Programmes

Undergraduate  |  Postgraduate  |  For the Public

Undergraduate Studies

Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy (B.Sc. Pharmacy)

The programme of study in pharmacy leads to the B.Sc. Pharmacy, and extends over four years. Graduates then undertake a six -month internship, as stipulated by the Pharmacy Board of Trinidad & Tobago, which is the regulatory body and licensing authority.

Entrance Requirements

Applicants must possess two A’ Level subjects (or equivalent), including Chemistry, and a choice from Biology, Zoology, Physics or Mathematics. The applicant must also have a pass in Physics at the O’ Level, or its equivalent. Registered pharmacists, holding a diploma or associate degree, are eligible to join the accelerated programme, as part-time students.

The Pharmacy Board is also involved in assessing the suitability of Trinidadian applicants for admission to the programme.

The curriculum consists of:

  • An integrated programme of basic medical sciences – anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, community health, microbiology, pathology, and immunology - using problem-based learning techniques.
  • Pharmaceutical sciences - pharmaceutics, biopharmaceutics, pharmaceutical chemistry, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics.
  • Pharmacy practice and clinical pharmacy – applied therapeutics with problem-based learning, complimentary/alternative medicine, non- prescription drugs, prescription dispensing, pharmacy law and ethics, drug information and literature evaluation, patient counselling skills, pharmacy practice clerkship, and pharmacy administration.
  • Biostatistics and research methodology, and communication skills.
  • Electives – Pharmacoeconomics, Community Pharmacy Practice Management, Institutional Pharmacy Practice Management, Clinical Toxicology, and Research Project.

Assessment

All courses are assessed by continuous assessment methods, including written examinations, seminars on selected topics, case presentations, and a final written examination and OSCE. The continuous assessment carries 40% of the total marks, and the final exam - 60%. In integrated basic sciences, performance in the problem-based learning sessions also contributes to the total marks.

Oral examinations are also utilized, and contribute 10% of total marks. External examiners from the UK, USA and Canada conduct the oral examination, and review the exams.

Upcoming Postgraduate Studies

The pharmacy programme has existed within the Faculty since 1995, and was administered by the Department of Paraclinical Sciences. After considerable service and experience, the programme was recently upgraded to an independent school of pharmacy. Although no graduate programmes are currently on offer, the school is currently in the process of developing M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and other postgraduate programmes. In addition, staff are involved in the supervision of students enrolled in M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes in Pharmacology in the following research areas.

Pharmaceutics

  • Formulation and evaluation of sustained and controlled release medications (microspheres, magnetic microspheres, liposomes, niosomes) biodegradable polymers for sustained /controlled release formulations.
  • Pharmacokinetic studies.
  • Therapeutic drug level monitoring and clinical pharmacokinetics.

Medicinal Chemistry

  • Synthetic and pharmacological studies on a natural cyclopolypeptides from plant roots and to study the effect ofN-methylation on bioactivity
  • Synthesis, structural and pharmacological aspects of oligopeptides from Caribbean marine sponge and to study the effect of conformation change on bioactivity
  • Total synthesis, characterization and biological screening of peptides from Chinese medicinal plants and to study the effect of proline substitution on pharmacological activity

Pharmacy Practice

  • Drug utilization reviews.
  • Epidemiological studies.
    Pharmacoeconomics.
  • Pharmacy administration.
  • Complimentary/alternative medicine.

Programmes for the Public

Although there are currently no specific courses available to the public, the School of Pharmacy staff and students are continuously engaged in outreach programmes at TV/Radio, Regional Health Authorities (RHAs), Secondary/Primary schools where public/students are provided with knowledge regarding precautions/testing methods/alternative herbal treatment options for diverse diseases including cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes, AIDS, malaria, harmful effects of tobacco etc. The school also organizes health camps during these outreach activities on special days recognized by WHO and other professional bodies.