Message from the Registrar

Registrar Amos Masango expresses his delight at a successful first half year for Council and the profession, and is justifiably proud of the advancements made in a number of areas; from the promotion of pharmacy, the introduction of new qualifications, advancements in technology, NHI developments, self-testing HIV kits through to the grading of pharmacies.

Message from the President

SAPC President Mano Chetty welcomes the extension of National Pharmacy Week to National Pharmacy Month, which in future will span the entire month of September. Professor Chetty calls on the profession to use the opportunity to heighten public awareness on the significant role pharmacists can play in the nation’s wellbeing, and shares some interesting snippets on the history and development of vaccines in support of this year’s theme, Don’t wait – vaccinate!

Decisions taken at the Council meeting (Oct, Feb, May)

Council dealt with a number of issues during its meetings on 12/13 October 2016, 15/16 February 2017 and 10/11 May 2017. Some of the matters were resolved directly with the affected parties, and others appear as separate articles in this edition of e-Pharmaciae.

National Pharmacy Month – September 2017

The pharmacy profession’s annual awareness drive has been elevated to new heights this year, and Council proudly announces the extension of National Pharmacy Week to a full month. Commencing this year, September will be wholly devoted to pharmacy and celebrated as National Pharmacy Month.

The profession is urged to use the month to promote pharmacy and visibly demonstrate the significant role the profession plays in the healthcare sector. The theme for 2017 is Don’t Wait – Vaccinate.

Consumer engagement on social media critical for pharmacists’ digital relevance

Social media platforms have everybody communicating with all and sundry, and during the 2nd National Pharmacy Conference pharmacists were urged to use the explosion in technology to their best advantage. As people are active participants on social media, pharmacists have the opportunity to explore the use of ‘apps’ to engage their consumers and disseminate information that improves personal and community health practices.

SOCIAL MEDIA – Knowing the Boundaries

Was there life before Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and Pinterest?

Today social media allows us to communicate with the world at the touch of a fingertip or the click of a mouse. It has opened up a whole new world to all of us. But, just like every other form of communication, how you communicate on this virtual stage, and the information you share, is very important. Council is looking into the risks that healthcare professionals could face when behaving irresponsibly on line.

Department of Health seeks solutions for improved dispensing

Medicine and staff shortages, lengthy queues and drug stock outs have long plagued the South African healthcare system. But it is not a phenomenon unique to South Africa; it is a worldwide occurrence. Delegates at the 2nd National Pharmacy Conference were intrigued to hear of the innovative solutions the Department of Health is introducing to improve the country’s medicine supply chain.

Collaboration is key to high quality pharmaceutical services

Collaboration among different sectors of healthcare professionals was a pertinent topic of discussion at the 2nd National Pharmacy Conference. In this article we feature the views of a community pharmacy director, a traditional health practitioner and a government health official. Their perspectives bolster the belief that collaborative engagements have the potential to provide …

Pharmacists to play crucial role in promoting HIV self-testing kits

Council has adopted the United Nations’ ambitious project to bring the HIV epidemic under control by 2020 through universal testing and treating. Pharmacists are regarded as ideally placed to educate their communities and increase the number of people diagnosing their status through an HIV self-screening test.

Grading of pharmacies as approved by Council and implemented in 2013

The grading of a pharmacy is an indication of a pharmacy’s level of compliance with the rules of good pharmacy practice. Council regards all shortcomings in pharmacies in a serious light, and stiff penalties are imposed on pharmacy owners and responsible pharmacists whose pharmacies don’t make the grade.

Online preregistration examination for interns

The preregistration year for interns follows immediately after completion of four years’ full-time study leading to the awarding of a BPharm degree.

The introduction of the online preregistration examination will speed up processes and enable the intern to make informative and timely career decisions.

Tutors to verify interns’ CPD entries

Tutors have been granted permission to access their interns’ continuing professional development (CPD) entries to validate and authenticate the records of activities before they are submitted to Council for assessment.

Tutors will, at first, be granted read-only access in preparation for the full implementation of the initiative in January 2018.

Update on training pharmacy support personnel

The pharmacist’s assistants’ qualifications will come to an end on 30 June 2018. Council approved two new qualifications for pharmacy support personnel at its July 2017 meeting.

Learners enrolling for these qualifications will be trained as generalists.

2016 Annual Financial Statements and fees payable to Council

Council is pleased to release the audited financial statements for the year 2016. While on the topic of finances, Council reminds the profession that the June and July fees for the selected pharmacy categories are now payable.

Keeping up to date with legislation

Council has resolved to regularly inform members of new healthcare legislation changes relevant to the profession. Commencing with this edition, e-Pharmaciae will, from now on, disseminate all the new Board Notices, healthcare legislation and policies published in the Government Gazette.

Committee of formal inquiry finds pharmacists and pharmacy support personnel guilty

In terms of the Regulations relating to the conduct of inquiries held in terms of Chapter V of the Pharmacy Act, 53 of 1974, and in particular Regulation 26, respondents who have been found guilty by a Committee of Formal Inquiry (CFI) shall have their names, together with the summary of the charges and the penalty imposed by the CFI, published in a Council Report.

Networking opportunities at SAAHIP, Dis-chem and PSSA conferences

It is not often that pharmacists have a chance to personally meet and engage with Council staff members. Council recently hosted exhibtions at three grand conferences, which offered wonderful networking opportunities. The team in charge were kept extremely busy interacting with the delegates, many of them members of the pharmacy profession, and handled numerous queries with friendly aplomb – they were a living embodiment of their motto, a team makes the dream work!!

Recently launched in South Africa – IMMUENZA for immune support

Paid Advertorial – Winter is here and the relationship between stress and decreased immune function is well known. Stress can increase our chances of developing the common cold and upper respiratory infections. The solution is to counteract this negative effect of stress on our immune system (1) and a solution is now available.

Appointments, promotions and resignations

Council is pleased to introduce the new members of staff and extends them a warm welcome. Regrettably, Council bade farewell to fellow colleague Ms Daphney Fafudi.

List of Approved Providers and Courses

* This is not the latest version of this list.
– Please see – List of Approved Providers and Courses – Dec 2018

List of Registered Assessors

This is not the latest version of this list.