Required texts

Required text(s):

• Rossi S, editor. Australian Medicines Handbook (current edition). Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd.   (Computer access available online via the library)
• Therapeutic Guidelines (current edition) or eTG. (pub: Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd, Victoria, Australia).   (Computer access available online via the library)
• Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary (current edition), Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Library ref. RS141.8.A97 2012

Recommended text(s):

• Rutter P, Newby D. Community Pharmacy Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment (current edition). Churchill-Livingstone, Sydney ISBN 9780729538244.
• Chen T, Moles R, Nishtala, P, Basger, B. Medication review: a process guide for pharmacists. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, 2010 [ISBN 9780646524207].  ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Library ref. RS100.4.A8.C37 2010
• Chisholm-Burns MA., Schwinghammer TL., Wells BG., et al. (current edition) Pharmacotherapy Principles & Practice. McGraw Hill.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Any assessment item submitted WITHOUT the specified information on the first page will be returned to the student and not marked until this requirement is met.  Late penalties will be applied (see below).

The following conditions will apply to late submissions without an approved extension:

• Mark adjustment: 5% of the maximum mark available for the assessment task will be deducted for each day late up until seven days late. For example an essay awarded 60% (60/100) submitted 2 days late will receive a mark adjustment of 5% per day, therefore, the adjusted maximum mark for that item will be 50% (50/100).
• Similarly, if the weighting is used then a piece of work worth 50% of the unit which received 30/50 would be reduced by 2.5 marks per day (i.e. 5% of 50) and would therefore receive a maximum adjusted mark of 25/50 if late by two days.
• Submissions received more than 7 days after the prescribed date and time will not be accepted for marking, a mark of zero (0) will be awarded for the item.
• For the purposes of these penalties, all days of the week count, including weekends and public holidays, even when the University may be closed.
• The minimum possible mark for late submission is zero.
• For clarification, one (1) minute past the specified due date and time may be considered a late submission.

It is students' responsibility to be familiar with the electronic submission process (e.g., the use of Canvas and Plagarism checking software). Students are reminded to ensure they plan well enabling adequate time to submit assessments prior to the deadline, in order to avoid a mark adjustment.

Extensions to assignments, placements, deferred intra-semester tests and examinations 

Students can apply for an extension to the due date for submission/completion of an assessment item on the grounds of illness or other unavoidable and verifiable personal circumstances (specific details are found through the Assessment Policy and Procedures Section 9.12). Extensions must be applied for before the due date as outlined above. For illness on the day of the assessment, the Assignment Extension form with relevant documentation must be lodged to the Unit Convener within three days of the scheduled exam, test, assignment, placement or assessment submission.The Extension Form is available via MyºÚÁϳԹÏÍø forms.

It should be noted that such documentation will be considered but will not guarantee that the extension application will be successful. The Unit Convener will decide whether to grant an extension and the length or availability of the extension.

Students are only permitted one extension per assignment and one deferral per examination/test/ placement (on the grounds of illness or other unavoidable and verifiable personal circumstances as per ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø policies) unless otherwise approved. Students must make themselves available for deferred exams and tests which will be scheduled by the unit convenor no later than the Friday of Week 11 for intra-semester exam/test. For placements, please refer to the unit's site for further details and requirements. Students are NOT PERMITTED to defer a deferred intra-semester exam, test or placement. Any student unable to undertake the deferred intra-semester exam, test, assignment or placement will receive a mark of zero or fail grade for the assessment task. 

Students should note that this policy does not apply to deferred final exams which are centrally administered by the examinations office.

In the case of practice education /clinical placements, fieldwork, or other forms of practicums, moderation processes will be outlined on Canvas

Special assessment requirements

You must meet ALL of the following requirements to pass this unit: 

• Pass the final practical (oral) exam (The pass mark for the exam is 50% or higher)
• Pass the final written (theory) exam (The pass mark for the exam is 50% or higher)
• Satisfactory completion of ALL Placements
• Attain an overall unit mark of 50% or higher

Should you fail to pass any of these nominated assessment items, you will fail the Unit.

Additional Assessment

Students who fail the Final practical (oral) exam, but achieve marks greater than 50% for the Final written (theory) exam, and greater than 50% overall, will be offered an additional oral exam. Please refer to Section 5a (Assessment item: Practical (oral) exam) and the unit's Canvas site for detail about the additional exam to be held in the deferred exam period.

Students who fail the Final written theory exam, but achieve marks greater than 50% for the Final oral exam, and greater than 50% overall, will be offered an additional written exam to be held in the deferred exam period.

Supplementary Academic Integrity Information

Pharmacy students are expected to complete the AIM Quiz in the first two (2) weeks of their course.

No submitted assessment pieces will be marked in this unit until the Aim Quiz has been completed (proof of successful AIM completion may be requested by the Unit Convener).

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø students have to complete the annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

This unit involves placements and therefore, additional student responsibilities are required in addition to those described in this section. Work-place learning requires strict adherence to professional practice principles and ethics. Client/patient confidentiality must always be maintained, including for assessment items such as reports or essays. The professional nature of this unit also requires 100% participation at all learning activities (lectures, practicals, etc. if scheduled- see section 3) for the successful completion of this unit (also see section 6c). If attendance requirements cannot be satisfied (e.g. timetable clash), it is recommended that you meet your Course Convener to schedule this unit for a future semester.

Participation requirements

This Unit contains participatory elements which are vital to the Australian Pharmacy Council professional learning outcomes for this Unit. Except in the case of extenuating circumstances, 100% attendance is expected at all lectures, and 100% participation is required in all placements, externships, tutorials, practicals and presentations. It is expected that students unable to fulfil these participation requirements will inform the Unit Convener as soon as practical, by telephone or email. If attendance requirements cannot be regularly satisfied (e.g. timetable clash) it may be recommended that you schedule this unit for a future semester. Absence from external placement activities must also be reported to the relevant clinical placement coordinator and preceptor. Failure to adhere to these requirements may result in failure of the associated assessment piece. Consideration will be given for illness; however evidence such as a medical certificate will be required.

Contact details for the Unit Convenor and the Faculty of Health Placement Administration Office are given in Section 1.

Students undertaking this unit certify that they have completed the Safety Declaration Form for Practical Class Work. If students are unsure or not completed this declaration they should contact the unit convenor.

Required IT skills

Students should be conversant with searching for and accessing information via electronic means; the use of Canvas; and word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software.   

In-unit costs

The following costs are expected for this unit:

• Purchasing of text books, self-printing of electronically provided material
• Pre-placement vaccinations
• Transport or other costs associated with work integrated learning (placement) activities
• Discipline uniform and name badge to be worn on placements

Work placement, internships or practicums

This unit involves a Clinical Placement, and therefore, additional student responsibilities are required in addition to those described in this section.

Students must adhere to University policy during WIL experiences, including the Student Conduct Rules 2018, the WIL Policy and WIL Procedure, and the Assessment Policy and Assessment Procedure.

This unit has pre-placement requirements (e.g. Working with Vulnerable People registration, immunisations, recording of relevant details in InPlace etc), which must be completed prior to commencement of your <placement/internship/WIL project/fieldwork/simulation>; refer to Placement Requirements

Contact your unit convener if you have any concerns with meeting the requirements of this unit.

Work-place learning requires strict adherence to professional practice principles and ethics. Client/patient confidentiality must always be maintained, including for assessment items such as reports or essays. The professional nature of this unit also requires 100% participation at all learning activities (lectures, practicals etc. if scheduled – see section 3) for the successful completion of this unit (also see section 6c).

If attendance requirements cannot be satisfied (e.g. timetable clash), it is recommended that you meet with your Course Convener to schedule this unit for a future semester.

To complete this unit, pharmacy students must successfully complete the minimum number of placement hours stated in this unit outline. However, students may choose to complete additional hours of work integrated learning (WIL) or experiential pharmacy placement. A written request must be submitted and approved by the unit convener prior to the commencement of any additional WIL. Please note paid employment does not contribute to additional WIL

Clinical placements and externships are an essential part of the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Pharmacy courses. They enable knowledge to be embedded in a clinical context through the use of trained clinical preceptors and practicing professionals. This cannot be attained in any other setting. The control of access to external facilities derives from contractual arrangements with ACT Health and other organisations and ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø is obliged to accept the rules and regulations that govern who they will accept into their premises. It is beyond ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø's control to influence the health facilities to change their acceptability requirements.

• The successful completion of clinical placements/externships is a mandatory element of the Unit and the assessment of the Unit; and
• Some or all of the external agencies require a police check prior to permitting a student to undertake the clinical placement/externship; and
• The results of the police check may be used as a basis to refuse access to a clinical placement/externship at the external agency. This decision is solely at the discretion of the external agency; and
• Students unable to gain access to a clinical placement/externship at agencies approved by the University are unable to complete the mandatory requirements of the Unit. In this case the student will receive a NX (fail) grade and will not be eligible for a refund of any fees; and
• If the successful completion of a Unit is a mandatory requirement for the completion of a Course, an inability to complete the Unit means the student is unable to complete the requirements of the Course.

Students also need to note that the external agency reserves the right to withdraw access to a clinical placement/externship at any time prior or during a placement/externship at the sole discretion of the agency. In these circumstances the same implications noted above will apply.

Students also need to note that they bear the full risk in relation to loss of access to clinical placements/externship and the University will not be liable if an agency withdraws access to a clinical placement/externship because of the actions or omissions of a student.

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø pre-placement requirements â€“ e.g. vaccines, manual handling, police checks etc.

As part of this unit, students are required to undertake professional placement. Students must complete their pre-placement requirements before being able to undertake professional placement. Pre-placement requirements are to be uploaded to InPlace. After these requirements are completed (uploaded to InPlace and verified (green status), students will be allocated to their Professional Placements as required by their course of study.  Pre-placement requirements are located at:  

Please referred to Canvas for pre-placement requirements and due dates

Student who have not met preplacement requirements by the specified due date will not be allocated a placement. This will result in a fail grade for the unit.

Industry mandatory pre-placement requirements (e.g. ACT Health & NSW e-learning modules etc.)

Some practice placement industry partners require students to complete further mandatory pre-placement requirements such as learning packages, prior to the commencing placement. Students will received specific instructions on what Industry mandatory pre-placement requirements are required to be completed and how to upload certificates of completion.  A due date will be set by the industry partner. Students are to complete the Industry mandatory pre-placement requirements and submit completion evidence as per the instructions of the specific industry partner by the due date.

Failure to complete mandatory industry partner pre-placement requirements by the due date will result in the practice placement being cancelled. This will result in a fail grade for the unit.

Additional information

Privacy and Confidentiality

As part of its partnership arrangements with Health Agencies, the Faculty of Health at the University of Canberra is aware of the issue of confidentiality of information gained from clinical placements and externships. Students are expected to analyse their experiences from these as part of their academic study. In order to support learning while protecting confidentiality of information, the following guidelines have been developed:

• Pseudonyms should be used for the names of patients and organisations in all academic work.
• Identifying information, including demographic information, should be modified in academic work, using terminology such as ‘similar to'.
• Students should mark all academic work with sensitive information as ‘in-confidence' in the footer.
• Students should develop ‘composite' patients/clients based upon their experiences with several patients or clients in one clinical experience if possible. Students should note that this is a ‘composite' and not intended to identify a single person.
• Students should use the password-protect function on their word processing programs to further guard sensitive information.
• Students should avoid naming other students in academic work, such as reflective pieces or portfolios.
• Students should attend workshops for health science students on how to change information about patients in line with these recommendations.

For further information students may visit 

Pharmacy Style Guide for report formatting

Unless otherwise approved (in writing), all written assessment pieces (formative and summative) must conform to the following requirements:

• Headings in bold, maximum font size 16 pt.
• Font size: 11 pt – Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri.
• Margins no less than 1.5cm on all sides.
• Page number at bottom right hand corner of footer.
• Student identification number (number only) at top right hand corner of header.
• References given in NLM/Vancouver style (chronological numeric) ONLY. Information on this referencing styles can be found on the library website at 
• Privacy statements if required.
• Assignment requirements (first page) as per Section 5b above.
• Any word limits specified in assignments (in this Unit Outline or in task descriptions on the unit's Canvas) will INCLUDE all tables, figures and appendices, but EXCLUDE references (unless otherwise stated).
• Submissions which exceed the specified word (or page) length will be truncated at the word (or page) limit and only assessed to this point.

Mandatory Notifications to the Pharmacy Board of Australia

Pursuant to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009, pharmacy practitioners (registered pharmacists) and education providers have an obligation to report ‘notifiable conduct', to the Pharmacy Board of Australia in order to prevent the public being placed at risk of harm. Education providers are also required, under s.143 of the National Law, to make mandatory notifications in relation to students, if the provider reasonably believes:

1. a student enrolled with the provider has an impairment that, in the course of the student undertaking clinical training, may place the public at substantial risk of harm or
2. a student for whom the provider has arranged clinical training has an impairment that, in the course of the student undertaking the clinical training, may place the public at substantial risk of harm.

Practitioners are required to make a mandatory notification in relation to a student if the practitioner reasonably believes that a student has an impairment that, in the course of the student undertaking clinical training, may place the public at substantial risk of harm.

All concerns raised within the Discipline of Pharmacy or by clinical preceptors will be reviewed by the Head of Discipline and the Course Convener before any reporting action is taken.

These professional obligations are taken seriously by staff and the University. Students should be aware of their obligations under student registration.

For further information, please refer to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Pharmacy Guidelines for Mandatory Notifications available at 

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