A Guide to the Teach-Out Period for Pharmacist’s Assistants in South Africa

Navigating the Transition in Pharmacy Education

The South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of pharmacy professionals in the country. The SAPC’s regulation of pharmacy education is a vital component of ensuring that South African pharmacy professionals are adequately trained and equipped to serve the public.

As outlined in the Pharmacy Act, 53 of 1974, one of the key objectives of the SAPC is to establish, develop, maintain, and control universally accepted standards of pharmaceutical education and training. This ensures that pharmacy professionals are equipped with the necessary competencies to practice safely and effectively in South Africa.

To achieve this, the SAPC is responsible for accrediting pharmacy education providers, developing relevant qualifications, and ensuring that training programs meet rigorous quality standards. This allows for the training of competent professionals who can register and practice as Pharmacist’s Assistants, among other roles.

As part of its ongoing efforts to regulate the pharmacy profession, the SAPC has announced the phase-out of two important qualifications for Pharmacist’s Assistants: the National Certificate: Pharmacist Assistance (Basic) and the Further Education and Training Certificate: Pharmacist Assistance (Post-Basic). These qualifications have been registered under the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), and their registration officially ended on 30 June 2023. The last date for new enrolments into these programs was 30 June 2024, with a teach-out period for current learners extending until 30 June 2027.

Understanding the Teach-Out Period

The teach-out period allows learners already enrolled in these qualifications the opportunity to complete their studies and gain the necessary practical experience required for registration. However, there are critical changes and guidelines that learners and Skills Development Providers (SDPs) must understand to navigate this transition effectively.

Key Guidelines for Pharmacist’s Assistants During the Teach-Out Period

  1. Changes in Provider and Tutor
    • Learners already registered as Pharmacist’s Assistant (Learner Basic or Learner Post-Basic) may change their training providers or tutors during the teach-out period, if they follow the correct procedures and meet the SAPC’s standards.
    • Learners are also allowed to extend their contracts with their current provider, if the extension does not exceed the end of the teach-out period (30 June 2027).
  2. No Sector Changes During Teach-Out
    • While learners can change providers, premises or tutors, they are not permitted to enrol in any of the unit standards of the National Certificate: Pharmacist Assistance (Basic) and the Further Education and Training Certificate: Pharmacist Assistance (Post-Basic) that are no longer registered with SAQA hence unable to change sectors for those sectors that require completion of additional unit standards.
  3. Restoration of Learners to the Register
    • Learners who were previously enrolled with an approved SDP but were removed from the register may apply for restoration. To restore their status, they must complete an online application, ensure their training facility is approved by the SAPC, and have their tutor approved. They will also need to pay the applicable restoration fee and continue paying the annual fees during the teach-out period.
    • Learners will not be able to apply for restoration close to the end of the teach-out period as this might not provide enough time to complete the necessary training.
  4. Provider Responsibility
    • SDPs are tasked with ensuring that learners who are restored to the register or continue their training during the teach-out period can meet all the requirements to complete their qualification on time. Providers must assess whether the remaining training period will allow learners to finish their in-service training and academic components before the deadline.
    • SDPs should ensure that learners enrolled with them are continuously registered with the SAPC during the teach-out period and that they meet all regulatory requirements
  5. After the Teach-Out Period
    • Once the teach-out period concludes on 30 June 2027, there will be no further opportunity for restoration or sector changes. Learners who have not completed their qualifications by this time will need to enrol in the new qualifications (Occupational Certificates: Pharmacist’s Assistant Basic and Post-Basic).

The Importance of Planning Ahead

For learners who are currently enrolled, the teach-out period offers a final opportunity to complete their training under the existing system. However, this window is limited, and those who fail to meet the deadlines will face the challenge of transitioning to new qualifications. Pharmacist’s Assistants (Learner Basic) who fail to complete their training by the deadline will not be able to complete their qualification and will be required to enrol afresh under the new qualification. Pharmacist’s Assistants (Learner Post-Basic) will be required to write the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) exam and enrol afresh as Learner Post-Basics under the new Occupational Certificate.

For Skills Development Providers (SDPs), the responsibility is clear: they must ensure that learners have the necessary support to complete their training and fulfil all requirements before the conclusion of the teach-out period. This involves close collaboration with the SAPC, ensuring that all facilities and tutors are properly accredited, and maintaining clear communication with learners about deadlines and procedures.

While the end of the National Certificate and Further Education and Training Certificate for Pharmacist Assistants marks the end of an era, the guidelines provided during the teach-out period offer learners the chance to complete their qualifications with minimal disruption.

For those learners still in training, it is critical to stay informed about the dates and procedures outlined by the SAPC. As the industry evolves, the commitment to maintaining high standards of pharmaceutical education remains unwavering, ensuring that future Pharmacist’s Assistants continue to meet the needs of South African healthcare.

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