Skills Development Providers

In terms of Chapter 3 of the Pharmacy Act, 53 of 1974, one of the objects of the South African Pharmacy Council (hereafter referred to as Council) is to establish, develop, maintain and control universally acceptable standards of pharmaceutical education and training. Furthermore, in terms of the provisions of Sections 33 and 34 of the Pharmacy Act, Council is required to approve pharmacy education and training that entitles a person to registration in terms of the Act.

Council implements the above objective by developing qualifications, accrediting providers and courses, and quality-assuring the delivery of programmes. In this way, Council can ensure that pharmacy professionals have the desired competencies to practice locally and internationally. The Skills Development Act, 97 of 1998, as amended, defines a Skills Development Provider (SDP) as a provider of an occupational learning programme.

SDPs (hereafter referred to as providers) are at the base of the education and training system in that they are the organisations that engage in teaching and the facilitation of learning. They interact directly with learners, the “clients” whom the education and training system is meant to serve.

The Regulations relating to Education and Training, Practice of Pharmacy, Registration of Persons, and Maintenance of the Register of Pharmacy Technicians have been amended and published on 07 June 2024.

The amendments empower SDPs to offer the following qualifications:

• Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic) (NQF level 4);
• Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Post-Basic) (NQF level 5);
• Occupational Certificate: Pharmacy Technicians (NQF level 6)

The two (2) previously registered qualifications i.e. National Certificate: Pharmacist Assistance and Further Education and Training Certificate: Pharmacist Assistance last registration date was 30 June 2024 with the teach-out period ending on 30 June 2027. These qualifications are going to be replaced by the Occupational Certificate: Pharmacy Technician.