Message from the Registrar
Mr Vincent Tlala
As we present e-Pharmaciae Volume 11, Issue 2, the newly appointed 25-member Council embarked on the first year of its five-year term. In this edition, the Registrar/CEO of the South African Pharmacy Council reflects on key milestones achieved during the year and addresses noteworthy operational matters.
Dear Colleagues,
As we approach the end of 2024, I am reminded of the incredible strides we have made this year in advancing the South African pharmacy profession. Together, we have fostered growth, innovation, and collaboration to bring us closer to our vision of providing accessible, high-quality pharmaceutical services to all South Africans.
In this issue, we share updates on Council decisions and operations since the previous edition, along with an overview of recent legal changes impacting the practice of pharmacy. Featured articles include discussions on Codeine Misuse and Abuse under the Codeine Care Initiative and the issue of Perverse Incentives.
Key Highlights
Publication of Mid-Level Worker Regulation Amendments
We are thrilled to announce the publication of the amendments to the Mid-Level Worker Regulations for Practice and Registration on 19 April 2024, followed by the amendment of the Education Regulations on 7 June 2024. These milestone regulatory updates pave the way for an exciting new career path envisioned for Pharmacy Support Personnel. More details on these developments will be shared soon.
FIP World Congress 2024 and engagements
A key highlight of the year was SAPC’s participation in the 82nd International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) World Congress, held in Cape Town from 1–4 September. This historic event attracted 3,365 delegates from 97 countries. Of these, an impressive 1,845 were South African pharmacy professionals some sponsored by our partners at the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA), making it the second-largest Congress in FIP’s history.
The Congress also highlighted the significant contributions of African pharmacy professionals, with 197 South African abstracts submitted – a testament to the expertise and innovation within our sector. SAPC hosted six local interest sessions, facilitating rich exchanges of knowledge and best practices.
Additionally, we were privileged to welcome delegations from the Association of Mongolian Pharmacy Professionals, the Ghanaian Pharmacy Council and the Delegation Visit from Ministry of Health and Social Services of the Republic of Namibia. These engagements underscored the importance of global collaboration as we collectively navigate an evolving healthcare landscape.
Pharmacy Month 2024
September was also a significant month as we celebrated Pharmacy Month under the theme “Let’s Talk About Vaccines.” This campaign sparked crucial conversations about vaccine awareness and emphasised the vital role pharmacists play in public health advocacy. The National Department of Health, together with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC), Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA) and Independent Community Pharmacy Association (ICPA) utilised again this unique opportunity to promote the pharmacy profession, bringing together pharmacists from all sectors to communicate to the public the value that the profession brings in providing quality healthcare.
Regulatory Updates
To ensure our profession remains adaptive to South Africa’s changing healthcare needs, SAPC implemented several key regulatory amendments in 2024:
- Practice of Pharmacy: Enhanced services and fee structures.
- Registration of Persons and Maintenance of Registers: Simplified registration processes to promote inclusivity.
- Education and Training: Updated standards to address modern healthcare challenges.
You can review these amendments via the following links:
- Practice of Pharmacy Amendment (2024)
- Registration of Persons Amendment (2024)
- Education Amendments (2024)
We have also published proposed Specialist Regulations (2024), which introduce frameworks for recognising specialisations within pharmacy practice. Your feedback on these proposed regulations is essential. Please review the document and share your input as outlined in the notice.
International Collaboration
On an international front, I was honoured to present a guest lecture at the III Brazilian Federal Council of Pharmacy. Speaking on “The Future of Pharmacies: Navigating Online Platforms, Patient Care, and Regulatory Challenges in South Africa,” I had the opportunity to share our country’s experiences and gain valuable insights from our Brazilian counterparts.
Conclusion
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to every pharmacy professional, stakeholder, and partner who contributed to the achievements of 2024. Your dedication ensures that we uphold and advance the standards of pharmacy practice, making a meaningful impact on the lives of patients and communities across South Africa. All persons practising their calling in pharmacy should always show the highest amount of care and love to the patients and caregivers we serve. May you continue to dispense love, peace and generosity to our people in all the spheres of the pharmacy profession.
As we look to 2025, I am confident that together we will build on this year’s successes to further strengthen our profession and its contribution to excellent pharmaceutical services.
Wishing you and your family a peaceful and safe festive season.
Mr Vincent Tlala
Registrar/CEO
South African Pharmacy Council