How to Study Pharmacy in South Africa

South Africa is one of the best destinations to study pharmacy in Africa. A stable democracy in Africa, South Africa has enjoyed relative peace, economic growth and urbanization. Pharmacy degree is both theoretical and practical-oriented course, South Africa boosts one of the few world-class infrastructures and modern teaching equipments in Africa.

After studying pharmacy in South Africa, there are a wide range of opportunities and jobs for the pharmacists.

The areas of practice for pharmacists are Academic institution, Community pharmacy, Consultant pharmacy, Private institution, Public institution, Manufacturing pharmacy and Wholesale pharmacy

The South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC)

We will explain how the pharmacy education and training works in South Africa. The South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) through the Pharmacy Acis53 of 1974, Section 3) is responsible for pharmacy regulation in South Africa. The regulation includes pharmacy education and training, accreditation go pharmacy technician, pharmacy assistants.

They also register pharmacists and community pharmacies. The licence is issued by the National Department Of Health (NDOH) and recorded by the Pharmacy Council. The Pharmacy Council also has inspection officers responsible for periodic inspection of all pharmacies, Primary Health clinics and all the facilities under the jurisdiction of the SAPC to ensure they maintain standard practice.

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Some pharmacists are qualified to prescribe in South Africa. Prescribing of drugs above schedule 2 by pharmacists, except as provided in the regulations of the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act (101 of 1965) are not permitted.

Pharmacists in South Africa also contribute to antimicrobial stewardship programs, like switching oral medications to IV, but cannot alter doses, or order for lab tests.

The Bachelor of Pharmacy in South Africa

Pharmacy in South Africa is a four-year program, after which the student will undertake a one-year internship programme. A one-year community service will follow the internship program.

The Bachelor of Pharmacy is the minimum requirement to practice as a pharmacist in South Africa, and the education must comply with the standards of the Good Education Standards (GPE-HEQSF).

The Bpharm degree is a level 8 study in the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The Masters Programme and postbaccalaureate Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program are also offered by some universities.

The South African Pharmacy Council recognises two cadres of specialist pharmacists – Radio-Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacokinetics specialists.

The SAPC also regulates other pharmacy related degrees, such as pharmacy technicians, learner basic pharmacist’s assistants, basic pharmacist’s assistants, learner post-basic pharmacist’s assistants, and post-basic pharmacist’s assistants. To register as pharmacist technician in a South Africa, you need a minimum of Pharmacy Support and Advanced Certificate.

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For Basic Pharmacist Assistants, they require a National Certificate, but Post-Basic Pharmacist Assistants need Further Education and Training Certificate

Registration of a Foreign-trained Pharmacist in South Africa

If you obtained your pharmacist licence from another country and wish to practice in South Africa, you will have to fulfil all the requirements.

The first step is to file your application with the SAPC. You will have a maximum period of six months to submit all required documents after submitting your application to SAPC through their physical office or email.

If your application scales through the Pre-Registration Committee meeting. This committee meets four times in a year, and if they approve your application, you will write a professional examination.

The maximum number of tries in the examination is four times in a four-year duration. After the exam, the applicant will register as a Pharmacist Assistant (Learner Post-Basic) with a pharmacy education provider for the Law and Ethics modules.

After the completion of the Law and Ethics module, the applicant will partake in the pharmacy internship program for 6 to 12 months, after which he/she is registered as the Pharmacist Assistant (Post-Basic).

When the internship assessment is done, a one-year (12 months) community service will follow. After this mandatory service, the applicant will be registered as a pharmacist.

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Pharmacy Education in South Africa

There are many universities offering pharmacy education in South Africa. In this post, we will list the different schools of pharmacy in South Africa with the entry requirement.

To gain admission to study pharmacy in South Africa, you must make the minimum requirements.

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