UNDERSTANDING THE RESTORATION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCESS

FOR PHARMACISTS​

Been removed from the register of pharmacists for a period longer than 12 months? If you have been removed from the register for 13 months or more, paying the restoration and annual fees is not sufficient for you to be restored to the register. Depending on your period of inactivity, you may, amongst others, be required to work under the direct supervision of a pharmacist for a certain period and pass the pre-registration examination before your name is restored to the register of pharmacists.

In terms of the Pharmacy Act, 53 of 1974, the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) is responsible for the registration of pharmacy professionals as well as for keeping the registers of such persons. To safeguard the public, registration with the SAPC is a prerequisite to practising pharmacy. It is a criminal offence to practise Pharmacy without registering with the SAPC.

While pharmacists may become inactive due to various reasons, some voluntary, others involuntary, the restoration requirements are similar. In terms of the Restoration requirements and process for pharmacists who have been removed from the register (Board Notice 80 of 2022) published in terms of Section 23 of the Pharmacy Act and Regulations 21 and 22 of the Regulations relating to the registration of persons and the maintenance of registers (GNR.1160 of 20 November 2000), pharmacists who have been deregistered/inactive for more than 12 months (i.e., from 13 months and more) are subject to certain requirements to ascertain their competence to still practise Pharmacy.

Requirements for pharmacists removed or inactive from the register for 13 months to 36 months

Pharmacists in this category are required to first comply with the requirements of Regulation 22 of the Regulations relating to the registration of persons and the maintenance of registers, which includes: submitting the applicable application for restoration form, and paying the restoration fee, the required annual fee for the year of registration and any other outstanding fees.

The Restoration requirements and process for pharmacists who have been removed from the register (Board Notice 80 of 2022) further makes the following requirements for persons removed from the register for periods exceeding one year but not exceeding three years:

  • Make a submission of the following documents with their application for restoration: A fitness to practise declaration, comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV), police clearance certificate issued by the South African Police Service, and a personal development plan showing the identified additional education, training and experience to be undertaken in order to meet any gaps in knowledge and skills;
  • Perform 40 hours of practice in a community or institutional pharmacy (that is approved for training or Grade A pharmacy), under the direct personal supervision of a pharmacist, within three months of restoration. The supervising pharmacist ought to submit a progress report; and
  • Submit six (6) continuing professional development (CPD) entries.

Requirements for pharmacists removed or inactive from the register for 37 months to 60 months

Pharmacists who were inactive for a period between 37 months and five years (i.e. 60 months) are expected to meet the requirements applicable to those who were removed from the register for up to 36 months as indicated above, with the following variances:

  • Their CPD entries will be assessed for competence, and they must be found to have been competent in at least four (4) out of the six (6) submitted CPD entries; and
  • They ought to complete 200 practice hours under the direct supervision of a pharmacist, in a community or institutional pharmacy (that is approved for training or Grade A pharmacy). The supervising pharmacist should also submit a progress report.

Requirements for pharmacists removed or inactive from the register for more than 60 months

Pharmacists who were inactive for a period of more than five years (i.e. 60 months) are expected to meet the requirements applicable to those who were removed from the register for up to 36 months as indicated above, with the following variances:

  • Their six (6) CPD entries will be assessed for competence, and they must be found to have been competent in all the six (6) submitted CPD entries;
  • They ought to complete 400 practice hours under the direct supervision of a pharmacist, in a community or institutional pharmacy (that is approved for training or Grade A pharmacy). The supervising pharmacist should also submit a progress report; and
  • They have to write and pass the Pre-registration Examination.

Pharmacists who were removed or inactive from the register AND were outside South Africa

Persons who stayed outside South Africa for any period during their deregistration are also required to submit the following:

  • Police clearance certificates for each of the countries they stayed in; and
  • If they were practising Pharmacy in such foreign country(ies), they also need to provide a certificate of good standing from the country where they were practising.

We urge the profession to familiarise themselves with these requirements, so as to make informed choices concerning their voluntary or involuntary removal from the register and to ensure a smooth restoration process where removal had occurred.

For further details concerning restoration requirements and the process to be followed by pharmacists who were either voluntarily or involuntarily removed from the register may be found within Board Notice 80 of 2022 (The restoration requirements and process for pharmacists who have been removed from the register) and Board Notice 277 of 2022 (Correction Notice: The restoration requirements and process for pharmacists who have been removed from the register), which aligns the restoration CPD requirements to the CPD Regulations. All these documents may be accessed on the SAPC website at https://www.sapc.za.org/Legislation_Notices

Share this article