Council Decisions
(February, May & July 2024)
As the regulatory body of the pharmacy profession in South Africa, the South African Pharmacy Council takes its responsibilities very seriously. In each edition of the e-Pharmaciae we highlight important decisions made by the Council in the recent past.
This article presents a summary of selected matters discussed and decisions taken by the South African Pharmacy Council (hereafter “Council”) during its meetings held on 14/15 February, 15/16 May and 24/25 July 2024. Other matters on the operations of the Office of the Registrar and Council are covered in the articles featured in this issue of the Pharmaciae.
Council Strategic Plan 2024-2028
At its meeting in May 2024, Council approved the Strategic Plan for the 2024-2028 term of office which was developed in January. The Council Strategic Plan 2024 – 2028 is derived from the mandate of the South African Pharmacy Council which is enshrined in the Pharmacy Act, 53 of 1974 (the Act), and outlined as the objects of Council. The Strategic Plan guides Council in terms of what they need to achieve in the next five years utilising the strength in terms of the existing staff complement, systems and a good partnership with government to improve the health of all South Africans.
Accreditation of Providers to offer Occupational Certificates
In July 2024, Council granted accreditation to the Pharmacy Training and Development Project: Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University to offer the learning programmes on the Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist Assistant (Basic and Post-Basic). This means that along with S Buys, who were approved to offer these courses in 2023, there are now two (2) service providers accredited to offer the new Occupational Certificates for Pharmacist’s Assistants.
Accreditation of short courses
The Office of the Registrar received an application for the accreditation/approval of a course titled “Immunisation and Injection Techniques for Pharmacists” from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. At its meeting in February 2024, Council resolved that this course be accepted and approved.
Applicants with a qualification obtained outside of South Africa
The Office of the Registrar receives applications from candidates with foreign qualifications who wish to be registered with Council as pharmacists and pharmacy support personnel. Applicants are required to submit supporting documents for evaluation by the Pre-registration Committee. Upon approval, applicants who have applied to be registered as pharmacists are required to write a professional examination, prior to their registration as a Pharmacist Intern.
At its meetings in May and July 2024, Council resolved that the candidates listed in the table below be registered as Pharmacist Interns after successfully completing the Professional Examinations. They will also be required to complete a minimum of twelve (12) months’ internship in an institutional or community pharmacy, and they shall be required to complete the pre-registration evaluation successfully prior to registration as pharmacists.

The Office of the Registrar received an application for registration as a Pharmacy Technician from an applicant, whose country of origin is Lesotho, was awarded the Diploma in Pharmacy Technology qualification by the National University of Lesotho on 30 November 2018 and registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the Lesotho Medical, Dental and Pharmacy Council. At the time of consideration, there was no legislation enabling locally or internationally trained Pharmacy Technicians to practice in South Africa. Council resolved that the applicant be allowed to register as a Pharmacist’s Assistant (Learner Post-Basic) and be required to complete a module on Pharmacy Law and Ethics with an accredited provider, successfully complete a minimum of six (6) months in-service training at a facility approved for training under the supervision of an approved tutor and submit a four (4) months’ progress report, and complete the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) for Pharmacist’s Assistants (Post-Basic), before being registered as a Pharmacist’s Assistant (Post-Basic).
Council approved the annual revision of the inspection Questionnaire
Council conducts inspections of pharmacy premises to ensure that the pharmacy profession complies with the Rules relating to good pharmacy practice, which are minimum standards. Inspection questionnaires are developed to measure compliance and are continuously reviewed to ensure alignment with the relevant legislation and current practices.
In February 2024, Council approved the annual revision of the Inspection Questionnaire for community pharmacies. The following sections have been updated:
- Section J – Equipment: Calibration of scales;
- Section R – Thermolabile Medicines: Continuous supply of power; and
- Section T – Written Standard Operating Procedures.
Change of the grace period for CPD
All registered and practicing pharmacists in South Africa are required to submit 6 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) entries annually. The Regulations relating to Continuing Professional Development were published in 2019 and state that the due date for all CPD entries is 31 December each year. Up until now, the Council has granted a grace period of four (4) months, to the end of April the following year, for pharmacists to submit their CPD entries.
In 2023 there was a 3.14% increase in CPD compliance amongst pharmacists, from 87.58% in 2022 to 90.72% in 2023.
The Council, at its May 2024 meeting, decided that the gap between the compliance due date and 30 April was too far apart to be considered a grace period. It has therefore resolved to shorten the grace period from four (4) months to two (2) months, i.e. to 28 February 2025 for the 2024 CPD compliance year.
The reduction of the grace period will reduce the confusion experienced by the profession associated with retrospective communication relating to CPD compliance. It will also foster a positive culture change by compelling the profession to submit CPD entries within the same year.