Message from the President
Mr Mogologolo Phasha
In reviewing 2024, the President of Council, Mr Mogologolo Phasha, reflects that despite a changing landscape, the pharmacy profession of South Africa remains a strong and resilient pillar of healthcare in the country, and he looks forward to advancing the profession and healthcare in South Africa in the year ahead.
Dear Colleagues and Members of the Pharmacy Profession,
As 2024 draws to a close, I reflect on a year of collaboration, resilience, and progress within the pharmacy profession. Your unwavering commitment to improving patient care and contributing to public health is what drives the transformation of healthcare in South Africa.
This year, we warmly welcomed the signing of the second iteration of the Presidential Health Compact by the government and different stakeholders, a significant milestone toward ensuring better health outcomes for all South Africans. Equally, the signing of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into law marked a historic step towards universal health coverage in South Africa.
We also welcome the appointment of Dr Aaron Motsoaledi as the Minister of Health and extend our heartfelt congratulations to Council’s Vice President Mmapaseka Steve Letsike on her appointment as Deputy Minister of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities. These developments highlight a renewed focus on health and social equity.
One of the year’s crowning moments was South Africa hosting the 82nd FIP World Congress in Cape Town, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the pharmacy profession. Due to your support, which we are grateful for, this congress became the second largest in FIP history, drawing over 3,365 pharmacy professionals from 97 countries, with 2,202 delegates from Africa and an incredible 1,845 from South Africa alone. We are proud to have facilitated the registration of 962 South African pharmacy professionals in partnership with the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA), ensuring a robust local presence at this global event.
The proposed annual fee increment for the fees payable to the South African Pharmacy Council for 2025 is aligned with the headline consumer inflation rate for October 2024, which is 2.8%. We are committed to ensuring that these adjustments enable us to maintain the quality and scope of our services while being mindful of the economic pressures faced by the members of the profession.
On 22 November 2024, the Appeal by IPAF against Council in the PIMART case was heard at the Supreme Court of Appeal, with judgment reserved and expected in 2025. PIMART represents a pivotal advancement in South Africa’s fight against HIV and AIDS, empowering specially trained pharmacists to prescribe and manage HIV and TB treatments. However, delays in its implementation continue to disadvantage unreached, undetected, and untreated individuals living with HIV/AIDS, as well as their families and caregivers.
As we conclude the first year of our 2024-2028 term of office, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all Council members for their active engagement and dedication. It has been a year of thoughtful deliberation and progress, laying the groundwork for an impactful term ahead.
The road ahead holds exciting opportunities and challenges. Together, we will continue to strengthen the profession, advocate for equitable healthcare, and advance our shared vision for a healthier South Africa.
In closing, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to each of you, pharmacists, pharmacy support personnel, educators, students, and everyone from the Office of the Registrar for your vital contributions to the profession and the communities we serve. May this festive season bring you well-deserved rest, joy, and inspiration for the year ahead.
Warm regards,
Mr Mogologolo Phasha
President
South African Pharmacy Council