General Pharmaceutics deals basically with Introduction to the Pharmacy Profession, Dispensing, Drug delivery systems, Packaging and storage science, Formulation of dosage forms, Rheology, Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, etc.
Pharmaceutics is concerned with the scientific and technological aspects of the design and manufacture of dosage forms. It comprises of two sections, namely: General Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology. Pharmaceutics is the main basis of Pharmacy. General Pharmaceutics deals basically with Introduction to the Pharmacy Profession, Dispensing, Drug Delivery Systems, Packaging and Storage Science, Formulation of Dosage Forms, Rheology, Pharmacokinetics and Biopharmaceutics etc. Pharmaceutical Microbiology offers in-depth information on all major groups of micro-organisms and their relationship to man and animal. The subject develops the concepts of Pathogenesis and Immunology, Chemotherapy, Sterilization, Disinfection and Preservation are dealt with in detail. Industrial fermentation and biosynthetic processes used for the production of compounds of both medical and industrial importance such as antibiotics, vitamins, blood expanders etc. are also covered.
Courses Offered
The Department offers courses in Basic Microbiology, Orientation and Dispensing, Physical Pharmacy, Sterilization and Disinfection, Chemotherapy, Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmacy Organization and Practice in Ghana, Industrial Pharmacy, Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, Dispensing and Microbiology Laboratories to undergraduate students in Pharmacy and some selected courses to Herbal Medicine students in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Research Areas
The Department researches into pharmaceutical technology, medicinal plant and the quality of medicines. Locally available raw materials are evaluated as tablet excipients in pharmaceutical dosage formulations. Starch from varieties of yam, cassava, breadfruit etc. are evaluated as tablet disintegrants whiles other locally available gums are tested as tablet binders.
Other areas include the screening of various medicinal plants for their microbiological action and evaluation of imported and locally manufactured pharmaceuticals, food and cosmetics for their stability and microbial quality.
Services
- Consultancy services in drug formulation and quality control of pharmaceuticals to various organizations and institutions.
- Continuing education of Pharmacists.
- Education of the general public on the rational use of drugs and on the need to avoid drugs abuse-misuse.