There are two CPD cycles that a pharmacist may choose to use when submitting their CPD entries; there is the four-step cycle beginning with a reflection followed by planning, implementation, and evaluation. The second cycle is the two-step cycle which includes only the implementation and evaluation steps. To ensure that submissions are not rushed, delayed, or not thoroughly completed, pharmacists are encouraged to submit at least one (1) CPD entry bi-monthly as this will lessen the load towards the end of the year. This is also to avoid pharmacists feeling pressured and failing to fully comply or attempting to make manual submissions, which are not acceptable, at the last minute.

The purpose of CPD is to develop pharmacists both professionally and personally. Therefore, a good CPD submission reflects a pharmacist who has described what knowledge they had acquired after participating in the activities related to their scope of practice, and how they have applied or intend to apply that knowledge in the future.

This pharmacist will also display an understanding of where they need to improve as a pharmacist and how they intend to do so using the appropriate learning method.
It is also imperative to note that while pharmacists are obligated to choose activities that are relevant to their scope of practice, this does not hinder them from also adding activities that may develop them in their capacity as this will ultimately improve them in their professional capacity. It must be emphasised that CPD is a cyclic process meaning that there is no definite beginning or end.