How To Become A Pharmacy Technician In Nigeria

Pharmacy Technician in Nigeria
Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians are a group of trained personnel who assist the pharmacist in all aspects of practice. They were introduced by Pharmacists Council Of Nigeria (P.C.N) some years ago. The schools that have been licenced to run the program include most state-owned school of health technology e.g. School of Health Technology, Ofuoma, Ughelli. This is in addition to some other health institutions including some newly approved private health institute. These schools also offer other health-related courses such as Community Health Extension Workers (C.H.E.W). In all and all, the method of admission and training is similar.
The program introduces students to basic concepts in pharmaceutical technology, record keeping, pharmacy law and ethics and pharmacology. It involves classroom and laboratory training, dispensing medication, prepare sterile products and manages prescriptions.

Criteria To Gain Admission To Study Pharmacy Technician

The process starts from the subjects offered during secondary schools in which senior school certification examination (West African Examination Council, W.A.E.C, National Examination Council, N.E.C.O or General Certificate Examination, G.C.E) is written to obtain at least five credits in English language, mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology in not more than two sittings.
Most health institutions organised entrance examinations for those seeking admission into their institution of which the best are selected. The institution of choice determines the cut-off mark for admission to study the course, which varies from each year. Successful candidates are screened with their various credentials like a birth certificate and local government of origin.
Read Also: Tips On Starting Off A Community Pharmacy Shop In Nigeria

After Gaining Admission To Study Pharmacy Technician

The program is for three years of two semesters each for a year. Year 1, consist of general courses like mathematics, science, psychology, medical sciences, humanities, and English language.
The courses that successful candidates do throughout the program include pharmacy law, pharmacology, pharmacy ethics, anatomy, health care system, physiology, medical terminologies, and pharmaceutical care.
Most schools allow a six months clinical training or experience in a reputable institution of the students’ choice of a hospital or a community pharmacy. Here, the student acquires first-hand work experience with pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
Here is the description of what each course looks like.
Interpersonal Communications For The Work Place: This course deals with the good and appropriate communication skills that are needed when interacting with patients and staffs. This is not excluding customers during sales of drugs in a community setting. It involves verbal and non-verbal skills of communication.
Pharmacy Calculations: Fundamental mathematics concept, applied mathematics, best practice for using mathematics and formulas to solve. Most of the mathematics are calculations are for dispensing.
Pharmacology: Human anatomy and physiology of nervous system that has to deal with various structures of the body and how they function as well as drugs for the treatment nervous system disorders.
Over The Counter (O.T.C) Drugs:  Advanced knowledge of non-prescription drugs and medications, customers service skills and pharmaceutical ethics.
Pharmacy Law: Comprehensive knowledge of relevant state and federal laws relating to pharmacy practice within Nigeria. Ethical considerations and legal issues pertaining to pharmacy technicians practising at all aspect of their careers.
Introduction To Pharmacy: Pharmacy and medical terms including basic pharmacy operations. Administration of medicines with basic measures to enhance results.
Dosage Forms And Routes Of Administration:  Systems and best practices, mathematical techniques and methodologies. The different types of dosage forms like capsules and tablets and the best and suitable route of administering such dosage like injection or oral.
Science Of Pharmacology: The drug approval process for new drugs and drug administration processes for individual patients.
Hospital Pharmacy Practice: Basic guidelines for working in hospital settings with their operations. The role of pharmacy technicians in a hospital setting.
Pharmacy Ethics: Basic laws governing pharmacy and pharmacy practice in Nigeria including pharmacy technicians. Ethical considerations for a different customer in various situations and lastly, pharmacy technicians code of conducts.
Read Also: What Pharmacy Technicians Need To Know After Graduation In Nigeria

After Graduating From Pharmacy Technician School

After graduating from pharmacy technician school, successful candidates will be given pharmacy technician certificate with which they can practice in such capacity. That is after the holder of pharmacy assistant certificate have undergone at least two (2) years work experience post-graduation before applying for the Pharmacy Technicians Conversion Program.
For those who wants to study pharmacy in the university, all they need to do is to apply for direct entry into a PCN approved university and if they are successfully admitted with the certificate, they will start from 200 level according to the university guidelines of choice.
And for those who wish to practice, there are several career opportunities which shall be discussed in the next article.
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Comments

  1. After obtaining a certificate of pharmacy tehnician can one open a pharmacy store as a career business

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  2. You can open a pharmacy store in Nigeria but you can't use your Pharmacy technician certificate for registration. You can only use a pharmacist licence which should cost you some money

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  3. But can a pharmacy technician have a doctorate degree?
    And can a pharmacy technician dispense drug?

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    Replies
    1. Yes of course you can get to a doctorate level. By following the right process. You can dispense some medication

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  4. can i become a pharm technicain after my B.tech program in pharm. techonology

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    Replies
    1. If i finish from ofuoma school of health as a pharmacy technician . can I open a pharmacy store

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    2. You can't open a pharmacy store with your pharmacy technician license. You can sort for a pharmacy licence

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  5. I have Bsc in Environmental science what level will I start from and as pharmacy technician if I can't open pharmacy store then what's the advantage as pharmacy technician

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    Replies
    1. Pls rephrase your question. It is not clear to me. I will appreciate if you can use punctuation

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  6. What course should I study in order to open chemist or pharmacy store sir

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  7. Hi sir... I schooled in Benin Republic and graduated with Pharmaceutical and food technology (as an option in Bsc Industrial Engineering) I really need your guidance at this point. if possible i will like to have a chat with you +2347062402398 or grandson006@gmail.com

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  8. i Will be greateful if am counselled on that

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  9. Which schools offer the course in Nigeria

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  10. If I want to open a pharmacy shop as a pharmacy technician and I can't use my certificate, what then is the benefit of my certificate?

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    Replies
    1. Pharmqcy technician are in short supply. Maybe you should Google career opportunity for pharm tech

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  11. I have a BS.C degree can I use this to gain admission in year two at pharmacy technician school?

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    1. Ffor school of health technology that have pharm tech 1 and 2, you can enter 2 directly without passing through 1. But with a BSC degree, pharmacy year 2 would have been a good target. that will depend on the course of study

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  12. Which body regulate registration and certification of pharmacy technician, for example,PCN regulates that of the pharmacist ?
    Thanks

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  13. Can you list the universities that have so far admitted any of the qualified technicians into Pharmacy Course at 200 level as I applied in University of Uyo, but turned down.

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    Replies
    1. The was pass last year. Maybe this year or next it will be fully implemented

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  14. Pls, I need more knowledge on how to become a pharmacist, I finished from school of health as a pharm. Technology nd I don't know how to go further.

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    Replies
    1. You can rwad requirements on how to become a pharmacist. There are several post in this blog to help candidates know what they will likely face in pharmacy and how to become a pharmacist

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  15. Hi , can I use the certificate i have as a pharm tech to gain direct entry to study pharmacy in a university?
    Thank you

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    1. For pharmaceutical technology, the answer is no. For pharmacy technician, the certificate have been approved by pcn awaiting the commencement from the different schools of pharmacy. School Senates are behind the delay in implementation

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  16. Pls pharmacy technician certificate are always turn down for admission into direct entry is so annoying why.

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    1. Yeah i know but hopefully soon as it has already been approved

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    2. Please after using 3 years in school of health as a pharmacist technician, can I get a job or open a pharmacy without furthering?

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    3. You can get a job as a Pharm tech. you cannot open a community pharmacy

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  17. Please I have lower credit in my certificate, and I heard that to enter through direct entry you must have upper credit,please how true is this.

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    Replies
    1. For degree that are classified, yes. Unclassified degrees like MBBS does not

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  18. What's the best school will you recommend for someone to study pharmacy technician? And have it been implemented that a pharmacy technician can apply for 200 level with direct entry in universities?

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    1. All the school of health running pharmacy technician have been approved and any one is ok. As for direct entry into pharmacy, it has been approved by pcn but yet to be implemented by the different pharmacy school

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  19. I studied science lab tech can I cross to study pharm tech

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  20. Can a pharmacy technician open a store to sell drugs, injections and drips.

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  21. Is online course pharmacy tech. available and how is the certificate awarded or obtained?
    Is there age limit to become a pharm.technician?

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    Replies
    1. There is online course for pharmacy technician and there is no age limit. In most cases, the cert is mailed to you. For some, it is waybill. However, not all countries accept the online degree

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  22. Do you offer personal counselling?
    Can I visit your office personally because I am interested.

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    Replies
    1. You can reach via any of my social media

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  23. Pls I obtained a pharmacy technician certificate online. Is there any professional exam that I need to write in Nigeria before practicing the profession?

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    Replies
    1. PCN have not approved of online course to qualify for their examination

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  24. If I graduate from school of health as an pharmacy technician for three year can I go for hnd in another school of health so that I can go for nysc
    If yes which school of health offer hnd for pharmacy technician in Nigeria
    The other question is if I complete hnd and go for nysc
    How much will be my salary
    Because I heard school of health students and university students aren’t the same salary even if they complete the same five years studying a course

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    Replies
    1. There is no HND in pharmacy technician. You can only study another health related course in HND. Very soon, you can use your ond into pharmacy with direct entry

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  25. Please what are the area entrance exam questions would be.
    I'm having exam Tuesday to admit into school of health and technology to study pharmacy technician and I don't know what to read for the exam.

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  26. Focus on your biology, chemistry and physics. The examination is just an extension of secondary school subjects

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  27. Please is there any way I can study pharmacy technician online if there is any please recommend one for me

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  28. I have hnd bus admin, at what level can I start to study pharmacy technician course in Nig. School of health

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  29. How can I get a pharmacist to open a pharmacy for me after obtaining my pharmacy technician certificate

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  30. Please Is MLT a good course? If yes what will it lead me to and what next after it? Thanks

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    Replies
    1. You will assist Medical laboratory scientist in the lab

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  31. Community health can open his own pharmacy in Nigeria

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  32. Dear Sir/Ma.

    Please how will i get pharmacy technician certificate, have BSc. in Industrial Chemistry, do i still need to go through some the processes as those with SSCE, and School of health technology? Please i really need your guide.

    Thanks and Regards.

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    Replies
    1. The process is the same irrespective of any other degree you have had. But why do t you use direct entry into university to study pharmacy instead of pharmacy technician

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  33. Pls am a pharmacy technicians student next year will be my year 1 after 3years of the course can I apply for direct entry into medicine or MBBS in university?

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    Replies
    1. Okkk buy in the next 3years one should be able to use his/her pharmacy technicians cert for pharmacy through direct entry into uni

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    2. I believe it will be possible before then because PCN is working on that

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  34. pls I studied only biology in secondary school can i study Pharmacy Technician

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  35. Any update on pharmacy technician direct entry form?

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  36. Please, I studied literature in English can I possibly study pharmacy technician in school of health technology?

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    Replies
    1. Yes because all they need is your o level result

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  37. How much is pharmacy technicians salary in Nigeria

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    Replies
    1. Depending on the establishment, from 20k naira monthly to 80k

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  38. I just finish my weac dis year and I won't to become a pharmacy what can I do

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    Replies
    1. Fill in for the University of your choice, read and pray

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  39. Pls recommend any school where I do pharmacy technician around lugbe abuja or anywhere else in abuja pls

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    Replies
    1. Check out the list of schools of health with pharmacy technician Programme and the one closest to your location
      https://drugxpert.blogspot.com/2020/06/schoolscolleges-of-health-offering-pharm-tech-degree.html?m=1

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  40. Please how many questions do d ask in d entrance exams for pharmacy technician ND please can u tell more dat is involved in d pharmacy technician program
    U can drop ya mail or no
    2)After d 3yrs program can u get direct entry into pharmacy in unical?

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    Replies
    1. Each school have their own question and number. I do to know which school you are referring to.
      You can search online for more information as to all about Pharm tech.
      For now, no but hopefully in the near future

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    2. pls are there some recommended schools currently enrolling online diploma in pharmacy technician?

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    3. pls I can be contacted via the mail: dahiru@graduate.utm.my

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  41. Please do u need jamb to study pharmacy technician

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    Replies
    1. No but you need some credit pass in your o'level

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  42. Pls sir can i get ur whatsapp number pls?

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  43. How many years program pls

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  44. Pls can someone who studied pharmacy open a pharmaceutical company?

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  45. Pls after having a certificate in pharmacy Technician can you secure admission in NOUN(National Open University of Nigeria) to upgrade your certificate here in Nigeria.

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  46. Please what is the difference between patent drug dealer and a pharmacy technician

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    Replies
    1. A patent drug dealer own a patent medicine store and sells some OTC drugs while a pharmacy technician is a graduate of a Pharmacy technician from a registered school or college of health in Nigeria

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  47. After studying Pharmacy Technician can I open my own pharmacy shop

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  48. Please sir I am a pharmacy technician student 200 level. I need the curriculum from year 1 to 3 to know if my school is going along with the curriculum
    Please help me

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    Replies
    1. I do not have it. You can purchase it at any PCN office at ₦1200 which can change anytime

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  49. Sir from what you've said so far btw pharmaceutical technology from polytechnics and pharmacy technician from school/college of health technology, which one has more advantage to study in Nigeria for future purpose.

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  50. Pls which university can I go to ,to upgrade my pharmacy technician certificate ?

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  51. Please is the certificate of pharmacy technician issued immediately after the 3years program?

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  52. Anonymous10 May, 2022

    Please am a certified Pharmacy technician and I applied for direct entry in Abu Zaria how sure am I to again admission.

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    Replies
    1. depends on the number of applicants an your qualifications

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