BI1S108 - Veterinary Pharmacology & Pharmacy Practice 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: BI1S108
Module Title: Veterinary Pharmacology & Pharmacy Practice
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Biological and Forensic Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Biological Science
Module Leader: Theona Aristidou
Module Team: Rhiannon Stundon, Rachel Perry, Katie Davies, Paul Jones, Rhian Jones
First Intended Intake: SEP 2021 Final Year of Intake: 2026
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

This module explores the use of therapeutic interventions including veterinary medicinal products, prescription diets, nutraceuticals and behavioural medicines to treat disease and improve conditions in canine, feline and exotic species.

Students will develop a confident knowledge of pharmacy practice, to include pharmacy law and running a dispensary.

This module aims to produce student veterinary nurses who are proficient in pharmacy calculations and who can manipulate drug dosages with the accuracy required to ensure patient safety.

Content Summary

The content of this module is designed to ensure patient and human safety in the field of pharmacological therapies and pharmacy practice and includes:

Exploration of the pharmacology of veterinary medicinal products and their effects on the patient, including adverse reactions, Quality Improvement and Clinical Governance.

Investigation of the evidence base (e.g. peer-reviewed journal articles, RCVS Knowledge Summaries) of prescription diets, nutraceuticals and behavioural medicines in treating diseases and conditions.

Safe storage, handling and disposal of veterinary medicinal products, including discussion of the Clinical Audit.

Accurate manipulation of dosages to ensure patient safety.

Demonstration of suitable techniques for administering medicines.

Recognition of the concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to better ensure patient and human safety.

Discussion of One Health and its role in raising awareness of drug resistance and its implications for animal and human health.

The pass mark is set using a modified Angoff Method. Pass marks will vary.

The RCVS Day One competencies and Day One Skills for Veterinary Nurses are the minimum essential requirements that all student veterinary nurse are expected to have met in order to join the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses. Further information can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk

The content of this module will cover the following RCVS Day One Competencies: 1, 4-5, 7-9, 12-13, 15, 17, 19, 25-27, 37.

The content of this module will cover the following RCVS Day One Skills for Veterinary Nurses: 1.1-1.2, 2.1-2.3, 2.9-2.10, 3.2, 4.10-4.12, 7.1-7.3, 8.4.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 50
Tutorial 5
Demonstration 5
Directed Study 100
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 10
Groupwork 30
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate the importance of good standards of drug supply and management in relation to dispensing medicines and the legislation that surrounds this.
LO2 Recognise the concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and apply these concepts to pharmacological activity of medications on the patient
LO3 Interpret the evidence base supporting the efficacy of nutritional and behavioural medicine

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 Pharmacology Report 0 1400 35 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Onsite) 1 Nutrition and Behavioural Medicine 10 N/A 30 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1 Pharmacy Practice (40 MCQs and 4 SAQs) 60 N/A 35 No 0

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Report 1
Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Onsite) 1
Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1

Reading List

Ackerman, N., 2012. The consulting veterinary nurse. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Ackerman, N., 2016. Aspinall's complete textbook of veterinary nursing.. 3rd ed. Oxford: Elsevier.

Allerton, F., 2020. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A: Canine and Feline. 10th ed. Gloucester: BSAVA.

Aspinall, V., 2019. Clinical procedures in veterinary nursing. 4th ed. Oxford: Elsevier.

Bexfield, N. & Lee, K., 2014. BSAVA guide to procedures in small animal practice. 2nd ed. Gloucester : BSAVA.

Bradbury, G., 2018. Behavioural problems in rabbits. Sheffield: 5M.

Colville, T. P. & Bassert, J. M., 2015. Clinical anatomy and physiology for veterinary technicians. 3rd ed. Oxford: Elsevier.

Davidson, J., 2019. Research and Study Skills for Veterinary Nurses. Sheffield : 5M.

Dean, R., Roberts, M. & Stavisky, J., 2018. BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Shelter Medicine: Principles of Health and Welfare in a Multi–animal Environment. Gloucester : BSAVA.

Flaherty, C. & Taylor, M., 2021. Developing Academic Skills for Nursing Associates. London: Sage.

Gerrard, E., 2021. BSAVA pocketbook for veterinary nurses. 2nd ed. Gloucester: BSAVA.

Harvey, A. & Tasker, S., 2013. BSAVA manual of feline practice: a foundation manual. Gloucester : BSAVA.

Horwitz, D. F. & Mills, D. S., 2010. BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine. 2nd ed. Gloucester: BSAVA.

Hutchinson, T. & Robinson, K., 2015. BSAVA Manual of Canine Practice: A Foundation Manual. Gloucester: BSAVA.

Mullineaux, E., Turner, L. & Cooper, B., 2020. The BSAVA textbook of veterinary nursing. 6th ed. Gloucester: BSAVA.

Orpet, H. & Welsh, P., 2011. Handbook of veterinary nursing. Chichester: Blackwell.

Petrie, A. & Watson, P., 2013. Statistics for Veterinary and Animal Science. 3rd ed. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

Rock, A. H., 2007. Veterinary Pharmacology: A Practical Guide for the Veterinary Nurse. Oxford: Elsevier.

Wortinger, A. & Burns, K., 2012. Nutrition and disease management for veterinary technicians and nurses. 2nd ed. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

Relevant peer-reviewed journal articles will be provided as part of your expected learning in this module.