– Prohibits movement in interstate commerce of

altered and misbranded food, drugs, devices, and cosmetics

– Enforced by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)



• Controlled Substances Act of 1970– Regulates drugs with potential for abuse or

addiction– Controls manufacture, importation, compounding,

selling, dealing in, giving away of drugs that have potential for abuse

– Controlled substances



• Controlled Substances Act of 1970– Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)– Provider registration– Controlled Substances Schedules I–V



• Controlled Substances Act of 1970– Storage of controlled substances

• Separation from other drugs• Well-constructed metal box or compartment with double

lock• Separate record book• Counted, verified, recorded at end of workday



• Controlled Substances Act of 1970– Controlled Substance Disposal Policy (per DEA)– Medical assistant role and responsibilities

• Monitor provider’s DEA registration renewal date• Maintain legally designated records and inventories of

drugs• Provide security for all drugs, in particular controlled

substances



• Controlled Substances Act of 1970– Medical assistant role and responsibilities

• Provide security for prescription pads• Properly destroy expired drugs and document • Know and understand federal and state laws that

regulate drugs, including controlled substances and samples



• Prescription drugs– Also called legend drugs– E-prescribing

• Nonprescription drugs– Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs– Readily accessible to public– Do not require prescription



• Proper disposal of drugs– Expired drugs removed from shelf and destroyed – Expired drugs could be harmful– Pharmacists have medications incinerated– DEA sponsors annual National Take-Back

Initiative



• Administer, prescribe, dispense– Prescribe: licensed practitioner gives written order

to be taken to pharmacist to be filled – Dispense: provide medication as ordered by

provider to patient– Administer: give to patient by mouth or injection or

other method


Drug References and Standards

• U.S. Pharmacopeia/National Formulary– List drugs for which standards have been

established

• Compendium of Drug Therapy

• Desk Reference for Nonprescription Drugs

• Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR) – Each medication described using manufacturer’s

package insert



• How to use the PDR– Brand name and generic name index, section 2– Classification or category, section 3– Product identification guide, section 4– Product information and alphabetical arrangement

by manufacturers, section 5



• Other reference sources– Refer to another drug reference book– Research medications online; make sure source

reliable– Ask pharmacist about drug– Refer to packet insert that comes in drug package


Classification of Drugs

• Drugs used to treat or prevent disease

• Drugs that have principal action on body

• Drugs that act on specific body systems or organs

• Drug preparation


Principal Actions of Drugs

• Act directly on one or more tissues of body

• Act on microorganisms

• Replace body chemicals– Local action– Remote action– Systemic action– Synergistic action



• Factors that affect drug action– Absorption– Distribution– Biotransformation– Elimination



• Undesirable actions of drugs– Side effect– Drug interaction– Adverse reactions


Drug Routes

• Route of administration determined by:– Action of medication on body– Physical and emotional state of patient– Characteristics of drug


Drug Routes

• Oral

• Parenteral

• Direct application to skin

• Sublingual

• Buccal

• Rectal

• Vaginal

• Inhalation

• Instillation


Forms of Drugs

• Liquids, solids, and semisolids

Tablets and capsules >>


Forms of Drugs

• Other drug delivery systems– Transdermal system– Inhalation medications– Eye-curing lens– Implantable devices


Storage and Handling of Medications

• Goal: store in original containers in separate room in locked cabinet – Darkness– Refrigeration– Glass containers– Consult drug label for storage– Organization of storage area


Storage and Handling of Medications

• Please refer to the video library on the Instructor Resources CD to view video “Medical Assistant’s Role in Drug Orders.”


Emergency Medications and Supplies

• Tray, box, cabinet, crash cart

• Emergency drugs

• Emergency supplies and equipment


Emergency Medications and Supplies

• Bioterrorism– Use of biologic weapons (pathogenic

microorganisms)– Most diseases treated with pharmaceutical agents

(antibiotics and antitoxoids)– Dangerous disease threats: anthrax, botulism,

pneumonic/bubonic plague, smallpox, tularemia


Drug Abuse

• Recognizing symptoms of drug abuse

• Drug abuse programs

• Examples of drug types commonly abused

• Effects of drug abuse

• Prevention programs

Documents

Chapter 35