FARMACIA DIGITALE E SOFTWARE GESTIONALI

1. Knowledge and understanding

At the end of the course, students will be able to describe the fundamental principles of digital health and the digital transformation of the pharmacy profession; illustrate the main characteristics and functionalities of pharmacy management software; explain the operation of the main digital healthcare services, with particular reference to electronic prescribing, dematerialized prescriptions, and Electronic Health Records; and describe the main information flows among pharmacies, citizens, healthcare professionals, and the National Health Service. Students will also be able to recognize the essential principles of personal data protection, privacy, and healthcare information security and describe the main emerging applications of telemedicine, decision-support systems, and artificial intelligence in pharmacy practice.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding

Students will be able to use, at an introductory level, the main functionalities of pharmacy management software; analyse the main digitalized processes of professional pharmacy practice, including prescription management, inventory and stock management, batch management, and drug traceability; identify appropriate digital tools for managing simple professional scenarios; and apply the fundamental principles of healthcare data protection and appropriate data management. Through guided practical activities and case-study analysis, students will apply the acquired knowledge to realistic scenarios of pharmacy practice.

3. Making judgements

Through the discussion of case studies and professional problems, students will be able to critically analyse and evaluate the use of digital tools in pharmacy practice, compare possible technological solutions, identify their advantages, limitations, and main critical issues, and formulate reasoned judgements concerning appropriateness, security, and data management.

4. Communication skills

Students will be able to clearly describe and discuss the operation of the main digital tools and computerized processes used in pharmacy practice, using appropriate technical terminology. They will also be able to present and justify the solutions identified when analysing practical cases and effectively communicate issues related to the digitalization of pharmacy practice.

5. Learning skills

Students will be able to independently retrieve and use technical documentation and updating materials concerning digital tools used in pharmacy practice and update their knowledge in relation to the evolution of pharmacy management software, digital healthcare services, and emerging technologies applied to pharmacy.

The course includes lectures devoted to the main concepts of digital pharmacy and the information systems used in professional pharmacy practice, complemented by practical activities, guided demonstrations of pharmacy management software, and the discussion of case studies.

Practical activities are aimed at applying theoretical knowledge to realistic scenarios of pharmacy practice and at developing the analytical, problem-solving, and critical discussion skills specified in the intended learning outcomes.

Lectures primarily contribute to the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of the main tools and processes of digital pharmacy; practical activities, guided demonstrations, and case-study analysis contribute to developing the ability to apply knowledge, make independent judgements, communicate effectively, and independently address the continuing evolution of digital tools used in professional practice.

Pursuant to the RDA, Article 12 – University Educational Credits (CFU), within the standard workload of 25 total hours of student commitment corresponding to one credit:

(a) seven hours may be devoted to lectures or equivalent instructional activities, with the remaining hours reserved for individual study;

(b) a minimum of twelve and a maximum of fifteen hours may be devoted to classroom exercises or equivalent supervised activities (laboratories), with the remaining hours reserved for individual study and elaboration.

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.

Students can use AI as a study support tool, in compliance with current legislation, including copyright and the use of intellectual property, as described in point 5.1 of the guidelines (https://www.unict.it/it/ateneo/cidia-centro-l%E2%80%99informatica-la-digitalizzazione-e-l%E2%80%99intelligenza-artificiale).

Attendance is mandatory in accordance with the Academic Regulations of the Degree Programme. Absences are permitted for no more than 30% of the total teaching hours, considering all forms of teaching activity.

Academic Regulations of the Degree Programme in Pharmacy: https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/lm-13/regolamento-didattico

1. Introduction to Digital Pharmacy

Evolution of the pharmacist’s role in the digital era.

Digital health: definitions, objectives, and main regulatory aspects.

Digitalization of community and hospital pharmacy services.

2. Pharmacy Management Software

Architecture and main functionalities of pharmacy management software.

Inventory and stock management.

Drug traceability and batch management.

Electronic prescribing and dematerialized prescriptions.

Digital management of professional activities and services to citizens.

3. Healthcare Information Systems

Electronic Health Records.

Principles of healthcare information-system interoperability.

Information flows among pharmacies, healthcare professionals, citizens, and the National Health Service.

4. Data Management and Information Security

Principles of personal data protection and privacy.

Principles of cybersecurity applied to pharmacy practice.

Integrity, confidentiality, and availability of healthcare information.

5. Digital Innovation in Pharmacy Practice

Telemedicine and digital healthcare services.

Artificial intelligence supporting pharmacy practice.

Decision-support systems.

Opportunities, limitations, and future perspectives of digital pharmacy.

6. Practical Activities and Case Studies

Guided demonstration and use of the main functionalities of pharmacy management software.

Analysis and discussion of case studies related to the digital management of pharmacies and pharmaceutical services.

1. Slides, lecture notes, and teaching materials provided by the teacher and made available through the Studium platform.

2. Technical documentation, regulatory materials, and additional readings that may be indicated by the teacher during the course.

Learning assessment is carried out through an oral examination, aimed at assessing the achievement of the intended learning outcomes and the student’s knowledge and understanding of the main topics covered during the course.

The oral examination focuses on the course contents and may include both theoretical questions and questions aimed at assessing the student’s ability to apply the acquired knowledge to simple situations related to professional pharmacy practice.

During the examination, assessment will consider the student’s knowledge and understanding of the principles of digital pharmacy and the main information technologies used in professional practice; the ability to describe and connect different topics covered during the course; the ability to analyse the operation and use of the main digital systems and services; the ability to identify advantages, limitations, and potential critical issues associated with the technologies considered; independent judgement; the relevance and completeness of the answers; clarity of presentation; and the appropriate use of technical terminology.

Grading criteria

Fail: the student demonstrates insufficient or fragmentary knowledge of the main course contents, makes significant conceptual errors, and is unable to appropriately use subject-specific terminology.

18–21: the student demonstrates essential knowledge of the main course topics; the ability to connect and apply acquired knowledge is limited but sufficient; the presentation is generally understandable, although technical terminology is not always precise.

22–25: the student demonstrates satisfactory knowledge of the course contents, is able to connect the main topics and apply acquired knowledge to simple professional situations; the presentation is sufficiently clear and technical terminology is generally appropriate.

26–28: the student demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the course contents, correctly connects different topics, appropriately applies acquired knowledge, and demonstrates good analytical skills and independent judgement; the presentation is clear and technical terminology is appropriately used.

29–30 with honours: the student demonstrates comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of the course topics, excellent ability to connect concepts and critically analyse them, full independence in applying acquired knowledge to different professional situations, and excellent command of technical terminology; the presentation is rigorous, clear, and comprehensive.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it.

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students may also contact Prof. Santina Chiechio (santina.chiechio@unict.it), the CInAP referring teacher for the Department of Drug and Health Sciences.

Examples of examination questions:

1. Describe the concept of digital pharmacy and discuss how digital transformation is changing the main professional activities of pharmacists.

2. Describe the main functionalities of pharmacy management software, with particular reference to inventory and stock management, batch management, and drug traceability.

3. Explain how electronic prescribing and dematerialized prescriptions work, describing the main information flows and the role of pharmacy management software.

4. Describe the Electronic Health Record and explain the concept of healthcare information-system interoperability.

5. Describe the main aspects of personal data protection and healthcare information security in pharmacy practice, with particular reference to the principles of data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

6. Discuss possible applications of artificial intelligence, decision-support systems, and telemedicine in pharmacy practice, highlighting their opportunities, limitations, and potential critical issues.