Educating Competent Pharmaceutical Professionals to Ensure Rational Medicine Use, Quality Healthcare, and Patient Safety.

📌 Overview

In a national healthcare system focused on health promotion, disease prevention, and expanding services to rural and underserved populations, access to well-trained pharmaceutical professionals is vital. As an essential component of the healthcare delivery system, the Department of Pharmacy at Hossana Health Sciences College (HHSC) is dedicated to preparing skilled pharmacy professionals capable of managing medicine supply chains, optimizing clinical drug therapy, and delivering high-quality patient care.

🎯 Objective of the Department

To produce competent, ethically grounded, and patient-centered pharmacy professionals equipped with the knowledge, clinical judgment, and management skills required to ensure the rational, safe, and cost-effective use of medicines across all levels of the healthcare delivery system.

🎓 Programs Offered

• B.Sc. Degree in Pharmacy (Regular & Post-Basic)

• Level IV Diploma in Pharmacy (Pharmacy Technician)

🌟 The “Eight-Star Pharmacist” Professional Profile

In alignment with global standards established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), our curriculum trains students to fulfill eight core roles:

• Caregiver: Providing high-quality, continuous caring services integrated within the multidisciplinary healthcare system.

• Decision-Maker: Evaluating and synthesizing data to ensure the appropriate, safe, efficacious, and cost-effective use of medicines, equipment, and health resources.

• Communicator: Serving as a vital bridge between prescribers and patients, communicating essential drug information with confidence and clarity.

• Manager: Effectively managing human, physical, and financial resources, as well as pharmaceutical supply chains and health information technology.

• Life-Long Learner: Developing the principles, habits, and commitment needed to continuously update professional knowledge and clinical skills throughout a healthcare career.

• Teacher: Assisting in the education, mentorship, and training of future health professionals and empowering the community with health literacy.

• Leader: Assuming leadership positions in multidisciplinary care teams to advocate for patient welfare, community health, and sound medicine policies.

• Researcher: Utilizing evidence-based practice to advise on rational drug use and contributing to scientific research aimed at optimizing clinical outcomes.

🔬 Practical & Laboratory Training

• Department Demonstration & Compounding Labs: Gaining practical experience in pharmaceutical compounding, dosage form preparation, and drug quality analysis.

• Hospital & Clinical Rotations: Hands-on clinical attachments in inpatient and outpatient hospital pharmacies, ward rounds, and drug information centers.

• Community Pharmacy & Supply Chain Attachments: Practical training in medicine store management, inventory management tools (IPLSa), dispensing practices, and patient counseling.

💼 Career Opportunities & Graduate Prospects

Graduates from the Department of Pharmacy are eligible for professional licensing and PCOC certification, opening up diverse career pathways:

• Hospital & Clinical Pharmacies: Inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and specialized clinical pharmacy services.

• Community Pharmacies & Drug Stores: Retail dispensing, patient counseling, and community health management.

• Pharmaceutical Supply Chain & Logistics: Working with agencies like EPSS (Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service), drug importers, and wholesalers.

• Regulatory & Quality Control Agencies: Drug inspection, quality assurance, and medicine regulatory control.

• Academic & Research Institutions: Clinical instruction, laboratory demonstration, and pharmaceutical research.

• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Managing public health programs, access to essential medicines, and humanitarian aid distribution.

Warm Regards,

Mr. Duresa Dedefo (MSc)

Head, Pharmacy Department