13 Best Pharmacy Schools in Ghana-Cost & Programs

In this article, we will not only look at the pharmacy schools in Ghana, we will also look at the requirements to become a pharmacist in Ghana. Understanding the origin and development of pharmacy education in Ghana is significant for training, practice and healthcare reforms. 

In Ghana, education in pharmacy began during the 1880s with the training of dispensers in a government hospital.

Over the years, the educational program and institutional courses changed and right now pharmacists are educated in colleges. In this article, we will explore pharmacy schools in Ghana programs and the courses they offer.

Pharmacy involves the art, science and study of the preparation and standardization of drugs. It is a field that connects health sciences with the chemical sciences. 

Pharmacy has a wide scope spreading over the development of restorative plants, a combination of chemical compounds of medicinal value and the analysis of medicinal agents. 

A pharmacist is a scientifically-trained healthcare professional who is an expert in all aspects of the supply and utilization of prescriptions. As a career, Pharmacists administer drugs, offer counsel on the safe utilization of remedies and lead wellbeing and health screenings among different jobs. Reflecting contemporary Pharmacy schooling patterns, the Program has been developed in consultation with professionals from all areas of Pharmacy.

Requirements To Become A Pharmacist In Ghana

According to The Pharmacy Council of Ghana, Ghana Pharmacy Professional Qualifying Examination (GPPQE) is part of the prerequisites for becoming a Pharmacist in Ghana. The examination is organized two (2) times a year, usually in August and December of each year, subject to change by the Council.

It is open to both Ghana and foreign-educated graduates holding the required qualifications – Bachelor of Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy. You can only be registered as a Pharmacist only after passing this examination.

For a candidate to be eligible to write the GPPQE He/She must:

  • Hold a degree in Pharmacy or its equivalent that qualifies the applicant to register in the country where it was obtained.

  • The candidate should have undergone the 12-month rotational internship program organized by the Pharmacy Council for fresh graduates without professional experience or a 3-month abridged internship for foreign-based practicing pharmacists.

  • Satisfactory Preceptors’ assessment report must have been submitted to the Pharmacy Council.

  • For foreign practicing Pharmacists, the person should have done at least 12 months post qualification practice experience.

Administrative Requirements: The candidate should have applied in the prescribed manner to write the examination and Paid the prescribed fee.

Ghana fresh graduates pay a prescribed examination fee of GH₵350.00 while foreign applicants (fresh graduates) pay GH₵3,200.00. Foreign-based practicing pharmacists who apply to write the GPPQE in Ghana pay a fee of GH₵4,000.00

To register for the GPPQE, click here or visit the GPPQE website for more details.

The List of Pharmacy Schools In Ghana

The University of Ghana – School of Pharmacy

The University of Ghana – School of Pharmacy, one of the six schools under the College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, has a long tradition of training world-class professionals.  

The school has highly experienced, committed and pleasant lecturers and scientists, many of whom are practicing pharmacists. 

This training program exposes students early to hospitals, community pharmacies and local pharmaceutical industries.  This is done to enable students to link theory to practice and acquire the capabilities and competencies needed to meet today’s pharmaceutical challenges and patient care needs.

Classes are organized in small sizes to enable constant interaction of students and aids lecturers to pay close attention to students and their academic and professional needs.

Departments:

View more details about the Doctor Of Pharmacy Programme Admission Requirements and more.

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Ghana College of Pharmacists (GCPHARM)

The Ghana College of Pharmacists was established by sections 84 to 113  of Act 833,  2011. The Mandate of the College is to promote specialist training in pharmacy, and related disciplines and also continuous professional development.

Ghana College of Pharmacists exists to provide an avenue for enhanced pharmaceutical practice, through the provision of:

  • -Specialist training

  • -Improved trends in pharmaceutical practice and

  • -Effective national policy formulation

This is achieved through the use of top-class motivated staff and resource persons, using contemporary facilities and equipment for quality health care delivery.

They offer admissions to all certified pharmacists in Ghana and all who would like to upgrade their certificates. They offer the best courses, workshops and seminars that train individuals to become professionals.

Academic Faculties:

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School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Cape Coast

The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is newly established and one of four (4) Schools in the College of Health and Allied Sciences (CoHAS).

The School was established in August 2018  to train students to obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD) to expand the healthcare delivery team of professionals. It is an undergraduate professional (first degree) programme and has global recognition.

The goal of the School is to facilitate the training of students to acquire clinical, industrial, and community-based experience in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.

Programs & Department

The school offers a wide range of programs and curricula with  five (5) Departments

Undergraduate (Pharm D)

Post Graduate:

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Entrance University College Of Health Sciences 

Entrance University College of Health Sciences is a private college and the first private University College to offer the Doctor of Pharmacy degree in the West Africa sub-region.

The University was inaugurated on the 2nd of October, 2018, the university college has in full swing currently, the School of Pharmacy (ESOP), offering the Doctor of Pharmacy Program, with School of Nursing (ESON) and School Physical Therapy (ESOPT) in the preparatory stage.

The school is affiliated with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. 

The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program is designed to provide students with the requisite skills and competencies to enable them to provide effective pharmaceutical care.

Students will have hands-on Pharmaceutical Manufacturing practice at the Entrance Pharmaceutical & Research Center. They will also have the opportunity to gather clinical knowledge by working in a Hospital.

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Persons Health College

Persons Health College was founded in 2008 and has been at the forefront of preparing students personally and professionally to achieve their vocational calling.

Students of all backgrounds and religious perspectives study a curriculum that focuses on foundation and professional programs and the development of both personal and societal ethos.

Academic Opportunities are enhanced for student involvement in co-curricular activities including student government, and cultural and societal organizations.

The school is accredited by National Vocation Training Institute (NVTI), Ghana Education Service and approved by City and Guilds, UK and Pharmacy Council Ghana.

They also offer E-learning courses. Tuition cost GHS 1800 to GHs 1900

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Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences KNUST

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology – Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, for over 60 years has continually been a leader in education.

The school has been engaged in training Pharmacists, Pharmaceutical Scientists and Herbal Medical Practitioners in Ghana and the West Africa Sub-region. 

The school is renowned for innovation in Clinical practice and research, and over the years has produced well-trained graduates in the Pharmaceutical sector of the country.  

The Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences runs two flagship programs; 4-year Bsc Herbal Medicine and 6-year Doctor of Pharmacy programs. 

In addition to this, they have a 2-year Doctor of Pharmacy top-up program for practicing pharmacists, the first of its kind in the West Africa sub-region. Also, each of the five departments of the Faculty runs MSc, MPhil and PhD programs in the various disciplines of Pharmacy.

With State-of-the-art classrooms and research facilities, and outstanding student support services including tutoring and disability resources, the Faculty’s learning space is congenial for both local and international students.

Programmes & Departments

BSc. Herbal Medicine

Post Graduate

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Central University College Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Central University College – Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences — (School of Pharmacy) Programmes emphasize blem-solving, critical thinking, and patient-focused content.

This programme also focuses on experiential opportunities across the breadth of practice. The school’s key objective is to provide students with core knowledge in relevant basic sciences.

This includes research methods, education, preparation distribution and administration of drugs and integrated body systems management.

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Kumasi Polytechnic Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Kumasi Polytechnic — Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences formerly called Department of Dispensing Technology (DT), is under the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

This faculty was created by Kumasi Polytechnic in 2011 to accommodate more programs in health sciences to augment the healthcare workforce in Ghana.

The Department, which was established in 1975, and also known as the first institution in Ghana and West Africa which offers Higher National Diploma (HND) Programmes in Pharmacy Technology. 

The school focuses on being a Center of Excellence for training competent, efficient and proactive manpower for the pharmaceutical industry in particular and commerce in general.

Programs:

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The University Of Health And Allied Science School Of Pharmacy

The School of Pharmacy (SOP), the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ho. The School is the newest of the six schools in UHAS.

Therefore, SOP is coming on board, at this stage, to complement the efforts and actions of the Institute of Health Research (IHR) and other UHAS Schools in fulfilling the vision and mission of UHAS. This is because, central to health management are drugs used in the prevention, treatment and management of disease conditions.

Hence, in collaboration with other disciplines found in sister schools and IHR, SOP hopes to contribute to the knowledge of orthodox-, herbal- and food drugs, nutraceuticals, and supplements, especially by providing information on their pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, chemistry and structure-activity-relationships, drug-drug and food-drug interactions, pharmacovigilance, as well as information on newer drug formulation techniques, isolation of newer drug templates, microbial or chemical modifications of existing templates to obtain better drugs, etc. 

Departments & Courses:

The School of Pharmacy is made up of six (6) departments with three (3) of them currently operational. These include:

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology:

  • Clinical Pharmacology

  • Cardiovascular Pharmacology

  • Behavioral Pharmacology

  • Neuro pharmacology

  • Pharmacogenetics

  • Pharmacoeconomics & Toxicology

Department of Pharmaceutics:

  • Introduction to Pharmacy

  • Dispensing

  • Physical Pharmacy

  • Pharmaceutical Technology, and Biopharmaceutics

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry:

  • Foundational Chemistry

  • Organic Chemistry

  • Physical Chemistry

  • Analytical Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry

Department of Pharmacognosy:

  • Introduction Pharmacognosy

  • Phytochemistry

  • Natural Drug Production and Evaluation

  • Phytopharmaceuticals and Plant Poisons

  • Advances in Complementary and Alternative Medicines

  • Veterinary Pharmacy and Agroceuticals

  • Evidence-Based Pharmacy Practice

Department of Pharmacy Practice:

  • Sociology for Pharmacy

  • Pharmacy Communication and Patient Counseling

  • Health Psychology

  • Pharmacy Practice

  • Biostatistics and Research Methods

  • Pathophysiology and Therapeutics

  • Pharmacoeconomics

  • Pharmacy Jurisprudence

  • Pharmacy Epidemiology

  • Clinical Pharmacokinetics

  • Evidence-based Pharmacy

  • Advanced Pharmacy Practice

  • Public Health and Management and Leadership

Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology:

  • Introduction to Microbiology

  • Pharmaceutical Microbiology

  • Immunology

  • Biotechnology and Molecular Biology

  • Chemotherapy

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University of Development Studies

The University for Development Studies (UDS) is Ghana’s first public University in the North. It was established by the Government of Ghana by PNDC Law 279 and gazette on 15th May 1992.

The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences aims to provide higher education to all persons suitably qualified and capable of benefiting from such education

And also to provide higher education to persons suitably qualified for and capable of benefiting from it.

Departments:

  • Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry

  • Department of Pharmaceutics and Microbiology

  • Department of Pharmacognosy and Herbal Medicine

  • Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology

  • Department of Pharmacy Practice

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Sunyani Technical University

Sunyani Technical University is a public institution of higher learning dedicated to the provision of career-focused education in a variety of disciplines. They offer hands-on experience and entrepreneurial development, to meet the higher and middle-level manpower needs of Ghana.

The University started as Sunyani Technical Institute (SUTECH) in 1967 to offer technical and vocational education and training to Middle School Leavers, and later on, to Junior Secondary School graduates in hands-on Craft/Intermediate Block-Laying and Concreting, Carpentry and Joinery, Furniture Craft as well as Painting and Decoration programs.

As one of the best pharmacy schools in Ghana, they aspire to become a world-class technical university dedicated to the provision of career-focused, practically-oriented, and entrepreneurially-inclined training.

This is for the socio-economic growth of Ghana and the contribution to global sustainable development.

View the Pharmaceutical Sciences Programme.

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Royal Ann College Of Health(RACOH)

Royal Ann College of Health (RACOH), formerly Royal Ann Health Academy (RAHA) was established on 6th September 2010 with only one program, Healthcare Assistant (HA), which is currently phased out.  

Among a variety of programs, they offer programs in Dispensing Technology (HND & Diploma).

The school aims to Provide adequate solution systems for patient care and enhance pharmacy technicians to reach new patients with unknown ailments.

These programs are designed to meet the demands of industry and hospital by enabling the graduates to handle minor repairs as well as carry out basic quality control procedures in the hospital and industry.  

Graduates will be endowed with the necessary skills needed to assist in the manufacturing of drugs and pharmaceutical products, bringing real-time medication dispensing and pharmacy counseling directly to the point of care.

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FAQs

How Many Years Does It Take To Study Pharmacy In Ghana?

School of Pharmacy in Ghana institutions runs four (4) year standard programs, leading to the award of Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm). The Doctor of Pharmacy is a straight six-year program.

How Much Does It Cost To Study Pharmacy In Ghana?

This varies according to the institution and degree type. The school fees for undergraduate international pharmacy students in Ghana range from $3,0000 to above $6000.3 Dis 2021

How Much Is A Pharmacist Paid In Ghana?

A person working as a Pharmacist in Ghana typically earns around 6,060 GHS per month. Salaries range from 2,850 GHS (lowest) to 9,580 GHS (highest).

This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Pharmacists’ salaries vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location.

How Do I Apply For Pharmacy At UCC?

Applicants should visit www.ucc.edu.gh then go to Admissions and click on Apply Now for further instructions. Alternatively, applicants should visit www.apply.ucc.edu.gh and proceed with the application.

Is Pharmacy Easier Than Medicine?

Pharmacy is much harder than medicine, conceptually. If you are not fully committed, you will fail.

Is Pharmacy Hard To Study?

Pharmacy is one of the toughest medically inclined subjects because it covers almost every part of science. Starting from Chemistry.

A pharmacy student needs to study Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, and Pharmaceutical Analysis. A Pharmacy student studies Human Anatomy and Physiology, Pharmacology.

Can I Do Pharmacy Without Biology?

Yes, you can do B. Pharmacy without biology. For admission to the pharmacy courses, a student must have passed class 12th with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics/Biology with a minimum of 50% marks in the qualifying examination.22 Nov 2020

Do Pharmacists Do Chemistry?

Yes, chemistry is a vital area in pharmaceutical studies. This is because the whole course revolves around chemicals.

Pharmacists use their background in chemistry to safely store drugs in a way that preserves their effectiveness. 

What Are The Requirements For Opening A Pharmacy In Ghana?

Steps to starting up a drug store in Ghana:

  • Get a desirable location.

  • Apply to the pharmacy council for a license.

  • Prepare for the first assessment by the Ghana Pharmacy council.

  • Examination/interview after passing the first inspection.

  • Second assessment by the pharmacy council.

  • Get an issue of license to operate.

Conclusion 

Are you interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy schools in Ghana? Looking for the best Ghanaian pharmacy schools? This article is for you.

Licensed pharmacy schools in Ghana make it possible for students from all over the world to earn a pharmacy degree.

It is a very great decision to pursue a pharmacy degree in Ghana because the facilities, teachers, and employment odds are magnificent. The country’s pharmaceutical schools are likewise among the best in the world.

Explore this article and pick a firm of the listed top pharmacy schools in Ghana and take that career step now.

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