Our History - School of Pharmacy
The University of Liberia School of Pharmacy, which is one of the professional schools in the University, was founded in 1986. The West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists—originally the West African Pharmaceutical Federation (WAPF)—a sub-regional body of pharmaceutical associations or societies in Anglo-phone West Africa and specialized agency of the erstwhile West African Health Community (WAHC) was instrumental in its founding.
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Initially, the School of Pharmacy was established to develop human resources in the pharmaceutical sector in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Gambia, with the hope that the governments of those countries would share in the cost of providing the training. Due to unexplained constraints, the role of supporting the education of pharmacists was, however, left only to the Liberian Government, through the University of Liberia. Nevertheless, the WAPF was pivotal in the birth of the School in a number of other ways.
The University of Liberia School of Pharmacy, which is one of the professional schools in the University, was founded in 1986. The West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists—originally the West African Pharmaceutical Federation (WAPF) a sub-regional body of pharmaceutical associations or societies in Anglo-phone West Africa and specialized agency of the erstwhile West African Health Community (WAHC) was instrumental in its founding. Initially, the School of Pharmacy was established to develop human resources in the pharmaceutical sector in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Gambia, with the hope that the governments of those countries would share in the cost of providing the training. Due to unexplained constraints, the role of supporting the education of pharmacists was, however, left only to the Liberian Government, through the University of Liberia. Nevertheless, the WAPF was pivotal in the birth of the School in a number of other ways. It funded the mission of Professor Emmanuel Ogunlana and the late Professor Lawrence Ndeka, both of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to Liberia for the feasibility studies for the establishment and writing of the prospectus that was, up to the time of this revision, used by the School. Not too long thereafter, the same sub-regional pharmaceutical organization seconded one of its pharmaceutical sciences laureates, the late Professor Albert N. Tackie of Ghana, to the position of coordinator. Yet further, the College of Pharmacists, upon a request made by the then Chief Pharmacist of Liberia, sent a Needs Assessment Team to the School. This was headed by Prof. Kwame Sarpong of Ghana who was then the Head of the School of Pharmacy in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Chairman of the Governing Board of Examiners of the College. The initial curriculum designed to train Bachelor of Pharmacy candidates was implemented up to 2012 when it was revised under the able leadership of the late Professor Jacob A. Kolawole sponsored by the Global Fund. The 2012 curriculum paved the way for the development of a Harmonized curriculum that aims to train Pharmacists to directly interact with patients and other health cadres to improve patient’s condition. The 2012-revised curriculum remained in effect up to 2019. The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum was finally approved by the University of Liberia Board of Trustees after series of approvals by the Academic Coordinating Committee (ACC), the Faculty Senate and the Board of Trustees in 2019. The approval of the Harmonized Doctor of Pharmacy (PHARMD) curriculum gave birth to its implementation and students from high school are enrolled into the Prepharmacy Program in the College of Science and Technology where they are required to spend at least two years and then get admitted to the School of Pharmacy. The 2021/2022 academic year admits the first cohort class from the Prepharmacy Program into the School of Pharmacy. More to that the University of Liberia witnessed the first Doctor of Pharmacy graduates during the 2020/2021 Commencement Convocation in March 2022, mainly the faculty, who underwent the Special PharmD Conversion Program to pave the way for the successful execution of and implementation of the PharmD Curriculum. A total of twelve faculty members graduated as Doctor of Pharmacy.
Our academic programs are designed to meet the challenges of modern healthcare by emphasizing scientific inquiry, clinical practice, and ethical responsibility. Through our state-of-the-art facilities, dedicated faculty, and strategic partnerships, we offer students a supportive learning environment to gain the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to excel in the dynamic field of pharmacy.​
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We take great pride in our graduates, who continue to make significant contributions to patient care, public health, and the pharmaceutical industry. Our faculty members are committed to advancing research that addresses local health challenges while contributing to global scientific discourse.
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Thank you for visiting our website and for your interest in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Liberia. We look forward to working together to shape a healthier future.
Vision & Mission
The mission of the school of pharmacy is to improve health among Liberians and other nationals through health services and other drug-related research, education, service and community outreach based on sound education.
Philosophy
The Philosophy of Pharmacy Education is to produce well educated and competent Pharmacy professionals.
General Objective
The ultimate goal of the program is to produce pharmacists with the knowledge, attitudes and skills to provide comprehensive pharmaceutical services
Specific Objectives:
At the end of the training a graduate should be able to:
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Contribute to the development and implementation of national, regional medicines and pharmaceutical policies.
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Design, develop, formulate, produce, distribute, and dispense high quality, safe and effective medicines and other healthcare products and devices.
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Assure the rational use of medicines and other healthcare products and devices.
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Manage laboratory services.
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Manage Medicines Quality Assurance.
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Promote use of herbal and other alternative medicines.
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Counsel and monitor patients as well as promote and document their appropriate medicine treatment.
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Promote public health.
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Become a life-long learner