Health Sciences

Diploma in Pharmacy

The Diploma in Pharmacy, also known as Diploma in Pharmaceutical Technology, is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in pharmaceutical sciences, drug dispensing, compounding and patient care. Offered at Egerton University, Kisii University, Kabarak University, Mount Kenya University and Outspan Global University, the programme prepares students for registration as pharmaceutical technologists with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Kenya.

The curriculum covers pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, clinical pharmacy, dispensing practice, pharmaceutical calculations, drug store management, pharmacotherapy, pharmaceutical microbiology, pharmaceutical analysis, research methods and industrial attachment. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical pharmacy skills.

Kenya's healthcare system requires trained pharmaceutical personnel to support medicine dispensing, drug safety and patient counselling in pharmacies, hospitals and healthcare facilities. The programme responds to the need for qualified pharmaceutical technologists who can ensure safe and effective medicine use across the country.

The programme is delivered through lectures, laboratory practicals, dispensing practice sessions, hospital attachments, research projects, group discussions and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in pharmacy practice through supervised attachments in hospitals, community pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies.

Graduates pursue careers as pharmaceutical technologists in community pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, regulatory bodies and healthcare facilities. They are registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Kenya and can progress to a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree programme.

Prospective students should have interest in chemistry, biology and healthcare. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers as pharmaceutical technologists in Kenya's healthcare and pharmaceutical sector.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 120,700
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy
Clinical Pharmacy and Dispensing Practice
Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutical Microbiology
Pharmaceutical Analysis and Calculations
Drug Store Management and Pharmacy Law
Research Methods and Pharmacy Practice Project
Industrial Attachment and Hospital Pharmacy Practice

Modules

8 in the programme

Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers pharmaceutics, dosage form design, pharmaceutical chemistry, physical pharmacy, drug formulation, compounding and pharmaceutical calculations.
Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers pharmacology fundamentals, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, autonomic pharmacology, pharmacognosy, natural products and medicinal plant analysis.
Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers pharmaceutical microbiology, sterilisation, pharmaceutical analysis, quality control, drug assay techniques and pharmacopoeial standards.
Dispensing Practice and Pharmacy Law
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers dispensing practice, prescription interpretation, labelling, patient counselling, pharmacy law, Pharmacy and Poisons Board regulations and professional ethics.
Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacotherapy
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers clinical pharmacy, pharmacotherapy of major diseases, drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, patient monitoring and evidence-based medicine.
Drug Store Management and Pharmaceutical Calculations
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers drug store management, inventory control, procurement, pharmaceutical supply chain, stock rotation, pharmaceutical calculations and business management.
Research Methods and Pharmacy Practice Project
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research methods, literature review, data collection and a pharmacy practice project assessed through a report and presentation.
Industrial Attachment and Hospital Pharmacy Practice
Year 3Semester 112 creditsCore
A supervised industrial attachment in a hospital pharmacy, community pharmacy or pharmaceutical company, assessed through an attachment report, logbook and supervisor evaluation.

Specialisations

Clinical Pharmacy
Focuses on patient care and pharmacotherapy for careers as hospital pharmacy technicians.
Community Pharmacy
Specialises in community pharmacy practice and dispensing for careers in retail pharmacies.
Pharmaceutical Quality Control
Focuses on drug quality testing and analysis for careers in pharmaceutical manufacturing quality control.
Pharmaceutical Sales
Specialises in pharmaceutical product knowledge and sales for careers as pharmaceutical sales representatives.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on pharmacology or pharmaceutics, followed by a laboratory practical on pharmaceutical compounding or drug analysis. Afternoon sessions may include dispensing practice, case discussions on pharmacotherapy, or preparation for hospital attachment. Students also work on pharmacy practice projects and research assignments.

The trade offs

In its favour

Pharmacy is a high-demand profession with good employment prospects in Kenya's healthcare sector.
Graduates are registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board and can practise professionally.
Diploma graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Pharmacy through bridging programmes.

Against it

The programme requires strong science subjects and dedication to laboratory and clinical training.
Pharmaceutical technologists have a narrower scope of practice compared to fully qualified pharmacists.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public67k to 121k

67k at Kisumu National Polytechnic121k at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Year 1

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KMTC 120,700 Y1/118,000 Y2+ (tvet.co.ke), Kisumu NP 67,189/yr. Private: unverified.

Students can access HELB loans. The government may offer sponsorships for pharmacy students through KUCCPS. Pharmaceutical companies may offer bursaries for pharmacy students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C
Alternative entry: Certificate in pharmaceutical technology from a recognised institution, or equivalent qualification recognised by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.

English or Kiswahili
C
Chemistry
C
Biology
C
Mathematics or Physics
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering pharmaceutics, pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry and dispensing practice.
Laboratory Practical Assessment
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of practical skills in pharmaceutical compounding, drug analysis and microbiology through practical examinations.
Pharmacy Practice Project
Project30% of the mark
A pharmacy practice project on a clinical or pharmaceutical topic, assessed through a written report and oral presentation.
PPB Licensing Examination
Written examination100% of the mark
Final licensing examination administered by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board for registration as a pharmaceutical technologist.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) and the Commission for University Education (CUE). Graduates are registered as pharmaceutical technologists.

Accredited by

Pharmacy and Poisons Board
ProfessionalRequired
Accredited by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) and the Commission for University Education (CUE). Graduates are registered as pharmaceutical technologists.
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) as a university-level diploma programme.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Pharmaceutical Technologist
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 200,000
Dispenses medicines, provides patient counselling, manages pharmacy inventory and ensures drug safety in community and hospital pharmacies.
Hospital Pharmacy Technician
High demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 180,000
Supports hospital pharmacy operations, manages drug supplies, prepares prescriptions and assists pharmacists in clinical pharmacy services.
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 220,000
Promotes pharmaceutical products to healthcare providers, provides product information and supports sales of pharmaceutical companies.
Drug Quality Control Technician
Moderate demandKsh 42,000 to Ksh 190,000
Conducts quality control tests on pharmaceutical products, monitors drug standards and supports compliance with pharmacopoeial requirements in pharmaceutical companies.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as pharmaceutical technologists in community pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies and regulatory bodies, registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A diploma in pharmacy is the same as a degree in pharmacy.
A diploma produces pharmaceutical technologists who dispense medicines, while a degree produces pharmacists with broader clinical and research responsibilities. Diploma graduates can upgrade to a degree through bridging programmes.
Pharmacy is only about selling medicines.
Pharmacy encompasses drug development, compounding, patient counselling, pharmacovigilance, drug therapy management and regulatory compliance, alongside dispensing.
There are no jobs for pharmacy diploma graduates.
Kenya has demand for pharmaceutical technologists in community pharmacies, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and regulatory bodies, with opportunities in both public and private sectors.
Pharmacy diploma graduates cannot work in hospitals.
Pharmaceutical technologists work in hospital pharmacies, supporting pharmacists in drug dispensing, inventory management and patient counselling.