This assignment is an essay.

The wordcount is limited to 1500 words. The word count does not include the reference list.

This task is intended to familiarise you with the key pharmacological concepts.

Choose ONE of the following drug pairs. For your essay COMPARE and CONTRAST the similarities and differences between the drugs with respect to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodymanics.

ibuprofen/paracetamol

Use the non-proprietary names for the drugs throughout your essay.

Use resources such as journal articles, medical and scientific text books, or scientific web based resources (e.g. NIH website, American Heart Association website). DO NOT use websites that include “.com” in their web address as they are usually commercial websites that are targeted at promoting a particular viewpoint related to economic gain.
Please also use medical pharmacology at a glance, Seventh Edition – micheal J Neal as one of the references.

For your essay:
1. Provide a brief descriptive title of no more than 10 words. Include in the title the drug group that your chosen pair belong to.
2. Introduce the drugs and specify their actions and indications;
3. Describe the pharmacokinetics of each drug comparing the following:
a. How is the drug administered?
b. How is the drug absorbed?
c. What is the bioavailability and half-life of the drug?
d. How is it distributed in the body?
e. How is the drug metabolised?
f. How is the drug excreted?
4. Detail and compare the pharmocodynamics of the drugs. Include the following information:
a. What is the mechanism of action of the drug? If this currently unknown, what is it thought to be?
b. What is the molecular target of the drug?
c. What is the effect of the drug after it binds to its molecular target. Remember you are comparing the two drugs so a step by step comparison is appropriate here.
d. Explain how the mechanism of action of the drug is related to its side effects.

Writing format. See notes under assessment presentation.

This exercise is designed to develop your ability to identify and communicate scientific and clinical details in a concise written format, using appropriate referencing. The word limit is a maximum and markers are not obliged to read beyond the set word limit. This is an essay – subheadings, dot points and tables are NOT to be used. Remember that you are required to compare and contrast the characteristics of the drugs not just list characteristics of each. The assignment should be written in a fluent and economical sentence structure and include correctly formatted in-text referencing according to APA referencing style.

An APA referencing guide is available through the subject’s interact site and in-text and reference list formats must rigidly adhere to this style. (Marks will be deducted for incorrect formatting). The reference list (correctly formatted) should follow the main section and would not be expected to contain more than 6 references including at least one recent journal article relevant to the topic.

Files must be submitted via EASTS in *.doc, *.docx format, and include a word count below the references list.

Rationale
The purpose of this assessment item is to allow students to explore in greater detail important subject content areas.

This assessment item assesses the following learning outcomes provided in this subject outline (p.3):
* define common pharmacological terms;
* describe the four pharmacokinetic processes (absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination);

Marking criteria
Marking criteria (total /20)

Professional Knowledge: 16 marks given for the descriptive title, the description of the drugs, comparison of the drug pairs and their pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

Academic Writing Conventions: This assignment is in the format of an essay. 4 marks given for correct grammar/spelling, use of appropriate references and APA, use of appropriate scientific language and writing style.

Please remember that this is a bioscience assignment and extensive discussion of clinical care is not appropriate.

Task Name: Assignment 1 Student Name: Student Number:
Weighting: Standards
Criteria HD DI CR PS FL
1. Descriptive title informing the reader of the drug used to treat it including the drug class and basic mechanism.
(1 marks) Title is concise and detailed. A simple short sentence (approximately 10 words) that includes the drugs, drug classes . Clearly informs the reader of the content of the assignment. Title is detailed. A simple short sentence (approximately 10 words) that includes the drug, drug class and basic mechanism. Informs the reader of the content of the assignment but is not concise. Title includes the drugs, drug class and basic mechanisms. but is not concise or is lacking in detail.
The reader has some idea of the content of the assignment. Title present but lacks detail. Sentence (approximately 10 words) is not concise or lacks detail. Does not include one or more of the drug, drug class or the basic mechanisms. No title, short (<10 words) or overly long title lacking detail the drug, drug class or mechanism. Unclear what the content of the assignment will be.
2. Introduce the drugs. Detailed but concise comparison of the drugs
(3 marks) Clear, detailed description and comparison of the chosen drugs that shows understanding of how the drugs are used to treat disease. Includes the drug class(es) and basic drug mechansisms Information flows logically.
Detailed description and comparison of the chosen drugs that shows understanding of how the drugs are used to treat disease. Includes the drug class(es) and basic drug mechansisms Information flows in a mostly logical manner.
Description that shows understanding of how the drugs are used to treat disease. Good delineation of drug comparison. Includes the drug class(es) and basic drug mechansisms Information present but does not flow logically. Description that shows some understanding of how the drugs are used to treat disease but comparisonsare not directly made. Includes the drug class(es) and basic drug mechansisms No logical flow of information. Does not undertake a comparsion format.
3. Compare and contrasts the pharmacokinetics of the drugs and how factors affecting absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination impact on bioavailability and half-life.
(6 marks) Succinct introduction to the drug including brief mention of the mechanism. Detailed description of the pharmacokinetics including how factors affecting absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination are linked to the choice of delivery method(s), the bioavailability and half-life. Integration of knowledge clearly evident with strong links made between these factors. Introduction to the drug including brief comparison of the mechanism(s). Includes all elements of pharmacokinetics. Describes most factors affecting absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination and their impact on bioavailability and half-life. Some integration of knowledge evident from the links made. Introduction to the drugs including brief comparison of the mechanism(s). Pharmacokinetic elements present but lack some detail. Describes some factors affecting absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination and their impact on bioavailability and half-life by linking these elements. Introduces drug at a basic level and undertakes a basic comparison but lacks details of the mechanisms of action.
Elements of the pharmacokinetics are missing or vague. Identifies some factors affecting absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination and their affect on bioavailability and half-life but lacks understanding of how these are linked. Drug is not introduced or described. Drug comparison lacking. Lacks detail of the pharmacokinetics. Does not display knowledge of the elements of pharmacokinetics. Only clinical information.
4. Comparison of the drug pharmacodynamics
(6 marks) Concise but detailed comparison of how the drug manifests an effect on the body. Includes how the drugs may manifest side effects or adverse events. Detailed comparison of how the drug manifests an effect on the body. Includes how the drugs may manifest side effects or adverse events Good comparison of how the drug manifests an effect on the body. Includes how the drugs may manifest side effects or adverse events Adequate comparison of how the drug manifests an effect on the body. Includes how the drugs may manifest side effects or adverse events Does not effectively follow a Compare and Contrast format or lacks important information with regards to how the drug manifests an effect on the body or side effects/adverse events not included.
5. Academic writing conventions and referencing.
(4 marks) No errors in spelling and grammar. Concise scientific writing. Citations properly presented and appropriate. Reference list contains appropriate sources including multiple current journal articles relevant to the topic. Complies to APA referencing. Very few errors in spelling and grammar. Writing is mostly concise. Citations properly presented and appropriate. Reference list contains appropriate sources including two current journal articles relevant to the topic. Complies to APA referencing. Minor spelling and grammar errors. Writing is understandable but may have an instance where there is a lack logical flow of information, not be concise, or be unscientific. Correct and appropriate in-text citation. Reference list complies to APA referencing and the instructions for the task. Contains one journal article relevant to the topic Minor spelling and grammar errors. Writing is understandable but has instances where there is a lacks logical flow of information, not be concise or be unscientific.
Correct and appropriate in-text citation. Reference list complies to APA referencing and the instructions for the task. Multiple spelling and grammar errors. Writing is informal, illogical, not concise or unscientific. Lacks in-text citations, has errors or uses inappropriate citations. Not compliant with APA referencing. Reference list does not comply to the instructions.
Total Mark: /20
Comments:

Presentation
All written assignments in this subject must conform to the following presentation standards:

•1½ line spacing and left-justified only
•Times New Roman 12-point font
•Pages must be numbered and your name &/or student number appear in the footer of each page
•Pages should be set to A4
•Minimum of 2 cm margins around the text
•Proof-read your work before submission – your work should be free of grammatical, spelling and typographical errors
•References must be in APA format
Students have access to TURNITIN in order to self-check their work for similarity to other authors. It is highly recommended all students make use of this facility.

Requirements
Please include a word count (excluding reference list) that should follow the reference list.