Health Sciences

Master of Science (Medical Pharmacology and Therapeutics)

The Master of Science in Medical Pharmacology and Therapeutics is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in pharmacology, drug therapy, and therapeutic management. The programme combines pharmacological science with clinical therapeutics and drug safety application.

Core areas include medical pharmacology, clinical therapeutics, drug development, pharmacovigilance, toxicology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both pharmacological theory and practical therapeutic application through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by Masinde Muliro University. MMUST is a public university offering the programme over two academic years through full-time mode of study. The University of Nairobi offers related programmes in Pharmacology and Toxicology and Molecular Pharmacology.

Students develop competencies in medical pharmacology, clinical therapeutics, drug development, pharmacovigilance, toxicology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, examinations, and a research thesis.

MMUST charges approximately KES 150,750/year (total KES 301,500). Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division in pharmacy, biomedical sciences, biochemistry, medicine, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as pharmacologists, clinical pharmacology specialists, drug safety officers, pharmaceutical researchers, toxicology specialists, and lecturers in pharmacology and therapeutics across pharmaceutical industry, research institutions, hospitals, and universities.

Skills Required

Medical Pharmacology and Drug Action Mechanisms
Clinical Therapeutics and Drug Therapy Management
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
Drug Development and Clinical Trials
Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety Monitoring
Toxicology and Adverse Drug Reactions
Drug Interactions and Polypharmacy Management
Laboratory Methods in Pharmacology
Research Methods in Pharmacology
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Advanced Medical Pharmacology
Clinical Therapeutics and Drug Therapy
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
Drug Development and Clinical Trials
Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety
Toxicology and Adverse Drug Reactions
Molecular Pharmacology
Research Methods in Pharmacology
Laboratory Methods in Pharmacology
Thesis Research

Certifications

PPB Professional Registration
International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) Membership

Specializations

Clinical Pharmacology

Focuses on clinical pharmacology, covering drug therapy, clinical trials, therapeutic drug monitoring, and managing clinical pharmacology services.

Pharmacovigilance

Examines pharmacovigilance, covering adverse drug reactions, drug safety monitoring, post-marketing surveillance, and managing pharmacovigilance systems.

Toxicology

Covers toxicology, covering drug toxicity, poison management, environmental toxicology, and managing toxicology services.

Drug Development

Focuses on drug development, covering drug discovery, preclinical testing, clinical trials, drug registration, and managing drug development.

Molecular Pharmacology

Examines molecular pharmacology, covering drug-receptor interactions, signal transduction, molecular targets, and managing molecular pharmacology research.

Cardiovascular Pharmacology

Covers cardiovascular pharmacology, covering cardiovascular drugs, antihypertensives, cardiac therapy, and managing cardiovascular pharmacology research.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 187,200
Private, up to: Ksh 319,500
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Advanced Medical Pharmacology
Clinical Therapeutics and Drug Therapy
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
Drug Development and Clinical Trials
Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety
Toxicology and Adverse Drug Reactions
Molecular Pharmacology
Research Methods in Pharmacology
Laboratory Methods in Pharmacology
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Medical Pharmacology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines drug action mechanisms, drug-receptor interactions, pharmacodynamics, autonomic pharmacology, and managing pharmacological research.
Clinical Therapeutics and Drug Therapy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers drug therapy, therapeutic drug monitoring, treatment guidelines, evidence-based therapeutics, and managing clinical therapeutics.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, drug interactions, and managing pharmacokinetic analysis.
Research Methods in Pharmacology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, ethical issues, and conducting pharmacology research, preparing students for their thesis.
Drug Development and Clinical Trials
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers drug discovery, preclinical testing, clinical trials, drug registration, regulatory affairs, and managing drug development.
Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines adverse drug reactions, drug safety monitoring, post-marketing surveillance, risk assessment, and managing pharmacovigilance systems.
Toxicology and Adverse Drug Reactions
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers drug toxicity, poison management, environmental toxicology, toxicity testing, and managing toxicology services.
Molecular Pharmacology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines molecular targets, signal transduction, receptor pharmacology, gene therapy, and managing molecular pharmacology research.
Cardiovascular and Renal Pharmacology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers cardiovascular drugs, antihypertensives, cardiac therapy, renal pharmacology, and managing cardiovascular pharmacology.
Neuropharmacology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines neuropharmacology, psychotropic drugs, neurodegenerative disorders, analgesics, and managing neuropharmacology research.
Laboratory Methods in Pharmacology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers pharmacological techniques, drug analysis, animal experiments, tissue preparation, and managing laboratory techniques in pharmacology.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a pharmacology or therapeutics topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and pharmacology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Clinical Pharmacology
Focuses on clinical pharmacology, covering drug therapy, clinical trials, therapeutic drug monitoring, and managing clinical pharmacology services.
Pharmacovigilance
Examines pharmacovigilance, covering adverse drug reactions, drug safety monitoring, post-marketing surveillance, and managing pharmacovigilance systems.
Toxicology
Covers toxicology, covering drug toxicity, poison management, environmental toxicology, and managing toxicology services.
Drug Development
Focuses on drug development, covering drug discovery, preclinical testing, clinical trials, drug registration, and managing drug development.
Molecular Pharmacology
Examines molecular pharmacology, covering drug-receptor interactions, signal transduction, molecular targets, and managing molecular pharmacology research.
Cardiovascular Pharmacology
Covers cardiovascular pharmacology, covering cardiovascular drugs, antihypertensives, cardiac therapy, and managing cardiovascular pharmacology research.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Medical Pharmacology and Therapeutics programme combines lectures, laboratory practicals, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover medical pharmacology, clinical therapeutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacovigilance, and toxicology. Medical pharmacology sessions examine drug action mechanisms, drug-receptor interactions, pharmacodynamics, and managing pharmacological research. Clinical therapeutics sessions cover drug therapy, therapeutic drug monitoring, treatment guidelines, and managing clinical therapeutics. Pharmacokinetics sessions cover drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, drug interactions, and managing pharmacokinetic analysis. Pharmacovigilance sessions cover adverse drug reactions, drug safety monitoring, post-marketing surveillance, and managing pharmacovigilance. Toxicology sessions cover drug toxicity, poison management, environmental toxicology, and managing toxicology. Drug development sessions cover drug discovery, preclinical testing, clinical trials, drug registration, and managing drug development. Molecular pharmacology sessions cover molecular targets, signal transduction, receptor pharmacology, and managing molecular pharmacology research. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory practicals provide hands-on experience with pharmacological techniques, drug analysis, animal experiments, and laboratory analysis. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in pharmacology and therapeutics. Guest lectures from experienced pharmacologists, pharmaceutical scientists, and clinical pharmacists provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis on a pharmacology or therapeutics topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for pharmacology professionals with growing pharmaceutical industry, drug safety needs, and clinical research in Kenya.
Programme combines pharmacological science with clinical therapeutics, providing versatile skills for both research and clinical application.
MMUST offers competitive fees at approximately KES 150,750/year.
UoN offers related programmes providing additional institutional options for pharmacology specialisation.

Against it

Only MMUST confirmed offering this exact programme name, limiting institutional choice.
No private university confirmed offering this exact programme, limiting options.
Programme requires strong background in biomedical sciences and pharmacology, which may be challenging for some students.
Programme is specialised, which may limit versatility compared to broader biomedical science degrees.

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

Public151k to 187k

151k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology187k at Moi University

Private149k to 320k

149k at Mount Kenya University320k at United States International University Africa

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

Moi 187,200/yr (worldscholarshipforum). MMUST 150,750/yr (mmust.ac.ke). USIU 319,500 (nyongesasande).

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KEMRI may provide training support for research staff. PPB may provide training support for pharmacy professionals. Some pharmaceutical companies and research institutions may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KEMRI Training Support
PPB Training Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KEMRI Training Support
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenya Medical Research Institute supports training for research staff.
WHO Training Support
GrantKsh 300,000
World Health Organization provides training support for pharmacology professionals in developing countries.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Most universities require Upper Second Class Honours in pharmacy, biomedical sciences, or related field. Lower Second Division holders with relevant research experience are considered. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework20% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, seminar presentations, case studies, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering medical pharmacology, clinical therapeutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacovigilance, and toxicology.
Practical and Laboratory Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, pharmacological techniques, drug analysis, animal experiments, and demonstrating pharmacology skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a pharmacology or therapeutics topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and pharmacology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Masinde Muliro University (public) offers MSc in Pharmacology and Therapeutics. University of Nairobi (public) offers related MSc in Pharmacology and Toxicology and MSc in Molecular Pharmacology. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in pharmacology. Graduates are eligible for PPB professional registration and IUPHAR membership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Masinde Muliro University (public) offers MSc in Pharmacology and Therapeutics. University of Nairobi (public) offers related MSc in Pharmacology and Toxicology and MSc in Molecular Pharmacology. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in pharmacology. Graduates are eligible for PPB professional registration and IUPHAR membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Pharmacologist
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Conducts pharmacological research, overseeing research design, laboratory analysis, drug studies, and managing pharmacology research.
Clinical Pharmacology Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 700,000
Manages clinical pharmacology services, overseeing drug therapy, therapeutic monitoring, clinical trials, and managing clinical pharmacology.
Drug Safety Officer
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages pharmacovigilance, overseeing adverse drug reaction monitoring, drug safety, risk assessment, and managing drug safety systems.
Pharmaceutical Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 650,000
Conducts pharmaceutical research, overseeing drug development, preclinical testing, clinical trials, and managing pharmaceutical research.
Toxicology Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages toxicology services, overseeing toxicity testing, poison management, risk assessment, and managing toxicology services.
Pharmacology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Teaches pharmacology at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, laboratory supervision, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

HPLC
EquipmentPrimary
HPLC for drug analysis, covering drug quantification, pharmacokinetic analysis, drug metabolism, and managing drug analysis.
Spectrophotometer
Equipment
Spectrophotometer for pharmacological analysis, covering drug concentration, enzyme assays, and managing spectrophotometric analysis.
SPSS
Software
SPSS statistical software for pharmacology research, covering data analysis, statistical tests, and managing research data.
GraphPad Prism
Software
GraphPad Prism for pharmacological data analysis, covering dose-response curves, pharmacokinetic modelling, and managing pharmacological data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Pharmacology is just about dispensing drugs.
Pharmacology covers comprehensive drug science including drug action mechanisms, drug development, pharmacovigilance, toxicology, and clinical therapeutics.
This programme is only for pharmacists.
Pharmacology skills are valuable for biomedical scientists, medical doctors, researchers, and anyone with a relevant biomedical science background.
Pharmacology has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With growing pharmaceutical industry, drug safety needs, and clinical research, demand for pharmacology professionals is increasing in Kenya.
This programme is the same as pharmacy.
Pharmacology focuses on drug action and therapeutics, while pharmacy covers broader drug preparation, dispensing, and patient counselling.
Pharmacovigilance is just about reporting side effects.
Pharmacovigilance covers comprehensive drug safety monitoring including adverse drug reaction detection, risk assessment, benefit-risk analysis, and regulatory action.
Drug development is not relevant to Kenya.
Drug development is critical to Kenya's health challenges including tropical diseases, drug resistance, and local pharmaceutical manufacturing.