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Take Your Medicine

How to Be a Savvy Consumer

Dr. Janet Walkow, Dr. Alan Watts, and Dr. Donna Kidwell

Medicines have eradicated or eased the symptoms of many diseases. This course explores the process, challenges and issues facing consumers when it comes to pharmaceutical products. An overview of drug development and approval with a focus on consumer issues will be presented and discussed in the context of regulations, public welfare, and healthcare providers.

Participants from all backgrounds and interest, including scientists, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs and the general public, are encouraged to participate.

Read more

Medicines have eradicated or eased the symptoms of many diseases. This course explores the process, challenges and issues facing consumers when it comes to pharmaceutical products. An overview of drug development and approval with a focus on consumer issues will be presented and discussed in the context of regulations, public welfare, and healthcare providers.

Participants from all backgrounds and interest, including scientists, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs and the general public, are encouraged to participate.

What you'll learn

  • Understand why drugs cost so much
  • Know the difference between brand and generic drug products
  • Discuss the issues related to counterfeit and generic drugs
  • Understand the issues and considerations of manufacturing pharmaceuticals
  • Discuss the role of the FDA in regulations and product approvals
  • Learn how to talk effectively with healthcare professionals and have a greater understanding when reading news stories
  • Recognize the role of personalized medicine in future therapies
  • Learn about the potential and impact of personalized medicine
This course is no longer available. Find a similar course by searching these:
drug development drug approval consumer issues regulations public welfare pharmaceutical products

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Understand why drugs cost so much
  • Know the difference between brand and generic drug products
  • Discuss the issues related to counterfeit and generic drugs
  • Understand the issues and considerations of manufacturing pharmaceuticals
  • Discuss the role of the fda in regulations and product approvals
  • Learn how to talk effectively with healthcare professionals and have a greater understanding when reading news stories
  • Learn about the potential and impact of personalized medicine
  • Recognize the role of personalized medicine in future therapies

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops advanced expertise in pharmaceutical product development and regulation
Taught by experienced professionals, including professors and industry experts
Explored topics are highly relevant to the pharmaceutical industry
Offers opportunities for discussing ethical issues in healthcare
Provides a comprehensive understanding of the drug development process
Requires background knowledge in science and healthcare

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Career center

Learners who complete Take Your Medicine: How to Be a Savvy Consumer will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Regulatory Affairs Specialists work to ensure medications are safe for consumption, and to meet regulatory requirements. This course can build your foundation by teaching the drug approval process and what is required by healthcare providers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives must be very knowledgeable about the medications they are selling. This course may be useful in teaching about counterfeit versus generic medications, and by giving granular details about pharmaceutical manufacturing.
See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Medical Writer
Medical Writers are responsible for creating written content related to healthcare and medicine. This course may assist in building a strong foundation by teaching about regulations related to medications, and the application process for medications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Writer
Pharmacist
Pharmacists work closely with patients to ensure they receive the right medications and dosages. This course can expand knowledge on medications and side effects, and how to advise patients effectively.
See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacist
Healthcare Consultant
Healthcare Consultants advise healthcare providers on a range of patient care and business operation issues. This course can provide a foundation on understanding the pharmaceutical industry and how it relates to healthcare operations.
See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Consultant
Quality Assurance Analyst
Quality Assurance Analysts in pharmaceuticals are responsible for ensuring that pharmaceutical products are safe and effective. This course may assist by giving insight into the drug approval process and regulations.
See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst
Clinical Research Associate
Clinical Research Associates manage clinical trials to gather data on the safety and efficacy of medications. This course can provide a foundation on understanding the drug development process and regulations.
See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Research Associate
Health Policy Analyst
Health Policy Analysts analyze and develop policies related to healthcare issues. This course may assist by giving a deeper understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and its impact on healthcare.
See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst
Medical Science Liaison
Medical Science Liaisons interact with healthcare providers to provide information about medications and disease states. This course may be useful by giving insight into the drug approval process and the different considerations in manufacturing pharmaceuticals.
See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Science Liaison
Pharmaceutical Market Researcher
Pharmaceutical Market Researchers conduct research on the pharmaceutical market to identify trends and opportunities. This course may help by giving context to market research and consumer considerations on medications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmaceutical Market Researcher
Drug Safety Officer
Drug Safety Officers monitor and analyze the safety of medications after they are on the market. This course may assist by providing deeper knowledge of the pharmaceutical approval process, counterfeit medications, and side effect considerations.
See salaries and explore the career path for Drug Safety Officer
Pharmaceutical Patent Attorney
Pharmaceutical Patent Attorneys specialize in obtaining and defending patents for pharmaceutical products. This course may assist by providing a foundation on drug development, FDA regulations, and the role of intellectual property in the pharmaceutical industry.
See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmaceutical Patent Attorney
Health Educator
Health Educators teach the public about health issues. This course may assist by providing insight into medications and side effects for better patient care.
See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator
Pharmacoepidemiologist
Pharmacoepidemiologists study the use and effects of medications in large populations. This course can provide foundational knowledge on drug development and the process for FDA approval.
See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacoepidemiologist
Toxicologist
Toxicologists study the effects of toxic substances on humans and the environment. This course may be useful by providing context on drug side effects and interactions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Toxicologist

Featured in The Course Notes

This course is mentioned in our blog, The Course Notes. Read one article that features Take Your Medicine: How to Be a Savvy Consumer:
Fitness, Wellness & Nutrition
19 minute read

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Course image
Effort
2 to 3 hours per week for 4 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
The University of Texas at Austin
Instructors
Dr. Janet Walkow
Dr. Alan Watts
Dr. Donna Kidwell
Language
English
Transcript
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops advanced expertise in pharmaceutical product development and regulation
Taught by experienced professionals, including professors and industry experts
Explored topics are highly relevant to the pharmaceutical industry
Offers opportunities for discussing ethical issues in healthcare
Provides a comprehensive understanding of the drug development process
Requires background knowledge in science and healthcare
Featured in The Course Notes
Read one article that features this course, Take Your Medicine: How to Be a Savvy Consumer from our blog, The Course Notes:
Fitness, Wellness & Nutrition
19 minute read
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