Module Catalogue 2024/25

HSC8008 : Global Health Policy and Medicine Use (Inactive)

HSC8008 : Global Health Policy and Medicine Use (Inactive)

  • Inactive for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Colin Millard
  • Lecturer: Professor Allyson Pollock, Mr Peter Roderick, Dr Oisín Kavanagh
  • Owning School: Population Health Sciences
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module will take a public health and social science perspective to understand global health policy and regulation related to medicine use. It will enable students to describe and understand the global drug supply chain and the role of WHO and national governments in promoting rational medicines and the numerous barriers to access to safe, rational and affordable medicines.

Outline Of Syllabus

•       WHO's approach to governing safe and rational access to medicines
•       International and national regulatory apparatuses
•       The global drug development and supply chain
•       The role of clinical trials in ensuring that medicines are safe and effective
•       National and global pharmacovigilance systems
•       Barriers to access to essential and rational medicines
•       Social and Cultural Aspects of Medical Technologies

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module students should be able to:

•       Explain in detail drug approval systems at country level.
•       Compare how political, social, and economic and cultural factors interact with scientific knowledge, research and practice.
•       Describe in detail the global drug supply chain.
•       Describe and analyse the role of WHO and national governments in promoting rational medicines and the numerous barriers to access to safe, rational and affordable medicines.
•       Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the role of clinical trials in ensuring safety and efficacy, and of their strengths and weaknesses
•       Summarise and critique the role of the WHO and the Essential Medicines List in promoting and prioritising rational drug use
•       Demonstrate an understanding of the effects of international regulations and institutional patterns of national and regional pharmaceutical production and access to medicines
•       Explain in depth the social, cultural and policy dimensions of medical technologies

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module students should be able to:

•       Identify and analyse barriers to access to medicines in different countries and settings from a public health perspective
•       Appraise the function of national governments and international institutions in respect of marketing approvals, drug prioritisation and ensuring access
•       Explain the drug development process and marketing approval requirements including clinical trials, and the contemporary challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry
•       Identify the key criteria that underpin the ethical conduct of clinical trials
•       Identify the main process steps in evaluating the safety of medicines
•       Evaluate pharmaceutical marketing techniques
•       Evaluate the social and policy related dimensions of medical technologies

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion101:0010:00End of module assessment- essay
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion101:0010:00Mid module assessment- small group presentations
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials80:304:00Non-synchronous online pre-recorded lectures
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture71:3010:30Present in person: Interactive teaching session
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture11:001:00Present in person: Interactive teaching session
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching81:008:00Present in person: Discussion and group work
Structured Guided LearningStructured non-synchronous discussion81:008:00Online Discussion Groups
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1481:00148:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesModule talk10:300:30Present in person: Week 1 - introduction to the module – interactive talk
Total200:00
Jointly Taught With
Code Title
HSC8006Introduction to Global Health Policy and Medicines Use
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The aim of the module is to develop student knowledge related to a range of issues concerned with the access to safe, effective and appropriate medicines, and medical technologies. This will be achieved through a flexible learning approach using case studies delivered in scheduled learning activities. All scheduled teaching activities will be interactive and students will be encouraged to actively engage with the course material. Question prompts will be used. Small group discussion and exercises will be used with the aim of developing the required analytical skills related to identifying barriers to access. Key readings for each week's lecture will be made available on the VLE and students will be expected to have read these. Each week’s one hour small group teaching sessions where students will have the opportunity to explore in detail an area related to the weekly topics.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay2M802,500 word maximum
Oral Examination2M20Small group 15 min present in person presentation
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The small group presentation will involve a presentation in groups of 3 on material from the first half of the module. This will allow the students to critically engage with the course material, and develop group work and presentation skills. This will be peer assessed, 20% students and 80% module leader.

The essay will be submitted at the end of the module and will require the students to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the course material and show that they are able to critically engage with the topic.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.