How to Become A Pharmacist In South Africa

A pharmacist, also known as a chemist or a druggist, is a health professional who specializes in the right way to compound, use, store, preserve, and provide medications. The pharmacist provides pharmaceutical care to patients, as well as basic primary health care services.

What does a pharmacist do?

About pharmacists

Pharmacists are experts in medicines who can help you with minor health concerns. As qualified healthcare professionals, they can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains.

How would you describe a pharmacist?

Pharmacists are healthcare professionals responsible for supplying medicines in the most economical and effective way possible. It is an applied medical science. Pharmacists constantly monitor the quality, safety and the use of medicines, requiring a high level of involvement and interaction with patients.

Do pharmacists produce drugs?

Pharmacists monitor the health and progress of patients to ensure the safe and effective use of medication. Pharmacists may practice compounding; however, many medicines are now produced by pharmaceutical companies in a standard dosage and drug delivery form.

Below is How to become a Pharmacist in South Africa

If you are reliable, organized and have an interest in medicine, choosing a career as a pharmacist might be a great option for you.

From taking a look at the average pharmacist salary to courses and training, the Job Mail team delves a little deeper into what it takes to become a pharmacist in South Africa. If you are already qualified, be sure to browse through the pharmacist jobs advertised on Job Mail

With great pharmacy courses, training and qualification programmes available in South Africa, there are a number of study opportunities to choose from. To gain entrance to training courses and programmes, subjects that are required include Mathematics and Computer Literacy.

There are educational institutes across South Africa where you can complete a pharmacy course. Once you are qualified you can search for relevant vacancies. From reading prescriptions to offering health advice, there are plenty of responsibilities that come with this role.

The Job Description of a Pharmacist

Pharmacists are responsible for preparing and dispensing medicine to individuals. They connect pharmaceutical companies to doctors. According to PayScale the average annual pharmacist salary is R396 790. Pharmacy and people management training are associated with higher pay for this role. Hospital pharmacy capabilities are also associated with bigger financial rewards.

A pharmacist is responsible for understanding prescriptions that have been written by a medical practitioner. They read the prescription and ensure that the medicine is dispensed accurately according to the doctor’s specifications. They review the combination of medicines that they are dispensing to an individual to make sure that it is safe.

The duties of these professionals include providing the public with information that promotes wellbeing. Employees in this role suggest generic options when necessary to make medicine more affordable for their customers. They are required to oversee staff

Professionals in these roles order stock and make sure that there is sufficient medicine available to dispense prescriptions. They communicate with medical representatives to gain information about the latest products on the market.

An important part of this role is record keeping. A Pharmacist is required to ensure that they carry out their duties while maintaining legal compliance.

Choosing a Pharmacy Course and Training Programme

To qualify as a pharmacist you must complete a Bachelor of Pharmacy. It is essential that the course is accredited by the South African Pharmacy Council. Typically you will complete a 4 year qualification as well as 1 year of practical training and a community service component.

Relevant qualifications are offered at Rhodes University and the Tshwane University of Technology. Other options include the Northwest University and the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal.

While the entrance requirements vary between different educational institutions typical requirements include a National Senior Certificate with English, Mathematics, Physical Science and Life Sciences. Computer Literacy is recommended if you want to enrol for a pharmacy course.

This profession is regulated by the South African Pharmacy Council. If becoming a pharmacist is not the right career choice for you, another option is to become a pharmacy assistant.

Personnel Skills and Traits of Pharmacists

If you are passionate about the medical profession, becoming a pharmacist may be the right career for you. An interest in chemistry is essential for this role. To succeed in this medical career, you will need to care about the health of other people.

Good interpersonal and communication skills are beneficial. Pharmacists need to be trustworthy and dependable. They must be able to maintain a professional and friendly demeanour as well as maintain the confidentiality of their clients.

Organisational and computer literacy skills are essential. Analytical skills are required for this role. These skills are required to manage processes. Attention-to-detail and a focus on quality are vital for this role.

Work Environment

A pharmacist is typically required to work 37.5 to 48 hours in a week. Weekend work is often necessary. Some employers may require you be on-call for after hour emergencies. Full-time and part-time positions are available. Another option is to start your own pharmacy and become self-employed.

Pharmacists usually work in a pleasant environment but they spend long hours on their feet. Their work environment includes a wide range of people who they need to interact with on a daily basis.

Qualified professionals can find employment in four separate areas. The first type of pharmacist jobs can be found at local pharmacies. In this context the pharmacist serves the public by preparing prescriptions from medical practitioners.

They are tasked with reading doctors’ prescriptions precisely, locating the correct medicine and dispensing the specified amount on medication. An important part of this role is checking that the medicines that they dispense to an individual is safe to take.

If you are looking for employment opportunities in this medical field, you can also search for vacancies on cruise ships. Qualified professionals are in demand as this occupation is listed as a scarce skill.

Professionals in this role fulfil similar duties to those carried out in a pharmacy. In this context they work with the ship doctor.

A pharmacist can find relevant positions in laboratories where they are involved in manufacturing medicines. These positions are available at pharmaceutical companies as well as at research laboratories.

Their duties include overseeing the production of medicines as well as developing new medicines. Once they have developed a new medicine they need to test it to make sure it is safe and effective. Another duty associated with this position is report writing. A pharmacist in this field may be tasked with brochure writing as well as marketing tasks.

Becoming a Pharmacist in South Africa: Educational Requirements

As expected, you will need to satisfy certain requirements if you are going to become a pharmacist in South Africa. Every country has specific requirements, so this shouldn’t be surprising. These are the basic educational requirements to be satisfied:

A National Matric Senior Certificate that satisfies the requirements for a degree in B. Pharm. in any university in South Africa.

A National Matric Senior Certificate that satisfies the requirements for a diploma in B. Pharm. in any Technikon in South Africa

Please note that each institution will have its own specific entry requirements. However, there are certain courses that you must take and pass in order to qualify to be a Pharmacy student in South Africa.

The compulsory subjects you must pass are:

Mathematics

Physical Science

The recommended subject for you to pass is:

Biology

After completing your pharmaceutical studies, if you are going to practice in South Africa then you need to register with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC). We will be discussing a little about this body shortly.

There are certain natural skills you should possess if you are going to thrive and become a successful pharmacist. Examine yourself to be sure you possess these skills:

Enjoy working in a team, especially when you don’t have to be the leader.

You should have a flair for business.

You must be drawn to the sciences.

Be accurate and responsible.

Possess professional integrity.

Be healthy and possess stamina.

The South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC

The South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) is a statutory body which oversees the affairs of pharmacists within South Africa. The body does not receive any form of subsidies or grants from the government or any other organization (local or international). It is completely funded by its members, made up of certified pharmacists in South Africa.

Members of this council include:

Pharmacy students

Pharmacy interns

Pharmacists

Specialist pharmacists

Pharmacist’s assistants

Pharmacy owners

Responsible pharmacists

Providers and assessors

The body carries out two duties:

It ensures that all the pharmacists, as well as pharmacist’s assistants registered under the Council, are competent.

Deletes the names of those it sees as unfit to practice.

There are several benefits you enjoy from registering under the SAPC, they include:

You are bestowed a professional status that gives you the right to practice in South Africa.

The professional status accords you public recognition that allows you to get commensurate rewards for your services.

You have proof of how competent you are.

As a member of this body, you are required to pay certain fees annually. These fees cover:

Running of the SAPC.

Administering the profession within the country. This includes maintaining the standards of training and professional practice.

How much money do pharmacists make in South Africa?

Pharmacist Average Salary

The average salary for a Pharmacist in SA is R 504 420 gross per year (R 42 040 gross per month), which is 79% higher than the South Africa’s national average salary. Salary Range: a Pharmacist can expect an average starting salary of R 360 900. The highest salaries can exceed R 984 300.

Are pharmacist in demand in South Africa?

There is actually a big shortage of pharmacists in South Africa. He says there is a big demand for pharmacists, so there is a wide variety of places where one can go and work. “Something else about our profession that I like, is that the more experienced you become, the higher the salary you can demand.”

Which universities offer pharmacy in South Africa?

List of Universities that offer Pharmacy Degrees in South Africa

University of West Cape School of Pharmacy.

University of Witwatersrand Johannesburg.

Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education.

Rhodes University School of Pharmaceuticals.

University of Durban-Westville.

At what age do pharmacists retire?

Pharmacists. Most pharmacists expect to retire early, with only 30% of those surveyed saying they plan to continue working after age 62.

How many hours a day do Pharmacists work?

In 2017, pharmacists worked an average of 35.7 hours per week in total, and worked an average of 5.2 hours per week in non-clinical roles. female pharmacists worked an average of 33.6 hours per week.

Are Pharmacists medical doctors?

Pharmacists are doctors.

However, they are indeed doctors .A doctor of pharmacy degree (Pharm. D.) is required to sit for the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy exams. And passage of said exams is required to work as a pharmacist and dispense medications in the South Africa .

What is a doctor salary in South Africa?

R1,549,507 (ZAR)/yr.

How much do pharmacist intern earn in South Africa?

An entry-level Pharmacy Intern with less than 1 year experience can expect to earn an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of R217,500 based on 15 salaries. An early career Pharmacy Intern with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation of R157,643 based on 14 salaries.

Is pharmacy a good career in South Africa?

If you are passionate about the medical profession, becoming a pharmacist may be the right career for you. An interest in chemistry is essential for this role. To succeed in this medical career, you will need to care about the health of other people. Good interpersonal and communication skills are beneficial.

How much does it cost to study pharmacy in South Africa?

The average cost of a Bachelor of Pharmacy course in South Africa is R52184 for the first year.

How many years is a pharmacy degree in South Africa?

four years

The curriculum extends over four years. After obtaining the Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) degree, an internship of one year (in community, hospital or industry) or two years (academic) ensues. This is followed by a compulsory year of community service in the public hospital sector as a fully-fledged pharmacist.