Aim 

The aim of the programme is to help provide the necessary knowledge and skills required to formulate quality medicinal products of various dosage forms with the required amount of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), using appropriate technology, and local resources, so as to have suitable chemical integrity protected at the point of its action. 

Objectives 

The objectives of the programme are to: 

1. Teach advanced theoretical and practical concepts relating to formulation of pharmaceutical products; 
2. Equip students with critical and analytical skills to perform professional tasks in identifying appropriate excipients for specific dosage form formulation, 
3. Advance the ability of graduates to carry out innovative research in existing and new areas in drug formulation techniques, 
4. Teach students the professional and ethical principles concerning formulation of drugs, 
5. Acquire and develop transferable hands-on skills to produce safe, stable, effective and less expensive medicines using appropriate technology, 
6. Offer opportunities for progression to higher educational (doctorate) levels. 

Intended/Expected Outcomes 

At the end of the programme, graduates would be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to formulate medicine in industries, local settings and related areas by: 

1. Using appropriate technology, 
2. Sourcing and using local materials as excipients in formulation, 
3. Carrying out necessary tests to authenticate starting materials for formulation, 
4. Directing manufacturing process to consistently deliver the intended performance of the final drug product, 
5. Considering critically and addressing factors (such as particle sizes, solubility, pH, polymorphism) that may influence product quality, 
6. Formulating various dosage forms of medicines, 
7. Providing the scientific basis for formulation development, 
8. Carrying out quality control checks intermittently on products being formulated, 
9. Progress on the academic ladder to a higher level of specialization (such as ability to modify plant compound(s) to obtain higher therapeutic effect and lower toxic effect). 

Students’ Admission, Progression and Graduation Candidates must have: 

1. Bachelor's Degree (at least Second Class - Lower Division or better) in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy (BSc, BPharm or PharmD), Herbal Medicine, or other related disciplines from a recognized institution. 
2. Higher National Diploma (HND) in Dispensing Technology (Second Class Upper Division or better) with a minimum of five years (5) relevant work experience after graduation. This category will take at least a six-month intensive bridge course before commencement of the actual programme. 

Candidates must attend and pass a selection interview. 

Students’ Progression 

Students must take and pass all courses. To progress to the second year, students must gain a minimum cGPA of 2.0. 

Students’ Graduation 

All courses are mandatory 

Candidates must obtain a total credit of 65.