Prior to the havoc wreaked by the coronavirus-causing SARS-CoV-2 pathogen, the South African Pharmacy Council had planned nationwide engagement, especially on continuing professional development and pharmacist intern preparatory workshops. Most of these had to be replaced by online workshops, tutorials and pre-registration examinations in October 2020 being conducted remotely at the candidate’s place of residence or work, all in the interest of advancing the interests of the pharmacy profession and those that it serves.
COVID-19 found us in jubilation; the journey we travelled in 2019 presented us with a sense of glory, we had hoped to hang on to longer than we have been forced to let go. The 3rd National Pharmacy Conference was a resounding success, with skills and knowledge gains generated by the conference remaining unsurpassed for most of us. We came together as a profession, learned, argued, and constituted widely shared views on matters in pharmacy and health care in general.
Congratulatory remarks are still in order for all the winners in various categories of the 2019 National Pioneer Pharmacy Awards, and the overall winners in the professional and facility categories, Mr Saraaj Adams and the National Bioproducts Institute respectively. View all the winners and long service recognition laureates here.
This first issue of the Pharmaciae is carefully compiled, presenting detailed updates on the work and resolutions of Council, guidance, and awareness of Council’s stance on certain issues.
Pharmacy schools throughout the country are producing graduates at impressive rates, however, the pharmacy job market appears to not be as robust as it was a short while ago. As such we urge pharmacy owners and responsible pharmacists to employ more interns per accredited tutor. This article provides more details.
In conclusion, I express gratitude on behalf of the Council collective and all our patients to our colleagues occupying the frontline in the fight against COVID-19, be they within community and institutional pharmacies, or in production and wholesale facilities ensuring the supply chain is not broken. Indeed, “not all heroes wear capes”.
Enjoy the read.
