INTRODUCTION
The Drug Research and Production Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, focuses on Medicinal Plant Research and has nearly three decades of research and teaching experience. The Unit encourages and initiates research into natural products. The Unit also provides facilities for developing natural products, especially medicinal plants into different dosage forms. In addition, there is the mandate to develop appropriate pharmacopoeia.
There is an increasing awareness in the exploitation of natural products as food and as medicines. This, no doubt, calls for a sound scientific understanding and specialized training which rest on applied chemical, biological and pharmaceutical principles. Hence the Drug Research and Production Unit in collaboration with the Department of Pharmacology has introduced these postgraduate programmes in Phytomedicines.

OBJECTIVES:
The Postgraduate programmes of the Drug Research and Production Unit are designed

1. to meet the increasing demands for specialists needed for research and development of natural products;
2. to provide an intensive training for students in phytomedicines research and
3. to contribute to the production of high level man-power for public organisations, such as the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Research Institutes etc., Non-governmental organisations such as UNESCO, Pharmaceutical manufacturing industries, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), The Scientific, Technical and Research Commission of the Organisation for African Unity (OAU/STRC), and private firms involved in or associated with natural products utilization and exploitation

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA AND DEGREES OFFERED:
(i) Diploma in Phytomedicines (PGD. Phytomedicines)
(ii) Master of Science in Phytomedicines (M.Sc. Phytomedicines)
(iii) Doctor of Philosophy in Phytomedicines (Ph.D. Phytomedicines)

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PHYTOMEDICINES

1. Admission Requirements
   Applicants for the Diploma Programme are required to hold a science, agricultural science or biomedical science degree from a recognised University. Graduates of the Obafemi Awolowo University or any other approved University with a minimum of a third class degree in relevant subjects may also be admitted into the programme.
   
2. Duration
   The course shall last for two semesters full time.
3. Requirements for the Award of Postgraduate Diploma in Phytomedicines
   To qualify for the award of the postgraduate diploma in Phytomedicines, the candidate shall be required to take and pass all the courses offered and present a project report on an approved topic. In addition, candidates will be required to take at least one elective course. The total workload shall be 22 Units. Further assessment of the candidate will be as stipulated in the University Graduate Studies Handbook.