FRM9540 – Photoreactivity of Medicines
Course description
Course content
The subject gives an overview of photoreactive drug substances and chemical entities within a molecule that might induce photochemical reactions. Standardization of photochemical stability testing and interpretation of the results will be discussed. Further, the influence of excipients, container and storage conditions, and the effect of reformulation on the photostability of the drug product will be focussed with respect to both liquid and solid dosage forms. Drug phototoxicity with the emphasis on skin and eye is also a topic for discussion. The principles for light activated drug formulations or drug compounds are also discussed and photochemical and photophysical methods (i.e. steady state and life time methods) for evaluation and characterization of drug photoreactivity are introduced.
Learning outcome
The aim of the course is to give a background in drug photoreactivity necessary for evaluation of tentative precautions needed for light protection in vitro and/or in vivo. Further, the student should be able to advice health personnel or regulating authorities on drug photoreactivity issues. The student should also be able to perform photostability studies according to the ICH Guideline and to use light as an activation factor in drug targeting.
Admission to the course
PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations through Studentweb.
If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included. Some national researchers’ schools may have specific rules for ranking applicants for courses with limited intake capacity.
PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must apply for a position as a visiting student within a given deadline.
Formal prerequisite knowledge
A 5-year master degree in relevant topics is required.
Recommended previous knowledge
Good knowledge of drug design and production, simular to FRM2020 – Production, Quality Control and Distribution of Medicinal products (discontinued), FRM2030 – Quality Assurance in Drug Production (discontinued), FRM3000 – Pharmaceutics (discontinued) and FRM3010 – Formulation, Production, and Control of Sterile Pharmaceutical Preparations (discontinued) of the 5-year masterprogramme in pharmacy.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with FRM5540 – Photoreactivity of Medicines (discontinued).
Teaching
Groupsessions and self-study.
The textbook is the curriculum.
Each Ph.D.-student is expected to give several oral presentasjons in english before the other students from different chapters of the textbook.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
The course can be canceled if the number of students enrolled is low.
Examination
A four hour written exam/oral exam depending on the number of students.
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses:
Examination support material
As of 1 August, 2016, the use of own calculators is no longer permitted. Casio FX-991EX calculators are handed out to all exam candidates at the beginning of the exam.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
This course offers both postponed and resit of examination. Read more:
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.