The National Department of Health, together with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC), Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA) and Independent Community Pharmacy Association (ICPA) is proud to announce the theme for Pharmacy Month, held during September 2021: “Think Pharmacy – Quality Healthcare for All”. Pharmacy Month is a unique opportunity to market the pharmacy profession, bringing together pharmacists from all sectors to communicate to the public the value that the profession brings in providing quality healthcare.

The strategic focus of the campaign’s theme is to educate the public on the role of pharmacists in delivering primary healthcare services to the community as a healthcare professional that is very accessible. The theme is aligned with the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill which speaks to addressing promotive and preventative health. This will assist in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 3 of “Good Health and Well-Being”.

This year’s theme will include the following sub-themes:

• Your pharmacist is accessible;
• Your pharmacist can provide medicine and information about your health;
• Your pharmacist is part of a healthcare team that works to look after you;
• Your pharmacist can offer support and care for you and your family;
• Your pharmacist can provide advice on healthy living;
• Your pharmacist can provide advice on immunisation and family planning services;
• Your pharmacist can help you get tested; and
• Your pharmacist can provide help with self-care and first aid.

The following hashtags will be used in the social media campaign to introduce the topic:

• “thinkpharmacyfirst”;
• “#knowyourpharmacist”;
• “#thankyourpharmacist” and
• “know your numbers”.

The public is encouraged to share their stories using these tag lines. Pharmacists are invited to send short write-ups and images of Pharmacy Month activities to Elmari.Venter@sapc.za.org.

Pharmacists are encouraged to disseminate material and educate the public on the role of pharmacists in primary healthcare services. The pharmacy profession is urged to use Pharmacy Month to promote the role of the pharmacist in the community, and visibly demonstrate what the profession can do in the healthcare sector.

PHARMACY MONTH 2021 - THINK PHARMACY - QUALITY HEALTHCARE FOR ALL