By Ifeoluwa D. Afolayan
The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) commenced a major step in its digital transformation agenda with the conduct of the National Pre-Certification Examination (NPCE) for Pharmacy Technicians as a Computer-Based Test (CBT). The two-day qualifying examination held from 10-11 September, with centres in virtually all the states of the Federation.
This landmark move on the NPCE follows the successful digitisation of the Pre-registration Examination for Pharmacists (PEP), which has been running for over five years. The PCN’s ongoing shift to digital platforms is aimed at enhancing the security, efficiency, and integrity of its examination processes.
The successful candidates of the NPCE will be a vital addition to the nation’s healthcare workforce, a key objective of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. This initiative seeks to improve healthcare access and build a more robust, skilled health force, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector.
The PCN has continually maintained that the Pharmacy Technician cadre is the only recognised sub-cadre within the pharmacy profession, as outlined in the Scheme of Service of the Federal Government. This was reaffirmed by the Federal Ministry of Education in a recent pronouncement that the National Diploma (ND) in Pharmacy Technician should be the only sub-cadre in Pharmacy, effectively ending new admissions into the HND Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Technology programme at any institution in Nigeria.
Parents and aspiring students are urged to confirm the accreditation status of any institution offering pharmaceutical programs to ensure their training meets regulatory standards and guarantees a clear path to professional practice.
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