Diploma in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Course details

Through the DPHM, you will gain critical knowledge in areas such as drug discovery and development, clinical pharmacy, medication review, patient counselling, and alternative medicine. Depending on your interests, you can choose to specialise in either Pharmacy Practice or Industrial Pharmacy and Marketing.

You’ll also gain real-world experience during industry attachments at hospitals, clinical research institutes, and other organisations.

Hands-on training in the new RP-KTPH Teaching Dispensary will give you valuable skills in compounding and dispensing drugs. The dispensary stocks more than 600 types of medicines and is a fully equipped teaching laboratory that will give you relevant and up-to-date training even before you start your attachment.

Specialisation Tracks

1. Pharmacy Practice  

• Acquire clinical skills such as compounding extemporaneous preparations and dispensing
• Learn to effectively communicate with the public, patients, and healthcare professionals through hands-on experience in clinical and retail pharmacy settings
• Develop capabilities for managing problems in a dynamic pharmaceutical environment

2. Industrial Pharmacy and Marketing  

• Build a strong foundation in the application of good manufacturing practices and gain relevant experience through industry attachments
• Be exposed to applications of analytical instrumentation and formulation techniques in pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Learn different skills and strategies involved in sales and marketing of healthcare-related products

Course Outcomes

• Learn how to use drugs to manage and improve patients’ health and wellbeing.
• Gain critical knowledge in drug discovery and development.
• Develop the skills needed to compound and dispense drugs safely and efficiently.
• Prepare yourself for a rewarding career with potential employers from the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, including hospitals, polyclinics,
• multinational corporations, and small and medium enterprises.

Career Opportunities

DPHM graduates are highly sought after in healthcare institutions, research laboratories, and companies that develop and distribute pharmaceuticals. You can look forward to a career in roles such as:

• Clinic Supervisor
• Clinical Research Coordinator
• Pharmacy Technician
• Quality Control Technologist
• Research Assistant
• Sales/Product Executive
• Medical Representative

Course Structure

General Modules (20 MC )  

5 compulsory modules: 

• Mathematics 
• Chemistry 
• Organisational Behaviour 
• Cognitive Processes and Problem Solving 
• Effective Communication  

Discipline Modules (40 MC )  

8 compulsory modules: 

• Anatomy and Physiology 
• Biology 
• Chemistry II 
• Microbiology 
• Molecular and Cell Biology 
• Biochemistry 
• Pharmacology and Toxicology 
• Laboratory Management 

Specialisation Modules (36 MC)  

9 compulsory modules: 

Choose one out of two specialisation.

Industrial Pharmacy and Marketing 

• Pharmaceutical Calculations 
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry 
• Current Good Manufacturing Practice
• Pharmacotherapy and Pharmacy Practice 
• Pharmaceutical Legislation 
• Pharmaceutics 
• Dietary Supplements 
• Pharmaceutical Sales and Marketing 
• Pharmaceutical Compounding

Pharmacy Practice

• Patient Care 
• Pharmaceutical Calculations 
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry 
• Pharmacotherapy and Pharmacy Practice 
• Pharmaceutical Legislation 
• Pharmaceutics 
• Pharmaceutical Compounding 
• Good Dispensing Practice 
• Clinical Skills in Pharmacy Practice 

Industry Orientation Programme (28 MC)  

3 compulsory modules: 

• Project 
• Character and Citizenship Education 
• Industry Immersion Programme  (20 MC)

Freely Chosen Module (4 MC )  

Obtain a total of 4 modular credits from the prescribed range of modules offered by RP's schools and centres