Course Number: PH-PHR 212

Course Title: Dispensing 1 (Dispensing Process, Reading & Interpreting the Prescription and other Medicine
Orders)
Course Description: This course is designed to introduce the concepts of basic dispensing and techniques to pharmacy
students that govern this important facet of the professional practice of pharmacy. This course also
covers the introduction to dispensing, receiving prescriptions, prescription validation (initial
professional and technical check), labelling, assembling prescriptions and documentation.
Course Credit: 2 units (1-unit lecture; 1-unit laboratory)
Placement: 2nd Year, 1st Semester
Pre-requisite: PH-PHR 113 (Pharmaceutical Calculations)

Course Outcomes:
At the end of the course, the students should be able to:
• Apply knowledge of the basic principles of good communication and customer care in dispensing pharmaceutical
products
• Apply knowledge of the roles of different pharmacy support personnel and their tasks during the dispensing process
in community and hospital pharmacy
• Interpret and validate information on a prescription based on legal and ethical consideration involving pharmaceutical
products to simulate the dispensing process
• Apply technical and professional skills in performing the dispensing process after receiving a prescription or
medication order in a community or hospital pharmacy
• Apply knowledge of the requirements for proper medicine labeling as required by the Food and Drug Administration
• Apply the knowledge on patient counseling process in different case scenarios simulating the dispensing process

Intended Learning outcomes:

Successful completion of the course should lead to the following outcomes:
• Demonstrate an understanding of the communication process involving customer during dispensing of
pharmaceutical products
• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of pharmacists in communicating with other healthcare professionals
during the dispensing process
• Identify the different pharmacy support personnel available in the dispensing area in community and hospital
pharmacy
• Differentiate the competencies for each pharmacy support personnel
• Appreciate the importance of pharmacy support personnel and their roles during the dispensing process
• Differentiate products to be dispensed in a community or hospital pharmacy based on the definitions provided by
related pharmacy laws
• Demonstrate an understanding of the different legal and ethical considerations involved during the interpretation and
evaluation of prescriptions or medication orders
• Differentiate prescriptions from medication orders based on their use in community and hospital pharmacy
 • Identify the different parts of a prescription and medication order
• Recognize abbreviations commonly used in prescriptions and medication orders
• Review the completeness of a prescription or medication order
• Validate the appropriateness of the prescription or medication order
• Check the availability of medicine
• Apply legal and ethical considerations in dispensing
• Secure proper labeling and packaging of medicine
• Counter-check prepared prescriptions and medication order
• Define dose and other related terms used in interpreting orders in a prescription
• Calculate correctly doses commonly used for general and special populations when interpreting prescriptions or
medication orders
• Demonstrate an understanding of the labelling requirements for different pharmaceutical products as prescribed by
the Food and Drug Administration
• Demonstrate an understanding of the basic flow and structure of the counselling session to correctly advise a patient
during the dispensing process
• Apply dispensing skills in solving prescription related scenarios through online simulations

Teaching and Learning Methods:

Learning Methods Evaluation Methods

Lectures thru AVP Term-papers, formative and summative assessments
Presentations and Case Studies Open Questions, Think-Pair-Share, Written Reports
Interactive Workshops and Worksheets Level of student interactions and participation; Group dynamics
MyDispense/OSCE Dispensing and counselling skills

Sections & Class Schedule:

SECTION DAY LECTURE LABORATORY

PHAR 2-1 Tuesday 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
PHAR 2-2 Tuesday 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM 9:00 AM – 12:00 NN

Teaching Staff:

Lecture: Louie Fernand D. Legaspi, MHSS, RPh (LFDL)

Laboratory: Louie Fernand D. Legaspi, MHSS, RPh (LFDL)
Maria Teresa T. Basilides, RPh (MTTB)
Diana Dalisay A. Orolfo, RPh (DDAO)

Teaching Philosophy:
The following values are emphasized in this course:

1. Self-evaluation and Reflection

We value self-evaluation and reflection as important tools in learning. Students are encouraged to regularly evaluate
their performance in the course, and to use this to work towards improvement. Students are also encouraged to reflect
on their experiences to help them understand themselves and their patients better

2. Peer Support
Feedback and suggestion stimulate a healthy exchange of perspectives between professionals. Learning is also
fostered through observation and providing advice for improvement. Thus, peer support through observation and
feedback are important skills that can be applied in the workshops and other activities of the course. The benefit of
interactive education is that students can also act as additional facilitators. We also encourage students to be advocates
and educators

3. Openness
Students are encouraged to be open to learning and receiving feedback so do ask questions. Feedback can come
from peers, teachers, or patients. Students are also encouraged to discuss with the teacher any barriers or difficulties
regarding the learning objectives of the course, and any suggestions for improving the way the course is delivered.

4. Professionalism
To act professionally means to seek excellence in practice, and to set aside personal barriers to providing optimum
patient care. Students are encouraged to act professionally at all times, whether during classroom activities or during
direct patient interactions

5. Care and Responsiveness

Responsiveness and care help create trusting relationships between pharmacists and patients. Patients are more
receptive to learning when they feel their counselor’s sincere concern. Thus, students are encouraged to utilize the
helping approach in managing patients

6. Respect and Diversity

The classroom should be a safe space for people of all races, gender and orientation, religion, disabilities and
socioeconomic statuses. Derogatory and sarcastic comments and jokes that marginalize anyone are fundamentally
unaccepted, especially in the classroom. Offensive language should be avoided and defused. Be mindful of our biases
and treat everyone with respect and compassion

7. Integrity
Personal and professional integrity does not only center on being truthful when dealing with others, but also taking
responsibility for one’s actions and using one’s ethical judgement when dealt with difficult situations. Any form of
cheating will not be tolerated in this course

Grading System:
 Prelims 30% Midterms 30% Finals 40%
Prelim Exam 25% Midterm Exam 25% Final Exam 25%
Quizzes/Post-Assessment 10% Quizzes/Post-Assessment 10% Quizzes/Post-Assessment 10%
Assignment/Class 15% Assignment/Class 15% Objective-Subjective 20%
Activity/Critical Thinking Activity/Critical Thinking Practical Exam (OSPE)
Laboratory Exercises and 50% Laboratory Exercises and 50% Laboratory Exercises and 45%
Activities Activities Activities
• Worksheets (35%) • Worksheets (35%) • Worksheets (15%)
• Participation (15%) • Participation (15%) • Special Project (30%)
Total 100% 100% 100%

Prelim Grade: 30%

Midterms Grade: 30%
Finals Grade: 40%
FINAL GRADE: 100%

Course Requirements
• Passing grade of 75% or better

Course Outline

SESSION # DATE TOPIC/S

1 Course Orientation
Introduction to Dispensing
Principles of Good Customer Service
2 Principles of Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication
3 Communication and the Patient
4 Roles of Pharmacist in the Healthcare Setting
5 Good Pharmacy/Dispensing Practices
FIRST UNIT EXAMINATION
6 Philippine Health Policies with Legal and Ethical Considerations in Dispensing
7 Philippine Health Policies with Legal and Ethical Considerations in Dispensing
8 Prescription and Medication Order
9 Dispensing Process
10 Calculations and Medication Doses and Labelling Requirements
SECOND UNIT EXAMINATION
11 Patient Counseling
12 Patient Counseling
13 Patient Counseling
14 Patient Counselling
15 OBJECTIVE-STRUCTURED PRACTICAL EXAMINATION (OSPE)
FINALS

Course Policies:
• Attendance is mandatory
 • Absences for exams and late submission of required coursework on time will result in zero (0) unless health report
certification or other significant excuse is documented
• Honesty policy regarding cheating, plagiarism, misbehavior applies. Any forms committed will apply the penalty of
failing the subject and subject to evaluation for retention in program
• Make-up exams and classes will be offered for valid reasons.
• No side talks during lecture
• Please refer to guidelines and policies on the conduct of online classes during orientation

REFERENCES:
Books
o Beardsley, R.S., Kimberlin, C.L., and Tindall, W.N. (2012). Communication Skills in Pharmacy Practice. 6th Ed.
WoltersKluwer/Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
o Brunton, LL, Hilal-Dandan R, Knollmann BC. (2018). Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of
Therapeutics, 13th Ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education; Retrieved from AccessPharmacy:
accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com
o Cipolle RJ, Starnd LM, Morley PC. (2012). Pharmaceutical Care Practice: The Patient-centered Approach to
Medication Management Services. 3rd Ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education; Retrieved from AccessPharmacy:
accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com
o Desselle SP, Zgarrick, DP, Alston GL. Eds. (2012). Pharmacy Management: Essentials for All Practice Settings, 3e
New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; Retrieved from AccessPharmacy: accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com
o DeVito, J.A. (2013)The Interpersonal Communication Book. 13th Ed. New York: Pearson’s Education, Inc.
o DiPiro, JT, Yee GC, Posey LM, Haines ST, Nolin TD, Ellingrod V. 2020. Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic
Approach. 11th Ed New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; Retrieved from AccessPharmacy: accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com
o Dreiling J, Malacos K, Cannon A, Schmidt E. 2015. Pharmacy Technician Exam Certification and Review. McGraw-
Hill Education.
o Loyd V. Allen, Jr and Howard C. Ansel. (2014). Ansel’s Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery System.
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
o Rantuccci M. Pharmacists Talking with Patients: A guide to patient counseling, 2nd edition. (2007). Philadelphia:
Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
o Tindall W, Beardsley R and Kimberlin C. (2003). Communication Skills in Pharmacy Practice, 4 th Ed. Philadelphia:
Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Articles
o McDonough, R and M. Bennett. (2006). Improving communication skills of students through effective precepting.
American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education 70(3): Article 58 (1-11).
o American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. (1997). ASHP guidelines on pharmacist-conducted patient
education and counseling. American Journal of Health System Pharmacists. 54:431-434

Websites
o Drug Digest: www.drugdigest.com/wps/portal/ddigest
o Drug Information Online: www.drugs.com
o Drug Information for the Health Professional: www.prodruginfo.com
o Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association: www.medicines.ie
 o Merck Manual Online Library: www.merck.com/mmhe/index.html
o MIMS Online (Beta): www.mims.com
o RxList: www.rxlist.com
o Safe Medication: www.safemedication.com
o Global RPh: www.globalrph.com

Library Resources:
o https://accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com/
o https://uptodate.com/