How To Become A 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.
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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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