Health, Public Health & Safety
Essential Medicines & Pharmaceutical Policy
Selection, supply and rational use of essential medicines.
View prospectus
Programme rationale
Selection, supply and rational use of essential medicines. The programme is structured for learners who need practical, assessable capability they can connect to real responsibilities while continuing work or other commitments.
Programme at a glance
Around 12 weeks of guided study, typically two sessions a week plus independent work, so you can keep working while you study.
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weeks 1–2 | Essential medicines concepts and selection |
| 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Quantification, procurement and supply chain |
| 3 | Weeks 5–6 | Storage, expiry and pharmacovigilance |
| 4 | Weeks 7–8 | Rational prescribing and dispensing |
| 5 | Weeks 9–12 | Pharmaceutical policy, pricing and access |
Target audience & entry requirements
Target audience
- • Health workers, facility teams, safety focal persons and community health volunteers.
- • Programme staff whose work includes prevention, preparedness, surveillance, safety or community engagement.
- • Learners seeking structured professional development in public-health and safety practice.
Entry requirements
- • Basic literacy and secondary-level education, or relevant practical work experience.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the programme, learners should be able to:
- Quantify medicine needs for a facility
- Apply good storage and stock practice
- Promote rational medicine use
Detailed modules
Each module below follows this programme’s published syllabus and contributes to the final practical work.
- 1
Essential medicines concepts and selection
Weeks 1–2Study essential medicines concepts and selection in the context of health, Public Health & Safety, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within essential medicines concepts and selection
- Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
- Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario
Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying essential medicines concepts and selection to a realistic setting.
- 2
Quantification, procurement and supply chain
Weeks 3–4Build hands-on competence in quantification, procurement and supply chain through guided demonstrations, practice files and portfolio work.
What you cover
- Core tools and workflow for quantification, procurement and supply chain
- Production standards, file management and responsible use
- Creating, reviewing and presenting a finished output
Assessed work: Complete a portfolio-ready output demonstrating quantification, procurement and supply chain.
- 3
Storage, expiry and pharmacovigilance
Weeks 5–6Study storage, expiry and pharmacovigilance in the context of health, Public Health & Safety, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within storage, expiry and pharmacovigilance
- Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
- Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario
Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying storage, expiry and pharmacovigilance to a realistic setting.
- 4
Rational prescribing and dispensing
Weeks 7–8Study rational prescribing and dispensing in the context of health, Public Health & Safety, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within rational prescribing and dispensing
- Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
- Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario
Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying rational prescribing and dispensing to a realistic setting.
- 5
Pharmaceutical policy, pricing and access
Weeks 9–12Develop practical capability in pharmaceutical policy, pricing and access, linking roles, resources, decisions, accountability and review.
What you cover
- Roles, responsibilities and decision points in pharmaceutical policy, pricing and access
- Planning tools, coordination arrangements and documentation
- Implementation monitoring, accountability and improvement
Assessed work: Draft a usable plan, workflow or decision brief for pharmaceutical policy, pricing and access.
Practical project / portfolio
Facility stock and quantification exercise.
Teaching & learning approach
- Tutor-led explanation and demonstration focused on the published module topics.
- Guided practice using cases, scenarios, templates or production tasks relevant to the programme.
- Individual and group feedback that helps learners improve work before final submission.
- Flexible online, face-to-face or blended participation, with evening and weekend scheduling where available.
Assessment & completion
- • Short applied tasks linked to the published modules.
- • Practical component: Facility stock and quantification exercise.
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
Learner support
- • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
- • Case material and worked examples based on community and field practice.
- • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.
How this programme is delivered
Online
Guided sessions and assignments you can follow from anywhere with a connection.
Face-to-face
Classroom sessions at our Mile 91 learning centre, including weekend and evening options.
Blended
A mix of online study with periodic in-person workshops, field exercises and simulations.
Career & professional pathways
This programme supports professional development; it does not guarantee employment, promotion or entry to a regulated occupation.
- Strengthen performance in community health, facility support, safety, preparedness or programme-assistant roles.
- Use the practical project as evidence of applied professional development in your current workplace.
- Progress to related SLIHSD public-health, safety or emergency-management study where available.
Fees & enrolment
- • Indicative programme fee: SLE 2,500.
- • One-off indicative registration fee: SLE 100.
- • Final fees, start date, delivery arrangement and any instalment option are confirmed in writing before commitment.
- • Submitting an application does not require payment and does not guarantee admission.
Regulatory & recognition notice
SLIHSD is a developing professional learning institution. Accreditation and formal recognition are subject to applicable regulatory approvals. Completion records an SLIHSD professional short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Learners who complete all assessments receive an SLIHSD professional certificate of completion. This records completion of an SLIHSD short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Ready to start Essential Medicines & Pharmaceutical Policy?
Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.