TRAINING TO BECOME A PHARMACIST

Education and Training of Pharmacists

Pharmacists must earn a minimum of a bachelor of pharmacy (B. Pharm.) degree from accredited schools or faculties of pharmacy. The bachelor’s degree is however fast becoming replaced with a new degree known as the Pharm. D degree (doctor of pharmacy) which already is the minimum acceptable in many parts of the world,
for instance in the United States. In Nigeria, only the University of Benin offers the Pharm. D programme at the moment, while many are expected to join the list soonest.

For admission, applicants must possess five credits in English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology in WAEC/NECO at not more than two sittings. The entrance examination is UTME. Applicants must obtain reasonably high points with a very good Post UTME scores. Direct Entry admission is possible for those who possess three ‘A’ Level passes in chemistry, biology, and physics or a good first degree in related fields.

Bachelor of pharmacy programme lasts for a minimum of five years for UTME entrants, and four years for direct entry students. Pharm. D programme however runs for a minimum of six years with particular emphasis on patients care, clinical rounds and pharmaceutical care. During your training to become a pharmacist, you will take courses in the basic sciences (biology, mathematics, chemistry, physics); basic medical sciences (biochemistry, anatomy, physiology); and the various pharmacy departments of pharmacognosy, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutics and pharmaceutical technology, clinical pharmacy, and pharmacology.

The training is rigorous and demands high dose of seriousness, hard work and focus. Generally, you need to score 50% and above before you are deemed to have passed a course; while there are courses where the pass mark is 60%.

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