Archived Articles

Continuing Professional Development is an important element of continued competence of a professional in a rapidly advancing practice environment, such as that which pharmacists operate within. New technologies, therapies and health products are continuously being introduced; and best practice is evolving and everchanging in response to policy, disease burden, new diseases, amongst others. As such, for a pharmacy professional to remain competent and relevant, a mindset that embraces life-long learning is necessary.

The South African Pharmacy Council continuing professional development system is one that emphasises outcome-based learning and does not rely on the accumulation of points as an indicator of learning. As such, it is easy to comply with CPD requirements and the system allows for a cost-free learning process. Learning could occur through short courses, self-study, on-the-job guidance or learning, webinars, journal articles, amongst many other avenues.

The South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) is legislatively mandated to protect the public’s right to quality pharmaceutical care and to uphold the good image of the pharmacy profession. To achieve this end, the Committee of Formal Inquiry investigates alleged misconduct by pharmacy professionals and premises owners, and institutes various penalties on those found guilty – these can range from a fine and/or suspension from practice, or complete deregistration. In terms of the Regulations relating to the conduct of inquiries held in terms of Chapter V of the Pharmacy Act, 53 of 1974, in particular Regulation 26, respondents who have been found guilty by a Committee of Formal Inquiry (CFI) shall have their names, together with the summary of the charges and the penalty imposed by the CFI, published in a Council report.

The current pharmacy support personnel (PSP) qualifications – National Certificate: Pharmacist Assistant (Basic) and Further Education and Training Certificate: Pharmacist Assistant (Post-Basic) – are coming to an end soon. They will be replaced with the Occupational Certificate (Basic and Post-Basic). This article explains the introduction of the Occupational Certificate, enrolment, and the teach-out period of current qualifications.

Pharmacy is a regulated health profession. This means that no person may practice the scope of practice of a registered person (pharmacist or pharmacy support person) unless such person has complied with pre-registration/registration requirements and is duly registered by the South African Pharmacy Council. This article highlights important details and dates for 2022 Pharmacist Interns and Foreign-Qualified Persons (Citizens and non-Citizens) wishing to register as pharmacists in South Africa.

The South African Pharmacy Council will be erecting a digital wall of remembrance, dubbed the South African COVID-19 Pharmacy Wall of Remembrance, in honour of selfless pharmacy professionals who paid the ultimate price in the fight against COVID-19, by serving patients while most of the world chose self-preservation. Loved ones of these colleagues, selfless combatants, and servants of humanity are called upon to submit their names for inclusion on this Wall of Remembrance.

Vaccines save lives, and they provide effective protection against infection from various pathogens. The COVID-19 vaccines currently available in South African have been shown to be effective at minimising the risk of infection, hospitalisation, severe disease, and death. The South African Pharmacy Council calls upon all registered persons and members of the public to vaccinate, to avoid the risks that come with infection and possible death.

Pharmacy Month 2021 was all about the vital role pharmacy plays in the healthcare team. “Think Pharmacy – Quality Healthcare for All” was the theme and in this article, we take a glance at some of the sterling work done by the profession to celebrate this theme.