INTRODUCTION
The Department of Pharmacy Technicians offers a Professional Diploma in Pharmacy Technician. The department after revitalization in 2014 and accreditation by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) specializes in Pharmacy training and education of a low cadre of pharmacy practitioners. The department offers core pharmacy courses and elective courses for students from other departments.
The department aims at training good and quality pharmacy technicians and other low cadre of pharmacy practitioners. It provides a wide scope of pharmacy training, education, and a guide to practice pharmacy at the grassroots. This also encompasses facing the challenges of practice everywhere in Nigeria.
The department is headed by the head appointed by the provost. The head coordinates academic activities and assigns responsibilities where appropriate. He/She is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the department and liaises with Dean School of Medical Sciences on issues relating to the development of the department. He/She is supported by the academic and non-academic staff to achieve various tasks.
Staff are involved in decision-making through departmental Board Meetings which are held regularly. The committee system is fully operational and comprises Academic Staff appointed to serve committees that are set up to address issues.
PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy of the department is to educate students to have sound knowledge of the discipline and to understand, analyze, and apply the various knowledge in pharmaceutical practice and services in the contemporary international system. Students are trained to understand and apply various pharmaceutical arts and skills to solve and/or resolve pharmacy-related challenges under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist in the health sector.
VISION
The department aims to provide a robust and quality pharmaceutical service support staff for a sustainable and healthy Nigeria and beyond. This will adequately prepare students to not only serve in various capacities in the pharmaceutical sector but also progress to the climax of their career in pharmacy under the guidance of Pharmacists.
MISSION
The mission of the department is to serve as the center for teaching, learning, research, and community services.
OBJECTIVES
- To train suitably qualified persons in the basic knowledge of handling simple medicines for use at a grass-root level under the supervision of a registered Pharmacist.
- To train suitable persons to the level of rendering effective assistance to registered pharmacists.
- To train suitably qualified persons who can grow into becoming professionals in pharmacy practice in Nigeria and beyond.
- To provide competent graduates that will contribute to the national and international development in the health sector.
- To inculcate ethical and moral behaviours
ENTRY REQUIREMENT FOR NEW STUDENTS
For admission, a candidate should have at least five (5) credits which must include English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics in any of GCE, WASC, SSSC, WAEC, NECO or NABTEB at not more than two (2) sittings.
Duration of Programme
The programme shall last two (2) calendar years, comprising the first two years for classroom, then the next 12 months for practical experience (six months in Hospital and six months in community pharmacy setting). Effort is in place to liaise with National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) to harmonize the training of Pharmacy Technicians for a National Diploma that will qualify graduates to Direct Entry into the School of Pharmacy in the Universities.
Indexing Procedure
The College shall verify students’ entry qualification(s) from the appropriate examination boards not later than six months after admission and present the students for indexing by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) using the approved forms and paying the prescribed fees.
Effort is in place to liaise with National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) to harmonize the training of Pharmacy Technicians for a National Diploma that will qualify graduates to Direct Entry into the School of Pharmacy in the Universities.