The official publication of the South African Pharmacy Council
Registrar Amos Masango contemplates the successes and challenges of a very busy 2016, and expresses his gratitude to the profession for their ongoing support. He savours the excellent accomplishments of the industry professionals who were recognised at the 2016 National Pioneer Pharmacy Awards, and conveys his satisfaction at the outcome of the 2nd National Pharmacy Conference.
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As 2016 draws rapidly to the close of a busy year for the SAPC, President Prof Mano Chetty reflects on global and national interventions that are demanding the profession to forego conventional thinking and opt for creative systems that meet the requirements of a changing pharmaceutical world. She savours the outcome of a highly successful 2nd National Pharmacy Conference, applauds the steps government has taken to address medicine shortages, welcomes the new pharmacy specialist qualifications, contemplates the National Health Insurance and deliberates the consequences of the #FeesMustFall campaign on the profession.
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The Department of Health will invest R17 billion over the next three years into upgrading the country’s public clinics to ‘workable’ levels in line with a broader preparation for introducing the National Health Insurance (NHI) system. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi announced the department’s plan during the official opening of the 2nd National Pharmacy Conference on Friday 21 October 2016.
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Council dealt with a number of issues during its meeting on 13 and 14 July 2016. Some of the matters were resolved directly with the affected parties, and others appear as separate articles in this edition of e-Pharmaciae. The following is a report on the decisions Council made with regard to applications for registration from candidates with a qualification obtained outside South Africa.
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A report on antimicrobial resistance commissioned by the UK government in 2014 paints a bleak future for children, the elderly and people with pre-existing diseases. It predicts the death of 10 million people from infectious diseases by 2050 if a solution is not found to stem the alarming rise of antibiotic resistance. A number of solutions were proposed by speakers presenting at the 2nd National Pharmacy Conference.
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Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s recorded address to recipients and guests at the 2016 SAPC National Pioneer Pharmacy Awards dealt with corruption, social justice and the continuing professional development of members of the profession. Woven through his speech was a message emphasising the essential role health and the delivery of quality healthcare played in meeting the values and rights contained in South Africa’s Constitution. Minister Gordhan, a qualified pharmacist by profession, enthused positively on the future role of the profession in the country’s healthcare system.
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The 2016 National Pioneer Pharmacy Awards was a glitzy and festive event on the 2nd SAPC National Pharmacy Conference agenda. Held on Saturday 22 October, the profession had the chance to celebrate the excellence of pharmacists and pharmacy facilities, from both the public and private sectors, under the theme an Evening with the Stars.
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Higher education is under threat as academics consider departing the tumultuous environment, characterised by the #FeesMustFall movement and violence that has strangled South Africa’s universities in recent months, for a less complicated career in industry or business. National and international university professors shared their views on the future of pharmacy education and training at the 2nd National Pharmacy Conference.
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The dreaded moment arrives when you open your email and there is a notification from Council, in the opening paragraph that has the words, “… please be informed that Council received a complaint, and it is alleged that …”
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Fees payable to the South African Pharmacy Council for the 2017 financial year. Please note that if you want your registration to be effective from 1 January 2017, you should pay the fees scheduled for 2017 and not for 2016.
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Did you know you are liable to be charged with unprofessional conduct if you give someone your online password? Providing a third party with access to your secure site on Council’s website comprises the protection of personal information and leaves you open to disciplinary action.
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As the health department’s preparations for the introduction of the National Health Insurance continue, Department of Health Deputy Director-General, Dr Anban Pillay, has called on pharmacists to carefully think about the services they provide to their communities and the ways in which pharmacists could be freed from dispensing duties to better interact with patients. He advised delegates at the 2nd National Pharmacy Conference that pharmacists needed to broaden their outlook on the services they provided.
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Council regrettably bade farewell to fellow colleagues Vuyo Mokoena and Thabo Litabe and wishes them well in their new careers. Council is pleased to introduce its new appointees and extends them a warm welcome.
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A worrying issue that appears to be occurring more frequently in the health industry is the rise in legal action involving medical or dispensing errors. Medical errors and accidents featured on the agenda at the 2nd National Pharmacy Conference, and presentations were delivered on the possible reasons for the increase in costly legal malpractice suits.
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Council, in keeping abreast of good pharmacy practice, from time to time publishes minimum standards for inclusion in Annexure A of the Rules relating to good pharmacy practice. Council has approved five minimum standards for implementation and one minimum standard for publication for comment.
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The Committee of Formal Inquiry announces the following findings from its investigations:
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* This is not the latest version of this list.
– Please see – List of Approved Providers and Courses – Dec 2018
Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi is punting the message that prevention is key to reach the vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, zero AIDS-related deaths and zero new vertical transmissions. In his impassioned plea to the public he states It is in our hands to end the scourge of HIV and TB epidemics. The release of HIV screening test kits into the market is hoped to increase the number of people who test, know their status and receive treatment. Council has approved the minimum standard for the sale of HIV screening test kits.
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Are you monitoring your learners to ensure they complete their qualifications on time? Your participation is of paramount importance to ensure the professional development of our learners and the running of your pharmacy establishments. We take a look at the consequences of learners who fail to complete their courses on time.
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National Pharmacy Week acknowledges the invaluable contributions the pharmacy profession makes to patient care in all healthcare settings by ensuring the safe and effective use of medication. Pharmacists across the country participated in a variety of activities to promote the profession under the 2016 theme Use Medicine Safely. The Office received delightful reports and photos showing some of the celebrations.
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