By Ifeoluwa D. Afolayan
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has conducted advisory visits to the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City, and Achievers University, Owo, both in Ondo State, between 13 to 17 October, 2024. These visits were part of PCN’s strategic objective to ensure that all training institutions, that is, faculties of pharmacy as well as colleges/schools of health technologies for the training of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians comply with minimum standards, aimed at improving pharmacy education and training in Nigeria.
The primary aim of these visits was to guide both universities in their preparations for the establishment of a faculty of pharmacy to offer the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree programme. These visits, which were initiated at the invitation of the universities, marked an important step towards the eventual accreditation of the PharmD programme by PCN.
The advisory team was led by Professor Ogbonna Okorie from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, with the Registrar of PCN, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed and other key staff also in attendance. The team visited the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City, from October 13 to 15, 2024, and Achievers University, Owo, from October 15 to 17, 2024.
During the visit to the University of Medical Sciences, the PCN team paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, who explained that the university had begun working toward establishing the PharmD programme since September 2021. The faculty, named the Olu Akinkugbe Faculty of Pharmacy, is the result of a collaboration between the Olu Akinkugbe Pharmacy Education Trust (OAPEP), the Ondo State Government, and other stakeholders.
Professor Okorie praised the university’s efforts to establish the PharmD programme and noted that the Faculty Handbook indicated a strong commitment to meeting the PCN’s guidelines for accreditation. The team examined the pharmacy programme, personnel, equipment, and facilities to ensure they meet the required standards. A courtesy visit was also made to the Chief Medical Director of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Dr Michael Olumide Gbala, where the Pharmacy students are expected to do their internship and clinical rotation in their clinical years in the university.
The team also visited the Tolu Odugbemi Centre for Herbal Medicine and Drug Discovery, a well-developed medicinal plant garden in Okeigbo, which will serve as a learning resource for pharmacy students.
At Achievers University, the team met with the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Omolola Oladunni Irinoye, and the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University Council, Hon. (Dr) Bode Ayorinde. The Pro-Chancellor shared the university’s vision for launching the PharmD programme and the steps taken so far in preparation for its commencement. He highlighted the community’s support for the institution and their commitment to establishing a world-class pharmacy programme.
The advisory team assessed the personnel, structure, and resources available at the university and provided feedback to the university management on areas requiring improvement ahead of the accreditation process.
Both universities had previously received approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC), the first requirement for establishing a faculty of pharmacy. The advisory visits by PCN are expected to set both universities on the right path toward full accreditation of their PharmD programmes in due course. This is a vital requirement for the training of pharmacy students, whose degrees must be recognised and registrable by the PCN.
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