Training of Pharmacists in South Africa

Training of Pharmacists in South Africa

Training of pharmacists in the Republic of South Africa is provided by nine pharmacy schools that have been approved by the South African Pharmacy Council. A Matriculation Exemption Certificate is a prerequisite for admission to the degree course. Individual institutions may set other admission requirements and prospective applicants are advised to contact the institution of their choice with regard to the student selection procedure followed by the individual institution.

This training consists of four years of full-time study which leads to the awarding of a BPharm degree, followed by a twelve month pre-registration practical training period. The practical training year is of extreme importance for the pharmacy graduate. It is an opportunity for the pharmacist intern to gain practical experience and knowledge in the practice setting. This practical training period may be carried out in a community pharmacy, institutional pharmacy, manufacturing pharmacy or at a provider of a qualification in pharmacy approved by Council for such training.

After successful completion of the year of practical training, as well as a pre-registration evaluation, the intern is registered as a pharmacist, and must do one year of pharmacuetical community service in a public sector facility before he/she can practise independently as a pharmacist.

A list of institutions that offer a Bachelor of Pharmacy qualification is included below, and all inquiries regarding under-graduate and post-graduate studies should be addressed directly to these institutions.