An Introduction To Pharmacy School Laboratory In Nigeria

Pharmacy School Laboratory

Practical, being the most basic and effective tool for imparting knowledge into students goes hand in hand with a theory for better understanding and concept building. This is especially important in the medical field including pharmacy. Pharmacy laboratories are concerned with prescribing, compounding and dispensing of drugs.

For this reasons, pharmacy laboratories are place were strict rules made must be adhered to. Before we continue, let see how pharmacy laboratories are organised.

Pharmacy school is made up of six departments. Each department has one or more laboratories. They are organised in such a way that the student can combine all knowledge gain from each one when in the laboratory. However, this is one post in a series on pharmacy laboratories coming soon.

General Pharmacy Laboratories

The laboratories are made up of reagents, apparatus, animals (rats) and equipment. They are arranged in the laboratory when not in use and brought out when needed. All reagents are well labelled accordingly.

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A laboratory technician manages each laboratory. There may be more than one. A lecturer who is a pharmacist monitors each practical.

From the beginning of the semester, all students are expected to buy each departmental laboratory manual. The manual will be used throughout the semester. The price may be different for each department.

There is always practical for each department every semester until graduation. The nature of practical becomes more technical as the years progresses.

Each student is expected to come to each practical class with the laboratory manual, writing materials, and in some cases pharmaceutical codex.

Dress code is English attire for everyone. For the avoidance of doubts, the male is to put on a plain trouser, belt to hold in in place, a t-shirt with a tie. This must be used with a white laboratory coat worn at all times and a head net. The rules are similar for women with an emphasis on their hair, which must be short or tied.

Bags are kept outside or at a corner in the laboratory to avoid trip and fall and to guide against laboratory theft.

The beginning of each practical starts with the introduction of the practice for that day by the lecturer. Each process is analysed with the reason for the experiment. Any calculation is done before the laboratory technician takes over.

Each student participates in the experiment even if the practice is done in pairs or group. Sometimes, the result is instant while some others may take days. The result is taken and recorded.

Each practical experiment must be documented in report style format. Funny enough, each department has some slight difference in writing practical report style, which would be explained by the department during 200 level practical. The report can be in the practical manual or in a hardback notebook.

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Submit the report and wait for the score. This goes on and on until graduation.

Note: 100 level practical laboratory and medical laboratories are somewhat similar but not of pharmacy.

Some Common Rules In Pharmacy Laboratory

• No eating
• Discussion should be minimal
• No long nails
• Come early to practical class
• Report any case of damage or bodily injury to the laboratory technician or lecturer

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