This course introduces the student to the chemistry of medicinal substances, drug design & development, and analysis of drugs and pharmaceutical products. Emphasis is placed on the chemical structure and functional groups as they affect the physicochemical properties, pharmacological effects, and pharmacokinetics of a drug. It explores the structure and activity relationships of medicinal substances and examines the methods involved in the pharmaceutical analysis and quality control of drugs.

Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs)

1. Describe the modes of action of drugs with receptors and enzymes.
2. Examine the pharmacokinetics of drug action, including ADME.
3. Discuss toxicity and therapeutic index, and the risk/benefit aspect of medicines.
4. Discuss strategies of molecular design of new drugs for receptors or enzymes.
5. Describe the synthesis of drug molecules using the reactions of synthetic organic chemistry.
6. Examine the metabolism of drugs and the role of metabolism in drug safety.
7. Understand the chemical mechanisms whereby drugs achieve their effect on biological targets, including both enzymes and receptors. The student will be enabled to employ fundamental chemical and biological principles in his/her analysis of drug action.