The first meeting of the Council collective constituted for the 2024-2028 term of office was held on 25 January 2024. A comprehensive document which outlines in minute details, the strategic plan of Council 2024 to 2028 as developed by Council during its Strategic meeting of January 2024, is currently being finalised, for submission to the National Department of Health after which, it will be made available to the entire profession.

The 2024-2028 Council Strategic Plan, anchored on the vision “Accessible quality pharmaceutical services for all”, charts a programme of action that seeks to ensure that pharmaceutical services are available to all persons in the country, irrespective of socioeconomic status and geographical location. The plan also seeks to prepare the profession at large for the primary healthcare services required of pharmacies during the universal healthcare coverage era – which is clearly upon us.

The first Council meeting also saw the constitution of committees in terms of Section 4(o) of the Pharmacy Act, 53 of 1974. The twelve (12) committees appointed by Council will be responsible for steering the various areas of Council’s legislative mandate and certain administrative areas necessary for the successful implementation of the strategic plan and the fulfillment of Council’s mandate.

Concerns raised concerning the publication of the draft Criteria to accredit a generic short course for a pharmacist who wishes to apply for registration as a Responsible Pharmacist on 24 November 2023, were considered by Council. To allow the profession to thoroughly express themselves and make any proposals regarding the criteria document for Council’s consideration, the comment was extended to 2 March 2024 – this decision was announced by the Office of the Registrar at the beginning of February 2024. All comments will be taken into consideration and the profession will be kept abreast of all developments concerning this matter.

As the profession is aware, the Pharmacist-Initiated Management of Antiretroviral Therapy (PIMART) court challenge is still ongoing, with the matter now being at the Supreme Court of Appeal. We hope that we will be able to close this matter before the end of 2024, as further delays sorely disadvantage unreached, undetected and untreated persons living with HIV/Aids, as well as their families and caregivers.

We will continue to engage the profession consistently and meaningfully throughout this term of office. Accordingly, in September this year, Council will be hosting a local interest programme at the 2024 FIP World Congress in Cape Town. While the programme is aimed at all delegates to the World Congress, we believe that it will also serve to empower pharmacy professionals practising in South Africa – especially since COVID-19 prevented us to host the National Pharmacy Conference in the past few years. Further engagements, both virtual and in-person, are planned for the current term of office.

We will always endeavour to ensure that Council is a modern Regulator at all times.

Mr Mogologolo Phasha
President
South African Pharmacy Council