How to become a pharmacist with a biochemistry degree in Nigeria…Can you major in biochemistry to become a pharmacist?
It is no longer news that Biochemistry is Biochemistry as a course is not a well appreciated course in Nigeria and even globally compared to other health allied courses like Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Physiology , Dentistry etc….Getting job as a biochemist is an uphill task in Nigeria as biochemistry fields and professions is quite limited…. Biochemistry is not a very lucrative course…. especially in Nigeria and Africa….Nigeria and of course africa are still rated low in areas of research and studies…This is where biochemists are supposed to thrive…Most biochemists I know in Nigeria are lecturers….
I also know some biochemists that decided to go for Medicine or even pharmacy after their first degree….
For biochemistry majors that have their first degree in biochemistry,here is how you can cross to becoming a pharmacist…there are two ways….
1. Do JAMB/UTME again
Yes, if you are a biochemist and you are interested in becoming a Pharmacist, then write JAMB again. Buy fresh JAMB form and apply for Pharmacy….You will be required to score very high in UTME and post-UME to stand a chance of getting admitted…Since you have experience haven acquired a first degree, you stand a higher chance of passing the entrance exams…
Going through the JAMB pathway to have a second undergraduate degree in pharmacy after your first degree in Biochemistry is the surest and most reliable pathway.
READ ALSO: Can a biochemist become a medical doctor or surgeon?
2. Direct Entry
This is no longer in vogue these days as many universities are no longer accepting students to come in through direct entry into pharmacy and even medicine. If you want to try this pathway,good, but ensure you find out directly from your choosen University admission board to avoid stories that touch. I hope this is clear….if you find out that they accept direct entry in pharmacy, ensure you study very hard to meet their cut off mark for admission. Don’t forget that in direct entry, very few candidates are admitted. It is more competitive.
3. Cross from Biochemistry to Pharmacy
For some undergraduate biochemist still in school, sometimes, the department of pharmacy may allow you cross over or switch to their department if you have a high CGPA…Many universities in Nigeria no longer allow this….but I was told OAU, UNILAG and UNIBEN still allow some form of departmental transfer from biochemistry to pharmacy.
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