Survey of Pharmacokinetics Knowledge Among Pharmacy Students at University of Benin, Edo State, South South Nigeria

A sound understanding of pharmacokinetics is essential for pharmacy graduates to make evidence-based drug dosing recommendations and understand variability in therapeutic outcomes. This study assessed the depth of pharmacokinetics knowledge among pharmacy students at the University of Benin, Edo State, South South Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 pharmacy students across final two academic levels using a validated 50-item pharmacokinetics knowledge test covering absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion principles. Performance was assessed across conceptual understanding and applied clinical calculation components. Mean total score was 61 percent, with the weakest performance in applied calculation questions involving half-life estimation, volume of distribution, and renal clearance adjustments. Students who reported consistent review of pharmacokinetics concepts outside of lectures performed significantly better. Conceptual understanding of first-pass metabolism and bioavailability was strong in approximately 70 percent of respondents, while understanding of non-linear kinetics was limited to fewer than 30 percent. Students expressed a preference for case-based teaching over didactic lectures for pharmacokinetics instruction. The findings suggest the need for curriculum enrichment including more problem-solving opportunities and clinical correlation exercises in pharmacokinetics instruction. Integration of pharmacokinetics software tools and simulation programs into pharmacy education at UNIBEN is recommended to bridge the gap between theory and clinical application. Keywords: pharmacokinetics, pharmacy education, University of Benin, drug dosing, pharmaceutical sciences