AAU Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy

• MSC in Pharmacology
• MSC in Toxicology (to be re-vitalized)
• Pharm in Pharmacy Practice
• Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy
• Postgraduate Diploma in Community  Pharmacy
• Postgraduate Certificate  in Clinical Pharmacy
• Postgraduate Certificate in Community  Pharmacy
• PhD in Pharmacology
• PhD in Clinical Pharmacy (to be launched soon)
• PhD in Toxicology (to be launched soon)

AAU Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy MSC in Pharmacology
The curriculum for former Experimental Pharmacology program launched in 2005 has been reviewed and modularized as of 2010 with a new degree nomenclature “MSC in Pharmacology”. The major courses offered in Pharmacology, MSC program include molecular cell biology, molecular pharmacology & pharmacokinetics, chemotherapy & immunopharmacology, cardiovascular & renal pharmacology, autacoids & neuropharmacology, methods in experimental pharmacology, endocrine & gastrointestinal pharmacology, biostatistics, separation techniques and laboratory-based Master’s research thesis.
AAU Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Program objectives

• To alleviate the shortage of instructors of pharmacology needed by institutions of higher learning;
• To strengthen the services of public institutions that are responsible for regulatory aspects of drugs;
• To strengthen the research capacity of pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries as well as other research institutes concerned with drug development studies, including modern and traditional drugs.

Graduate profiles
A graduate in MSC in Pharmacology should be able to:

• Teach pharmacology, toxicology and related subjects to undergraduate students in various universities and colleges;
  • Screen newer drug molecules including herbal drugs for various pharmacological activities in animals;
  • Carry out pharmacokinetic studies in animals and humans;
  • Carry out toxicity studies of chemicals and drugs;
  • Identify newer drug targets for the treatment of various diseases;
  • Investigate new research findings that can expand knowledge and understanding of drugs of abuse;
  • Monitor adverse drug reactions in patients.

Admission Requirements
To be admitted to MSC program in pharmacology, a candidate must have earned Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) degree or BSc degree in biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology or toxicology or, MD, DVM degree from Addis Ababa University (AAU) or an equivalent institution. A candidate who satisfies the above admission requirement will be required to take and pass written and oral examination. Candidates, who have not taken undergraduate courses in pharmacology, toxicology, physiology and biochemistry offered at AAU, or the equivalents of these courses, will be required to take and pass examinations in these courses before being allowed to take specialty courses.
Master of Pharmacy Practice (M.Pharm)
The MSC program in Pharmacy practice launched in 2010 consists of several courses, including advanced therapeutics courses (i-iv), advanced pharmacy practice, pharmacoepidemiology, research methods in pharmacy and ethics, and biostatistics. It has also has an extended experiential program and Master’s research thesis. Students will be attached to the different hospital wards and pharmacy practice areas where they are afforded an opportunity to interact with patients and develop skills to provide pharmaceutical care.
Program objectives

• To alleviate the shortage of instructors of pharmacy practice/Clinical Pharmacy needed by institutions of higher learning;
• To strengthen the services of public institutions that is responsible for providing pharmaceutical care;
• To strengthen the research capacity of hospital pharmacy and community pharmacy and others in the area of clinical pharmacy.

Graduate profiles
A graduate in Pharmacy Practice (M.Pharm) should be able to:

• Teach pharmacy practice and pharmacotherapy courses to undergraduate students of pharmacy;

• Supervise students of pharmacy in their pharmacy practice attachments in hospitals, community and other related areas of pharmacy practice;
• Undertake advanced pharmacy practice roles in hospitals, community and other related areas of pharmacy practice;
• Critically evaluate literature and use evidence-based principles to guide practice;
• Design and implement research in selected areas of pharmacy practice.

 
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to Pharmacy Practice, a candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from a recognized institution of higher learning. A candidate is also required to take and pass written and oral entrance examinations when deemed necessary.
MSC in Toxicology
This program, launched in 2003, has been phased out after graduation of the first batch of students; however, it is expected to  be re-vitalized soon.
PhD in Pharmacology
The PhD program was started as a sandwich program with the Swedish Uppsala University, in 2005/2006 and is currently housed totally in the department facility. It is on average a three-year full-time study consisting of seminars and/or courseworks and a doctoral dissertation. The program has four major research areas including neuropharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology, molecular pharmacology and chemotherapeutic pharmacology. Candidates will be given a chance to choose research area based on their interest and thesis work in their MSC training.
 
 
 Program Objectives

• The objective of the PhD program is to satisfy the national demand for highly trained Pharmacologists at the PhD level who will shoulder various responsibilities.

Graduate Profile
A  PhD Pharmacology graduate should be able to:

• Teach pharmacology and related subjects to undergraduate and postgraduate students in various universities and colleges;
• Identify, design and implement research projects independently or as a team;
• Identify newer drug targets for the treatment of various diseases;
• Develop lead molecules and potential drug candidates from a variety of sources and assess their activities using in vitro and in vivo models;
• Influence drug and/or health policies by consulting, advising and counseling concerned sector ministries, the pharmaceutical sector and the public at large;
• Administer programs and protocols related to his/her particular field of specialization to a wide range of clients;
• Positively influence society, and serve as an agent of change in general, and in matters related to health sciences in general and pharmacological sciences in particular.

Admission Requirements

• MSc degree or equivalent in Pharmacology or other biomedical or pharmaceutical sciences from a recognized institution of higher learning.
• Candidates must have completed their MSc degree through a thesis option program. Those completed through a non-thesis option must demonstrate their research abilities by producing at least one paper published in a peer-reviewed journal.
• Candidates with a non-pharmacology MSc degree are required to take relevant courses depending on their area of research from the MSc in Pharmacology Graduate Program.
• Honor graduates at B.Pharm, MD, or DVM are also eligible but need to complete the prescribed courses for the MSC Program.
• As the case may be, candidates need to pass a qualifying examination, consisting of written and oral exams, as well as presentation of a research proposal.