DRAFT An Introduction to Pharmacoepidemiology (EPI 262)

Introduction to Pharmacoepidemiology

Spring 2026 (2 units)

This course provides an overview of methods, data sources, and selected topics in pharmacoepidemiology. Seminar topics include: review of epidemiologic methods and study designs typically used in pharmacoepidemiology, discussions on the use of pharmacoepidemiology and real-world evidence (RWE) in drug safety research and regulatory decision-making, an overview of health outcomes and health economics research, pharmacoepidemiology and vaccine development, biomarker screening, and a discussion of ethics and conflicts of interest in pharmacoepidemiology. This course is designed to complement other epidemiology courses.

 
Objectives

Upon completing this course, students will be able to:

  • Identify and be able to apply key epidemiologic study designs for pharmacoepidemiologic research. 
  • Identify key data sources used in pharmacoepidemiology.
  • Perform a critical evaluation of the strengths, potential biases, and limitations for a specific study or body of research on drug safety and effectiveness research.
  • Demonstrate analytical knowledge to show when advanced pharmacoepidemiologic methods, such as propensity score, marginal structural models, and instrumental variables, can be used to improve study design and causal interpretation.
  • Understand current issues of "fit for purpose" characterization of real-world data, data quality, and assessment of bias in the use of RWE for regulatory decision-making. 
  • Describe ethical issues in the conduct of pharmacoepidemiologic studies.
Prerequisites

Introduction to Epidemiology coursework. 

Faculty
Format

 

This course will have numerous guest speakers with direct experience on specific topics related to pharmacoepidemiology.  This course will be held via Zoom, with the first class meeting in person.  

Lecture: Wednesdays, 1:00 - 3:00 PM, April 1 - June 3, 2026 

 

Materials

All course materials and handouts will be posted on the course's online syllabus.
 

Grading

Grades will be based upon a take-home final and an oral presentation. 

Only UCSF students (defined as individuals enrolled in UCSF degree or certificate programs) will receive academic credit for courses. Official transcripts are available to UCSF students only. A Certificate of Course Completion will be available upon request to individuals who are not UCSF students and satisfactorily pass all course requirements.

UCSF Graduate Division Policy on Disabilities

To Enroll