Syllabus of Social Pharmacy

Introduction to Social Pharmacy:

• Definition and Scope: Students will learn about the definition and scope of Social Pharmacy as a discipline, focusing on its role in improving public health. They will understand how Social Pharmacy encompasses the social aspects of pharmacy practice and the responsibilities of pharmacists in promoting health outcomes.
• Concept of Health: This topic covers the World Health Organization’s definition of health, various dimensions of health, determinants of health, and health indicators. Students will gain an understanding of the multifaceted nature of health and its impact on individuals and communities.
• National Health Policy: Students will be introduced to the National Health Policy in the Indian context, which outlines the objectives and strategies for improving healthcare delivery in the country.
• Public and Private Health System in India: This topic explores the public and private healthcare systems in India, including an overview of the National Health Mission. Students will understand the structure and functioning of these systems and the role of pharmacists within them.
• Introduction to Millennium Development Goals, Sustainable Development Goals, FIP Development Goals: Students will be introduced to the concepts of Millennium Development Goals, Sustainable Development Goals, and FIP Development Goals. They will learn about the global initiatives aimed at improving healthcare and pharmaceutical services.

Preventive Healthcare:

• Role of Pharmacists in Demography and Family Planning: Students will explore the role of pharmacists in promoting and providing information on demography and family planning methods to individuals and communities.
• Mother and Child Health: This topic emphasizes the importance of breastfeeding, the ill effects of infant milk substitutes and bottle feeding, and the role of pharmacists in promoting optimal mother and child health.
• Overview of Vaccines and Immunization: Students will gain an understanding of vaccines, types of immunity, and the importance of immunization. They will learn about the role of pharmacists in vaccine administration and education on immunization.
• Effect of Environment on Health: This topic covers the impact of environmental factors such as water and air pollution, noise pollution, sewage and waste disposal, occupational illnesses, and the environmental pollution caused by pharmaceuticals. Students will understand the role of pharmacists in promoting a healthy environment and mitigating the risks associated with environmental factors.
• Psychosocial Pharmacy: Students will learn about drugs of misuse and abuse, including psychotropic, narcotics, alcohol, and tobacco products. They will understand the social impact of these habits on individuals’ health, productivity, and the prevention of suicidal behaviours.

Nutrition and Health:

• Basics of Nutrition: Students will study macronutrients and micronutrients and their importance in maintaining good health.
• Importance of Water and Fibers in Diet: This topic emphasizes the significance of water and dietary fibers in maintaining a healthy diet.
• Balanced Diet and Malnutrition: Students will learn about balanced diets, nutrition deficiency diseases, the ill effects of junk foods, and the calorific and nutritive values of various foods. They will also explore the concept of food fortification.
• Introduction to Food Safety: Students will gain an understanding of food safety, including the adulteration of foods, effects of artificial ripening, use of pesticides, and genetically modified foods. They will also learn about dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, and drug-food interactions.

Introduction to Microbiology and Epidemiology:

• Introduction to Microbiology: This topic provides an overview of common microorganisms and their role in infections and diseases.
• Epidemiology: Students will be introduced to the field of epidemiology, including terms such as epidemic, pandemic, endemic, mode of transmission, outbreak, quarantine, isolation, incubation period, contact tracing, morbidity, and mortality. They will understand the applications of epidemiology in public health.
• Communicable Diseases: Students will study the causative agents, epidemiology, clinical presentations, and the role of pharmacists in educating the public on the prevention of various communicable diseases, including respiratory infections, intestinal infections, arthropod-borne infections, surface infections, STDs, and HIV/AIDS.

Health Systems and National Health Programs:

• Introduction to Health Systems: Students will gain an understanding of health systems and their components. They will learn about the ongoing national health programs in India, their objectives, functioning, outcomes, and the role of pharmacists in these programs.
• Pharmacoeconomics:Introduction to Pharmacoeconomics: Students will be introduced to the field of pharmacoeconomics, including basic terminologies and the importance of pharmacoeconomics in healthcare decision-making.