The Kaduna State University and the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria, PCN have inducted the third set of sixteen Pharmacists from the faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
The PCN Registrar, Mr Elijah Mohammed during the induction and oath-taking ceremony in Kaduna congratulated the 16 graduands for completing phase one of their training.
“You have completed the first set of your training as professionals and now fit to compete favourably with other colleagues in all areas of practice for services to humanity and also to God.“
He said the second phase of the training will commence with the one-year statutory internship training programme that is compulsory for all pharmacists in the country, including those trained abroad without evidence of licensure in their countries of practice.
Mr Mohammed explained that the internship training programme must be undertaken in only pharmacist council accredited internship training institutions.
“I hereby enjoin you all to take this one year very seriously as there may not be opportunities to make up for any time wasted,“
The Registrar disclosed that the PCN was aware of the challenges posed by the dynamics of the practice of the profession, technological advancement, increasing disease burden, adverse drug reactions, interactions and resistance.
He however said to address this, PCN has institutionalised continuing professional development programme to ensure the continued relevance of pharmacists in the health sector and government in general.
“It is worthy to note that pharmacist’s competency is not only about knowledge and skills, but include critical thinking and decision making, innovation, social interaction and inter-professional relationship.
“This is the third and life-long phase of pharmacy training, and as a life long learning process based on the eight-star concept of WHO, this indeed is the ticket to the school of life,“ he stressed.
Mohammed urged them to pass their Pre-registration Examination for Pharmacist, (PEP) after their internship to be eligible to practice in the Country.
He said as pharmacists are expected to get acquainted with the code of professional ethics which prescribes the professional and moral responsibilities to patients, colleagues, other professionals, employers and the general public.
The Registrar added that strict compliance to the code of ethics is indispensable for the practice of the pharmacy profession.
Also speaking, the Dean of the faculty, Dr Zulaihatu Abdullahi expressed delight over the graduands, adding that the profession is a noble one that guarantees opportunities for new graduates to have a great prospect of practising in different fields such as industries, communities, hospitals, administration, research and the academia.
She said the graduands have options to select and in doing the work, they shouldn’t undermine the activities of colleagues.
Dr Abdullahi thanked the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Muhammad Tanko for the support to the faculty and also for ensuring a successful graduation ceremony.
On his part, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Tanko said Pharmacist today remain legally responsible for the safe and accurate dispensing of medication most especially ethical medicines and additional responsibility as an integral member of the health care team to educate, monitor and care for patients.
He assured that the University will continue to provide the needed learning environment and facilities to ensure quality learning outcomes and also produce the needed manpower socio-economic development
PIAK
