Special population

Musiime Innocent

The material defines pharmacotherapy and explains why dosing cannot follow a one‑size‑fits‑all approach. It reviews physiological changes that affect drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in pregnancy, children, the elderly, renal failure, and liver disease. Clinical implications such as altered therapeutic windows, increased adverse effect risk, and polypharmacy burdens are highlighted. Safe drug classes for children and dosing adjustments for renal impairment are listed, and guidance on prescribing for hepatic dysfunction is provided. References to standard pharmacology texts and Ugandan chronic kidney disease guidelines support the content.