The therapeutic use of drugs in the treatment of disease is fundamental to the study of pharmacy. In order to understand this fully, pharmacists must have a detailed knowledge of physiology, pharmacology and biochemistry. The module is organised into three broad themes; cell structure and function, regulation and control and drug distribution and metabolism. The module begins with examining the cell as the basic biological unit in terms of its structure, function and organisation into organs and tissues. This is then expanded to examine how cellular and organ functions are regulated by the nervous and endocrine systems in both health and disease. Important concepts relating to drug targets, mechanisms of drug action and drug distribution and metabolism are also addressed. A more detailed outline of the course unit is separated into the two semesters under the module syllabus section.

The first semester begins with an introduction to basic cell biology and the processes occurring in cells with which pharmaceutical agents may interact. Topics include cell structure and division, molecular biology, genetics, protein structure and cell metabolism. The module also examines the molecular structure of receptors and enzymes, and how they are targets for drug action. Concepts relating to drug-receptor theory, receptor agonists and antagonists, drug efficacy and potency are addressed. The organisation of cells into systems is introduced in this semester, particularly the nervous system where concepts relating to the conduction of electrical activity along nerves and neurotransmission at synapses are covered.

The second semester content builds upon the understanding of the key concepts introduced in the first semester. The organisation and function of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems is introduced as is endocrinology. Drug-receptor interactions are explored further by examining receptor-second messenger coupling and its role in regulating cardiovascular system function and cell metabolism with particular attention being paid to disease states and the therapeutic use of drugs. The latter point is examined further in the context of drug distribution through the body and routes of drug metabolism. Much of the material covered in this semester is also explored though several case study-based Integrated Therapeutics workshops.