Overview
The Master of pharmacy degree course in Pharmaceutical Analysis is intended to train highly qualified analysts involved in both quality assurance and quality control of pharmaceuticals and related substances. On completion of the course, the students will be expensed to be competent in modern analytical techniques, monitoring of pharmaceutical and related manufacturing processes and the setting up and running of a quality control laboratory. The analyst will obtain sound scientific foundation to qualify them for academic appointments and carry out original research.
- The programme is offered on full-time basis extending over two academic years. In the first year, the students will study Pharmaceutical Analysis by Course work and Examination. The second year will be devoted to research in a specified area and writing up of a Master’s thesis.
- Candidates will be required to give and attend seminars, as prescribed throughout the coursework period for all the courses.
Rationale of the programme
The Kenya’s pharmaceutical manufacturing industry has experienced rapid growth in the recent past. More than 30 manufacturing industries are currently involved in the production of medicines and other health products for both the domestic and export markets. In addition, the country imports a significant proportion of the medicines used within the country, majority of which are generics. Consequently, quality assurance and quality control are essential to guarantee quality of the medicines at the various stages of production and distribution. Quality assurance in the pharmaceutical industry requires hands-on specialists who are skilled in all aspects of pharmaceutical analysis as well as effective regulatory control. Currently, there are only few specialists in the field of pharmaceutical analysis with postgraduate training to meet the market demand in Kenya.
Philosophy of the programme
The Kenya Vision 2030 blueprint specifies quality health service delivery to the highest standards as a key component of the social pillars while the Constitution of Kenya 2010 provides for the right to healthcare. Quality medicines are critical in the provision of the desired standard of health care services. Hence, there is a fundamental need to constantly monitor the medicines in clinical use to safeguard against sub-standard and counterfeit medicines. Pharmaceutical analysts are therefore required to participate in the different stages of production and distribution of drugs including manufacturing premises, equipment, raw materials, intermediate products, finished products, product release, review for marketing authorization, and post-market surveillance.
Objectives of the programme
The Master of Pharmacy in Pharmaceutical Analysis programme aims to provide requisite knowledge, skills and competences that will transform the learner into a high calibre specialist who shall be involved in quality assurance, quality control and regulatory affairs of pharmaceuticals and related products.
Mode of delivery
The programme shall be conducted through face-to-face lectures, seminars, tutorials, assignments, term papers, exercises, presentations, laboratory practicums, and self-directed learning.
Attachment opportunities
The programme has an industrial placement component. Over a period of four months, the learner will be attached to an established pharmaceutical manufacturing industry or quality control laboratory for experiential learning and mastery of laboratory skills in real-time pharmaceutical analysis. Learning activities will involve active participation in pharmaceutical analyses, drug quality control processes, laboratory management and pharmaceutical regulatory affairs.
Structure
a) The course is a full-time program extending over two years. In the first year the students will study Pharmaceutical Analysis by Course work and Examination. The second year will be devoted to research in a specified area and writing up of a Master’s thesis.
b) Candidates will be required to give and attend seminars, as prescribed throughout the coursework period for all the courses.
- The programme is offered on full-time basis extending over two academic years. In the first year, the students will study Pharmaceutical Analysis by Course work and Examination. The second year will be devoted to research in a specified area and writing up of a Master’s thesis.
- Candidates will be required to give and attend seminars, as prescribed throughout the coursework period for all the courses.
Admission Requirements
The candidates eligible for admission into the program shall fulfill the following criteria:
- Be in possession of a bachelor of pharmacy degree from the University of Nairobi or any other institution recognized by the University of Nairobi’s Senate and for this purpose the degree should be registerable by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Kenya.
- Shall have completed one year of internship in an institution recognized by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
Careers
On qualification, the Master of Pharmacy in Pharmaceutical Analysis graduates will be involved in both quality assurance and quality control of pharmaceuticals and related substances, both in the public and private practice arenas. They will be competent in modern analytical techniques used in the monitoring of pharmaceuticals and related manufacturing processes. They will also be knowledgeable in the setting up and running of a quality control laboratory. Further, the programme equips the learners will sound scientific foundation to carry out original research and are qualified for academic appointments.
Fees and Funding
| Year 1 | Year 2 | TOTALS | |
| TUITION | 348,000.00 | 348,000.00 | 696,000.00 |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500.00 | 6,500.00 | 13,000.00 |
| CAUTION - (ONCE) | 5,000.00 | - | 5,000.00 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000.00 | 7,000.00 | 14,000.00 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 10,000.00 | - | 10,000.00 |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | 4,000.00 |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | 10,000.00 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 2,000.00 |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 4,500.00 | 4,500.00 | 9,000.00 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 2,000.00 |
| THESIS EXAMINATION | - | 30,000.00 | 30,000.00 |
| Grand totals | 390,000.00 | 405,000.00 | 795,000.00 |
Exam Regulations
EXAMINATION REGULATIONS
The examination shall consist of two parts:-
Part I (First Year) Examination
(a) Candidates enrolled for the degree shall be required to take part I examinations and pass a total of (8) courses at the end of the first year before being allowed to proceed to the second year of study.
(b) The examination papers will each comprise of a 1x3 hour written examination and 1x0.5 hour oral per course.
(c) The pass mark in each paper will be 50%.
(d) Final written examination will constitute 70% of the total mark in each paper.
(e) Coursework assessment shall consist of term papers, seminar paper, practical exercises and other tests as may be given in each course and shall constitute 30% of the total mark in each paper.
(f) A candidate who fails in two papers with a mark between 40-49% may, on the recommendation of Board of Examiners and approval by Senate be allowed to sit a supplementary examination in the failed papers within 3 months.
(g) A candidate who fails in more than three papers or in any one paper with a mark of less than 40% or in a supplementary examination shall be discontinued.
Part II - Examinations
The completed thesis will be examined according to the common regulations governing Masters degree examinations.
