OUTLINE OF THE COURSE

South Africa currently has nine pharmacy schools producing a limited number of pharmacists. The
medicine supply is key to the effective delivery of healthcare. Consequently, it is important to
manage pharmacy human resources are effectively and efficiently managed to meet the healthcare
needs of this country.

There is an urgent need to increase pharmacy human resources and following a global trend,
pharmacy support personnel can fill that workforce gap. The South African Pharmacy Council must
ensure that these Pharmacy Support Personnel (PSP) are suitable for:

• The National Health Insurance.
• The re-engineering of primary healthcare services and
• For facilitating the State President's initiative, Operation PHAKISA for the ideal clinic realisation.

The need to increase the productivity and responsibilities of the PSPs especially in areas around
medicine supply chain and dispensing became apparent with the thrust to release the pharmacist to
focus more on patient care. The evolution of a more patient-centric role for the pharmacist is a
global phenomenon and the PSP must support this change.

DURATION OF THE COURSE

The Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic) is structured to be completed within a period of 6 months. Learners are, however, permitted a maximum of 12 months to complete the course in accordance with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) regulations.

COURSE DETAILS

The Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic) is offered as a hybrid programme, combining online distance learning with in-person training.

The course is structured around three core components:

• Knowledge Component (KC)
• Practical Skills Component (PC)
• Work Experience Component (WC)

The Knowledge Component includes pre-recorded learning material that allows learners to study independently, supported by live online sessions facilitated by qualified instructors.

Summative assessments (examinations) are conducted in person or Online at designated Training Laboratories (TBA).

The Practical Skills Component is delivered through in-person training at the selected Training Laboratory or online.

The Work Experience Component consists of structured workplace hours that must be completed at an approved pharmacist, under the supervision of an approved tutor or preceptor.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) certified by Umalusi
• Mathematics (not Mathematical Literacy) at NQF Level 4 or a recognised equivalent, with a minimum pass rate of 30%
• One Natural Science subject (Life Sciences or Physical Sciences) at NQF Level 4 or a recognised equivalent, with a minimum pass rate of 30%
• Learners must be able to read, write, and communicate effectively in English and demonstrate basic computer literacy
• A mature-age entry option is available for applicants 45 years and older. For more information, please email info@thecannabisinstitute.co.za
• Foreign applicants are kindly requested to contact info@thecannabisinstitute.co.za for further guidance

PURPOSE

The purpose of this part-qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic). This qualification is the first step in becoming a Pharmacy Technician. A Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic) performs a range of assistive tasks in the various categories of pharmacy.

Learners who acquire this skills programme will be able to:

• Apply basic scientific knowledge to provide technical support in delivering pharmaceutical
  services.

• Provide technical support for the receiving, storing, picking, packing and distributing orders. To
  perform stock counts and participate in stock-taking in compliance with Good Wholesaling and
  Distribution Practice (GWDP) and Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) requirements.

• Provide technical support for the manufacture, packaging and re-packaging of non-sterile
  medicines and scheduled substances in compliance with Good Manufacturing Process (GMP)
  guidelines under the supervision of a Pharmacist.

• Provide technical support for the compounding, manipulation and preparation of non-sterile
  medicines and scheduled substances (extemporaneous compounding) in compliance with standards
  as described in the GPP rules and GMP guidelines under the supervision of a Pharmacist.

QUALIFICATION RULES 

This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge and Practical Skill Modules:

Knowledge Modules:

• 321301000-KM-01, Introduction to the Pharmaceutical Environment, Level 4, 10 Credits.
• 321301000-KM-02, Stock Distribution and Control, Level 4, 4 Credits.
• 321301000-KM-05, Non-sterile Medicine Manufacture, Level 4, 6 Credits.
• 321301000-KM-08, Compounding of Non-sterile Extemporaneous Preparations, Level 4, 3 Credits.
• 321301000-KM-15, General Housekeeping, Level 4, 2 Credits.

The total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 25.

Practical Skill Modules:

• 321301000-PM-01, Distribute and Control Stock as per Current Legislation, Level 4, 4 Credits.
• 321301000-PM-04, Manufacture Non-sterile medicines, Level 4, 6 Credits.
• 321301000-PM-07, Compound Non-sterile Extemporaneous Preparations, Level 4, 5 Credits.
• 321301000-PM-12, Perform General Housekeeping and Administrative Tasks in the Pharmacy, Level 4, 2 Credits.
• 321301000-PM-18, Operate Computers and Computer Software, Level 4, 4 Credits.

The total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 21.

Work Experience Modules:

• 321301000-WM-01, Processes to Distribute and Control Stock as per Legislation, Level 4, 5 Credits.
• 321301000-WM-04, Processes to Manufacture Non- sterile Medicines, Level 4, 4 Credits.
• 321301000-WM-07, Processes to Compound Non-sterile Extemporaneous Preparations, Level 4, 5 Credits.
• 321301000-WM-12, Processes to Perform General Housekeeping and Administrative Tasks in the Pharmacy, Level 4, 2 Credits.

The total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 16.