A Pharmacist is a person who is professionally qualified to prepare and dispense medicinal drugs.
Steps to becoming a pharmacist in Ghana
In general, to become a licensed pharmacist in Ghana, you need:
A bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from an accredited Ghanaian University
Pass the licensing examination conducted by the Pharmacy Council of Ghana
Complete the mandatory pharmacy internship training program.
Whether you’re a Senior High School leaver or a mature-age student looking for a career change, below we have outlined the main steps to becoming a registered pharmacist in Ghana.
- Complete a university degree in Doctor of Pharmacy
Straight from Senior High School
You can apply to study pharmacy as an undergraduate student after successfully completing your senior high school education in Ghana.
The basic elective subjects required to get admission into any pharmacy in Ghana are biology, chemistry, and physics/mathematics.
Schools offering Doctor of Pharmacy in Ghana
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) – Kumasi
University of Development Studies (UDS) – Tamale
University of Ghana – Legon, Accra
University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) – Ho
Central University – Miotso
Entrance University College of Health – Spintex Road, Accra.
The Doctor of Pharmacy program is also known as Pharm D takes a period of six years to complete. Matured applicants can apply to the University of Ghana Pharm D top-up programme.
- Complete a 12-month mandatory internship program
After successfully bagging a degree in pharmacy, it is required of you to enroll in the 1-year internship program organized by the Pharmacy Council of Ghana.
Working under the supervision of a registered pharmacist, as an intern, you will build on the practical experience gained in your degree to ensure you have the skills required for all areas of pharmacy practice, including:
preparing and dispensing medications and ointments
providing advice on prescription medications, ‘over-the-counter’ products, and complementary medicines (including selection, dosage, interactions, side-effects, and therapeutic effects)
liaising with patients, their doctors, and family to determine medication history and correct dosages
checking for errors and conducting medication reviews
promoting health awareness
understanding legally recognized standards and government regulations for the supply of medicine.
- Sit the pharmacy licensing exams
Only once you complete this internship and training program will you be able to sit the Ghana Pharmacy Professional Qualification Exam. Prospective pharmacists require this certification to fully operate in Ghana. You can work in a variety of clinical settings and specialties, including hospital and community pharmacies, consultancy, government, and industrial positions.
Things to note
Overseas practitioners are required to sit this examination to fully practice in the country.
You need to be a pharmacist or get a supervising pharmacist in order to establish a Pharmacy in Ghana.
What is the role of a pharmacist?
Pharmacists are responsible for:
ensuring that the supply of medicines is within the law.
ensuring that the medicines prescribed to patients are suitable. advising patients about medicines, including how to take them, what reactions may occur, and answering patients’ questions.
How many years does it take to become a pharmacist in Ghana?
The School of Pharmacy in Ghana institutions runs a four (4) year standard programme, leading to the award of Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm).
The Doctor of Pharmacy is a straight six-year programme.