Introduction

Dispensing Technician (DT) Certificate was established in 1975 in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Pharmacy (KNUST), the then Pharmacy Board (now Pharmacy Council) and the British Council. The aim of the programme was to produce graduates with technical skills and practical knowledge to assist pharmacists in the dispensaries.

With the upgrading of the Polytechnics in 1992 by PNDC Law 321, the HND programme was introduced to enhance the capacity of graduates from the Department in terms of performance.

The HND Dispensing Technology programme was a build-up on the Dispensing Technician Certificate course to meet the demands of pharmaceutical industry by enabling graduates to also handle minor repair works on the equipment and machines they handle as well as carry out basic Quality Control procedures in the hospital and the industry.

Graduates from the Department are employed by the Ministry of Health as Pharmacy Technicians and regulated by the Pharmacy Council by the same name.

Aims and Objectives

Aim
The aim of the HND Dispensing Technology Programme is to train students to acquire practical and theoretical knowledge in the art of dispensing and preparation of medicines.

Objectives

The objectives of the Programme are to train students to be able to:
1.    Assist in the provision of pharmaceutical care in the community and hospital pharmacies under the supervision of the pharmacist;
2.    Assist in the manufacturing units of hospitals and pharmaceutical industries;
3.    Carry out basic quality assurance operations/services in the hospitals and the pharmaceutical industries;
4.    Manage and carry out basic equipment maintenance in the hospital pharmacies and pharmaceutical industries,
5.    Teach students the professional and ethical principles in the pharmaceutical sector,
6.    Provide avenue for further education in the pharmaceutical and related fields.
 

Entry Requirements

1. SSSCE Applicants: Passes (A – D) in six (6) subjects comprising three core subjects, English Language, Integrated Science and Mathematics, plus three (3) elective passes including Chemistry and Biology.
2. WASSCE Applicants: Credit passes (A1-C6) in six subjects comprising three core subjects, English Language, Integrated Science and Mathematics, plus three (3) credit passes in Chemistry, Biology and Physics/ Mathematics.
3. GCE “O” and “A” Level
4. Mature Applicants Mature applicants must not be less than 25 years old at the time of the application, and must have relevant hospital/industrial or community pharmacy experience with ‘O’ Level or SSSCE/WASSCE pure science background as well as credit passes in English and Mathematics. The applicant must pass a written examination and an interview organised by the Polytechnic and the Department respectively.
5. Foreign Students Foreign students with the equivalent of the above qualifications will be referred to the National Accreditation Board to determine their eligibility and placement.
6. Dispensing Technician Part III Certificate
   1. Must have obtained a minimum of an overall credit in Dispensing Technician Part III examination, with at least a credit in Chemistry;
   2. Applicants without credit passes in D (i) above must have passed an examination for a six-week course organized by the Dispensing Technology Department. Applicants in category D will join in the Third Year (HND III)
7. Mature Applicants Must be 25 years old with legitimate documentary proof which is at least five (5) years old at the time of application, must pass Mature Students’ Entrance Examinations conducted by KsTU, may have to attend and pass an interview. Evidence of working experience will be an added advantage.
8. Foreign Applicants: Academic records of foreign applicants will be referred to GTEC for the determination of qualification equivalence and eligibility for admission as well as placem

Employment Prospects of Graduates
Upon completion of the H.N.D programme the Technicians will be working (in collaboration with or under the supervision of:

a.    A    registered    Pharmacist    in    a    hospital,    community   Pharmacies    or    in    the pharmaceutical industry,
b.    Qualified Chemist or Biochemist in any quality control laboratory as well as regulatory agencies like Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Standards Authority
c.    National Health Insurance Authority as Claim Officers
 

LIST OF COURSES FOR THE PROGRAMME (SEMESTER BY SEMESTER)

LEVEL 100-SEMESTER ONE

LEVEL 100-SEMESTER TWO

LEVEL 200-SEMESTER ONE

LEVEL 200-SEMESTER TWO

LEVEL 300-SEMESTER ONE

LEVEL 300-SEMESTER TWO