Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has commended the Technical University of Kenya for offering quality training in pharmaceutical technology as exemplified by the 100 per cent pass rate of its students. TU-K offers a Diploma in Pharmaceutical Technology examined by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC).
The University has since developed two curricular, namely Bachelor of Pharmacy and Bachelor of Technology in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing. The two programmes are likely to be launched in 2026 after going through the University Senate, Commission for University Education and the PBB.
“Kenya pharmaceutical industry largely repackages medication, we do not manufacture medicine in the country. For this reason, we have developed a curriculum to cater for this need,” Dr. Isaac Omwenga, a Lecturer in the Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences explained.
A delegation from the regulatory body PPB in their routine annual inspection tour lauded the Department’s innovation and efforts in ensuring qualified graduates join the market chain.
The delegation noted with satisfaction the state of laboratories and requisite equipment for conducting practical lessons, library and ICT facilities, classrooms and adequate and qualified staff in the Department.
Prof. David Nyamu who was the lead inspector indicated that stakeholder in the market play critical role in shaping training of such courses that are critical in human wellbeing and environment.
Prof. Nyamu said that PPB is a body mandated to partner with various institutions including colleges and university in ensuring high stands on training are upheld.
“This is part of our routing visits to institutions such as yours to assist and partner in ensuring that we produce quality graduates, you note that pharmacy is a unique and sensitive career. We are therefore here to ensure you are within standards that have been developed,” he said.
Prof. Nyamu was accompanied by Dr. Lucy Tirop, and Dr. Sylvia Ndegwa.
Present during the visit were members of the Department together with the Ag. Dean, FAST Prof. George Amolo who represented both the VC, Prof Benedict Mutua, Prof. George Amolo and DVC- ASA Prof. Francis Gatheri
Some of recommendations PPB made to TU-K included; increasing the number of trainers at the Department and setting up of personalised pharmacy within the University to allow students undertaking their Internal Based Learning (IBL) get a role play experience.
The Poisons Board will submit a full report the re-inspection of the pharmaceutical training at TU-K.
