vcc.ca
PHAR 2230: Non-Prescription Medications and Complementary Therapies
Effective date
January 2027
Department
Pharmacy Technician
School
Health Sciences
Description
This course builds on the pharmacological principles in PHAR 2110, expanding students' knowledge to include commonly used non-prescription medications and complementary therapies. Emphasis is placed on therapeutic applications and safety profiles. Students will also examine the role of herbal supplements, traditional Indigenous healing practices, and non-drug measures, in managing various health conditions. Emphasis is placed on the pharmacy technician’s role in patient assessment and providing information on non-prescription medications and complementary therapies within their scope of practice.
Credits
1.5
Year of study
2nd Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
PHAR 2110.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify commonly used non-prescription medications and their therapeutic uses. (1)
- Describe the role of complementary therapies and herbal supplements in the management of various health conditions. (2)
- Describe the role of the pharmacy technician in assisting patients with non-prescription medications. (3)
- Gather appropriate patient information to assist patients with non-prescription medications. (4)
- Apply knowledge to assist in patient decision-making related to the safe and appropriate use of non-prescription medications within the scope of practice of a pharmacy technician. (5)
- Describe non-drug measures for various health conditions to enhance patient care. (6)
- Recognize situations requiring referral to a pharmacist or other healthcare professional. (7)
- CLOs align with the following NAPRA Competencies: (1) 2.2. (2) 1.4. (3) 1.4. (4) 1.1. (5) 1.4, 2.2. (6) 1.4. (7) 3.3.
- CLOs align with the following CPTEA Educational Outcomes: (1) 2.3, 6.2, 6.3. (2) 2.3, 6.2, 6.3. (3) 2.3. (4) 2.2, 2.3. (5) 6.1. (6) 7.3. (7) 8.4.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 30
Total Hours: 30
Total Hours: 30
Instructional Strategies
Lecture, independent study, role-play, case study, research
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
B (72%)
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Assignments |
20% |
Minor Ailment Research Assignment |
|
Assignments |
10% |
OSPE Roleplay Assignment |
|
Project |
20% |
Herbal Supplements Research Project |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
50% |
Two quizzes worth 25% each |
Course topics
- 1. Non-prescription medications
- 2. Minor ailments
- 3. Herbal supplements
- 4. Non-drug measures
- 5. Patient assessment
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.