Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), pharmaceutical technicians’ training in Nigeria would no longer be offered.
The purpose of the MoU is to resolve long-standing issues with pharmaceutical technologists’ training in Nigeria’s polytechnics and other educational establishments.
The signing ceremony, which took place on Wednesday at the Federal Ministry of Education offices, is an attempt to work together to address important problems in the field of pharmaceutical education.
The Federal Ministry of Education’s permanent secretary and other important directors were present at the meeting, which was presided over by Minister of State for Education Tanko Sununu.
Both parties agreed, as stipulated in the MoU, to accredit and train only holders of National Diplomas as pharmacy technicians.
The Registrar/CEO of PCN and the Executive Secretary of NBTE has expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Education for its crucial role in enabling this breakthrough, which represents a turning point in the resolution of a 22-year-old issue.
It is essential to understand the differences between pharmaceutical technologists and pharmacy technicians.
In reputable universities and health institutes, pharmacy technicians complete a three-year program approved by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).
After finishing, applicants take the National Pre-Certification Examination (NPCE), and the PCN issues a permission license to those who pass.
However, training in pharmaceutical technology is not governed by the PCN and is instead provided as a two-year curriculum at establishments that are not affiliated with health schools or colleges.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the PCN and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) marks a dramatic change in direction as the PCN will only support the training of Pharmacy Technicians as the accredited diploma program, and will no longer support the training of National Diploma (ND) holders in Pharmaceutical Technology.
