Becoming a Pharmacist in Ghana is no walk in the park. It demands considerable patience and intelligence, as you’ll be handling medications and caring for people’s health.
If you’re contemplating a career as a Pharmacist and seeking guidance on the process, the necessary qualifications, and the time commitment involved, consider your motivation. Do you have a genuine passion for Pharmacy? Are you prepared for the 6 to 8 years of education it entails?
Who Is A Pharmacist?
A pharmacist is a skilled healthcare professional specializing in pharmacy. They play a crucial role in delivering medications to patients, handling the dispensing of prescription drugs.table basse belvedere soigner tennis elbow naturellement cravatta fai da te amazon orologio chiusura a scatto porta fonendoscopio littmann crema per occhiaie nere amazon tuyau tireuse sedia viso puma suede pink satin north face zenith herren herren adidas derby vulc herren sneaker weiss blau rot maglione natale amazon dreirad toys amazon short eau teppich auslegware günstig online kaufen amazon
With extensive knowledge of medications, pharmacists offer guidance to the public, providing advice on over-the-counter remedies for minor ailments like a cold.
In addition to general pharmacy, there are specialized pharmacists, including those in veterinary, oncology, clinical, nuclear, consultant, and industrial fields. Some pharmacists are involved in research within the pharmaceutical industry, exploring new drugs and addressing health and nutrition issues.
What Does A Pharmacist Do?
Pharmacists play a vital role in healthcare by:
- Ensuring the quality of medicines provided to patients.
- Confirming that the supply of medicines complies with the law.
- Verifying that prescribed medicines are suitable for patients.
- Advising patients on medications, including how to take them and addressing their questions.
They also:
- Oversee the medicine supply chain and ensure pharmacy facilities and systems meet standards.
- Advise other healthcare professionals on safe and effective medicine use and secure supply.
- Address patients’ symptoms and recommend over-the-counter medicines.
- Provide additional services like smoking cessation, blood pressure measurement, and cholesterol management.
- Supervise the production and preparation of medicines, ensuring their quality before reaching patients from pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Where Can I Work As A Pharmacist?
Pharmacists contribute their expertise in diverse workplace settings, such as:
- Public Hospitals
- Academia
- Cancer Care Centers
- Retail Pharmacies
- Public Health Agencies
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- Private Practice
- Sport and Fitness Gyms
- Surgery Clinics
How To Become A Pharmacist In Ghana
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to pursue a career as a pharmacist in Ghana:
1. Earn a B. Pharm Degree:
To become a pharmacist in Ghana, the first step is to acquire a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from an accredited institution, either in Ghana or abroad. In Ghana, this typically involves a four-year duration to obtain a B.Pharm degree. Alternatively, a D.Pharm degree can be pursued, which takes six years to complete.
2. Complete An Internship
To attain registration as a pharmacist in Ghana, it is obligatory to successfully finish a one-year internship program at a recognized institution. This program encompasses two distinct phases: the clinical phase and the community phase.
Both local and international pharmacy graduates are required to undergo both phases of the internship, which are outlined as follows:
1. Clinical Phase:
- Duration: 9 months
- Training Hours: 1500 hours
- Setting: Conducted in an accredited internship site
- Supervision: Under the guidance of an accredited internship preceptor
2. Community Phase:
- Duration: 3 months
- Training Hours: 480 hours
- Setting: Conducted in an accredited community pharmacy
- Supervision: Under the guidance of an accredited internship preceptor
3. Pass The Ghana Pharmacy Professional Qualification Exam
To practice as a pharmacist in Ghana, successfully passing the Ghana Pharmacy Professional Qualification Exam (GPPQE) is a prerequisite. The exam is conducted twice a year, in July and November.
The GPPQE is comprised of three parts (I, II, and III), and to qualify, a candidate must achieve a minimum of 60% of the total marks. Additionally, candidates need to score at least 40% in each section as well as the oral examination.
For the examination fees:
- Ghanaian fresh graduates are required to pay a set fee of GH₵350.00.
- Foreign applicants who are fresh graduates pay GH₵3,200.00.
- Foreign-based practicing pharmacists applying to take the GPPQE in Ghana are charged a fee of GH₵4,000.00.
Universities Offering Pharmacy In Ghana
Below is the list of instituion offering a degree in pharmacy in Ghana.
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
- University of Ghana
- Central University
- University of Development Studies
- University of Health and Allied Sciences
- Entrance University College of Health
Requirements To Study Pharmacy In Ghana
To be eligible for admission to study pharmacy in a Ghanaian university, you must meet certain requirements. The criteria vary for WASSCE/SSSCE applicants and A’ Level applicants.
For WASSCE/SSSCE Applicants:
- Three (3) credit passes in Core Subjects: English, Mathematics, and Integrated Science.
- Three (3) credit passes in Elective Subjects: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or Mathematics.
For A’ Level Applicants:
- Five (5) credits at the O’ Level, which must include English Language and Mathematics.
- Three (3) passes at the A’ Level in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or Mathematics.
- A pass in General Paper is also required for A’ Level applicants.
Conclusion
The pharmaceutical industry is booming, and it’s an opportunity worth exploring. While studying science doesn’t always lead to becoming a medical doctor, taking a Pharmacy course at the university can open doors. Earn your degree, enter the workforce, and enjoy regular pay—employment is often abundant in this thriving industry.
If you’re concerned about the difficulty or cost of a full Pharmacy degree, consider a six-month Medicine Counter Assistantship course. This more affordable option equips you with valuable skills for effective work in a Pharmacy. Medicine Counter Assistant jobs offer flexibility with shifts, allowing you to pursue additional opportunities on the side.
For further details on these programs, reach out to the mentioned institutions to understand the requirements and admission process. Share this article with anyone considering a future in pharmacy.
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