School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

What School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana does

The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SoPPS) is a public academic institution established in August 2018 within the College of Health and Allied Sciences (CoHAS) at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. It delivers pharmaceutical education and applied research through five academic departments — Pharmacognosy & Herbal Medicine, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Pharmacotherapeutics & Pharmacy Practice, and Pharmaceutics — anchored by an ultra-modern laboratory facility and a Ghana FDA testing center on the UCC North Campus in Cape Coast. Its core product is the undergraduate Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programme, supplemented by postgraduate MSc, MPhil, PhD, PGDip, and PGCert offerings (including new Pharmacovigilance and Regulatory Science programmes launched with the FDA), and experiential learning delivered via clinical rotations at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, a high-fidelity paediatric simulation mannequin, a medicinal plant herbal garden, and the EU-funded EXCEL-PHARM mobility programme. The School operates as a public, government-funded unit within UCC; revenue mechanics are not publicly disclosed but consist of tuition (administered through UCC central admissions), research grants (EU/GIZ/NIH/PharmaVax), and limited testing services from the FDA-affiliated lab. The pioneer PharmD cohort (Rx'25) graduated in December 2025 with a 100% pass rate in the Ghana Professional Pharmacy Qualifying Examination, and the School is the first in Africa to award dual PharmD and MSc certificates within six years.

Name

School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Legal name

University of Cape Coast

Website

https://sopps.ucc.edu.gh

Company type

Public

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SoPPS is a public pharmacy school within the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, delivering the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and postgraduate programmes across five departments, supported by an FDA testing center, clinical simulation facilities, and partnerships with EU/GIZ, NIH, and the Ghana FDA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmacy Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Schools of Pharmacy (EDAHAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Healthcare Clinical Professions (CME/CE for Nurses, Allied Health, Pharmacy) (EDAAALAC)

Keywords

• Pharmacy education
• Pharmaceutical research
• Clinical pharmacy training
• Herbal medicine research
• Regulatory science programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Coast

HQ country

Ghana

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Programmes: Revenue from undergraduate PharmD programme and postgraduate programmes including MSc, MPhil, PhD, PGDip, and PGCert in Pharmaceutical Technology, Cosmetic Science, Pharmacovigilance, and Regulatory Sciences
2. Research Grants and Funding: Secured funding from international organisations and health institutions including EU, GIZ, NIH Collaborator, PharmaVax Ghana programme, and various research grants
3. Testing and Laboratory Services: FDA testing center providing pharmaceutical testing services; herbal product testing services offered to external clients

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SoPPS is a public academic school offering the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) undergraduate professional degree and postgraduate programmes (MSc, MPhil, PhD, PGDip, PGCert) in pharmaceutical sciences, pharmaceutical technology, cosmetic science, pharmacovigilance, and regulatory sciences. It delivers pharmacy education, clinical training, and pharmaceutical research through five academic departments and an FDA-accredited testing center, producing licensed pharmacists for Ghana and West Africa.

Product overview

The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SoPPS) is an academic institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of pharmaceutical education programmes. The core offering is the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) undergraduate professional degree, notable as the first pharmacy school in Africa to award dual certificates (PharmD & MSc) within six years. Supporting the PharmD are five academic departments: Pharmacognosy & Herbal Medicine, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Pharmacotherapeutics & Pharmacy Practice, and Pharmaceutics. Postgraduate offerings include MSc, MPhil, and PhD programmes in Pharmaceutical Technology and Cosmetic Science, as well as new programmes in Pharmacovigilance and Regulatory Sciences developed with the Ghana FDA. The school also provides postgraduate diplomas and certificates, practical training through ultra-modern laboratories and clinical simulation facilities, and research initiatives including medicinal plant conservation and antivenom development. The EXCEL-PHARM programme extends offerings through EU-funded mobility and research partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Programme Undergraduate professional degree programme training students to become licensed pharmacists in Ghana. First pharmacy school in Africa to award dual certificates (PharmD & MSc) within six years. Designed for prospective pharmacy students seeking professional pharmacist licensure.
• Postgraduate Programmes (MSc, MPhil, PhD) Graduate-level research and advanced programmes including MPhil and MSc in Pharmaceutical Technology and Cosmetic Science, with PhD opportunities across all five academic departments. Designed for graduate students pursuing advanced pharmaceutical research and academic careers.
• Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates (PGDip & PGCert) Professional certification programmes including Sandwich admission options for MPhil/MSc in Pharmaceutical Technology or Cosmetic Science. Designed for working professionals seeking specialized pharmaceutical credentials.
• Postgraduate Programmes in Pharmacovigilance and Regulatory Sciences New postgraduate programmes developed in partnership with Ghana Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) for training in drug safety monitoring and regulatory affairs. Designed for professionals in pharmaceutical regulation and pharmacovigilance.
• Ultra-Modern Laboratory Facility and FDA Testing Center State-of-the-art laboratory facility and FDA testing center in the Central Region of Ghana, supporting practical training for students and providing pharmaceutical testing services to external clients.
• EXCEL-PHARM Mobility Programme EU-funded Global Gateway Initiative offering intra-African mobility, collaborative training, and cross-continental research partnerships for African postgraduate researchers in pharmaceutical and health sciences. Designed for African postgraduate researchers and institutions.
• Medicinal Plant Research and Herbal Garden Living laboratory garden operated by the Department of Pharmacognosy & Herbal Medicine serving as a teaching, research, and conservation facility for medicinal plants used in pharmaceutical education and traditional healthcare practices.
• Clinical Skills Training and Simulation Experiential learning through high-fidelity paediatric simulation mannequin integrated into the School's clinical skills training programme as part of pharmacotherapeutics rotations. Designed for PharmD students developing clinical competencies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% pass rate in Ghana Professional Pharmacy Qualifying Examination
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), GhanacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2026High-level engagement to fast-track rollout of postgraduate programmes in Pharmacovigilance and Regulatory Science. FDA testing center established at SoPPS.
• Atlantic Life SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Strategic engagement to explore opportunities for collaboration in experiential learning, industrial attachments for students, and joint research initiatives. An MOU was signed between UCC and Atlantic Lifesciences Limited. Focus on snake farm (serpentarium) establishment for local antivenom production.
• National Vaccine InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Strategic engagement focused on advancing vaccinology and supporting rollout of new postgraduate programmes in Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Biotechnology, and Vaccinology at SoPPS.
• German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Collaboration on PharmaVax Ghana programme - a joint initiative by EU and GIZ supporting pharmaceutical science research and innovation.
• Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Strategic engagement for collaboration in herbal medicine research and development, leveraging Ghana's traditional medicine expertise.
• Forestry Commission of GhanaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Collaboration related to wildlife and botanical garden activities supporting medicinal plant research and conservation.
• US Embassy Public Diplomacy SectioncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 August 2025Meeting to discuss potential future collaborations. Facilitated Fulbright Specialist visit (Dr. Jon Wietholter) who helped develop integrated practice-ready modular PharmD curriculum.
• Howard University College of Pharmacy (HUCOP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2024International exchange programme hosting Doctor of Pharmacy exchange students. Part of existing international exchange between UCC SoPPS and HUCOP. Students conduct hospital/clinical pharmacy practice experience at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital.
• PUM NetherlandsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 3 June 2024Senior Expert Jos Kessels provided Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training for staff members. Five-day workshop covering validation, quality, and facility validation modules.
• Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-class trusted partnership. PSGH interaction meeting organized to sensitize students on the pharmacy profession and introduce main sectors of the pharmacy profession.
• Pharmacy Council GhanacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRegulatory body for pharmacy education and practice in Ghana. Conducted re-accreditation visit and ongoing programme oversight.
• Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-class trusted partnership for collaborative research in medical and pharmaceutical sciences.
• Ghana Health ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-class trusted partnership for healthcare delivery collaboration and experiential learning.
• Ministry of Health, GhanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-class trusted partnership for healthcare policy and pharmacy profession development.
• NIH CollaboratorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-class trusted partnership for international health research collaboration.
• University of Rhode IslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-class trusted partnership; WACP collaboration for academic and research exchange.
• Auburn UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-class trusted partnership for international pharmacy education collaboration.
• Seeding LabsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-class trusted partnership supporting laboratory equipment and resources.
• Phyto-Riker Pharmaceutical (KNUST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-class trusted partnership with KNUST's pharmaceutical research unit.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy: Listed as a world-class trusted partner of SoPPS for international pharmacy education collaboration. Comparable as a multi-departmental pharmacy school offering PharmD, postgraduate, and PhD programmes with research foci in drug discovery and pharmacotherapy.
• University of Ibadan Faculty of Pharmacy: One of Nigeria's leading pharmacy faculties with undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Comparable as a West African pharmacy school producing pharmacists, conducting pharmaceutical research, and competing for regional faculty and students.
• Howard University College of Pharmacy: Active international exchange partner hosting SoPPS PharmD students. Comparable as a pharmacy school offering PharmD, clinical training, and research with a focus on health equity and underserved populations.
• Obafemi Awolowo University Faculty of Pharmacy: Nigerian pharmacy faculty offering BPharm/PharmD-equivalent programmes and postgraduate research. Comparable to SoPPS as a West African higher-education institution producing pharmacists and conducting pharmaceutical sciences research.
• University of the Western Cape School of Pharmacy: South African pharmacy school with undergraduate and postgraduate programmes focusing on pharmaceutical sciences and clinical pharmacy. Comparable to SoPPS in serving a national pharmacy training need across multiple departments.
• Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) - Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences: Ghana's longest-established pharmacy school and the most direct competitor. Both schools train pharmacists, conduct pharmaceutical research, and compete for the same West African student pool; SoPPS has an existing research partnership with KNUST's Phyto-Riker unit.
• Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) School of Pharmacy: Tanzania's leading health sciences university with a pharmacy school offering BPharm and postgraduate programmes. Comparable as an East African pharmacy school producing pharmacists and conducting pharmaceutical research, though operating in a different sub-region.
• University of Ghana School of Pharmacy: Another major Ghanaian pharmacy school offering PharmD and postgraduate programmes. Competes with SoPPS for students, faculty, and research funding within Ghana's small pool of pharmacy academics.
• University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy: WACP-listed academic and research exchange partner. Comparable as a US pharmacy college engaged in international collaboration, pharmaceutical research, and PharmD education in alignment with SoPPS priorities.

Others

• Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR): Active herbal-medicine research partner of SoPPS. Complementary rather than competitive; CPMR's herbal medicine programmes and SoPPS's Pharmacognosy & Herbal Medicine department overlap in research focus and student training.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/school-of-pharmacy-and-pharmaceutical-science

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana