Primary Care Drug Therapy (PCDT)

Pharmacists with a BPharm degree may dispense Schedule 1 and 2 medicines without a prescription. The PCDT (Pharmacotherapy 1, Pharmacotherapy 2, and Applied Pharmacotherapy) course is intended to expand the scope of practice of pharmacists to allow them to diagnose and treat certain primary health care conditions in accordance with Standard Treatment Guidelines. After completion of the PCDT course pharmacists will be able to record the supplementary training at the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) and apply for a section 22(a)15 permit from the National Department of Health (NDoH). Pharmacists who are in possession of a valid permit may diagnose and treat certain conditions (as stipulated in the annexure that forms part of the permit).

Pharmacotherapy 1

The Pharmacotherapy 1 short course covers the theoretical aspects of patient history taking, patient interviewing, screening and monitoring services as well as the theory of physical patient examinations on a primary health care level in the pharmacy. 
Duration: 6 months

Pharmacotherapy 2

The Pharmacotherapy 2 short course covers focus on various diseases and conditions on a primary health care level. 
Duration: 6 months

Applied Pharmacotherapy

The Applied Pharmacotherapy short course concentrates on the relevant and admissible physical patient examinations, diagnoses and treatment of conditions on a primary health care level.
Duration: 12 months

Quality Assurance in the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Industry

This short course is intended to provide personnel working in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry with the basic knowledge and principles which are required in the industry as well as an understanding of how to implement these principles to ensure compliance with the latest quality and regulatory standards.  Concepts such as Quality Assurance principles, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), requirements for sampling, analytical testing and stability testing as well as the principles regarding quality risk management (QRM) are included in this course.
 

Duration: 3 months

Antibiotic Stewardship Foundations

The rationale of this course is to provide participants with the essential knowledge and clinical skills that are needed to be a hospital ward pharmacist. To provide an overview of the basic principles of antimicrobial stewardship and its implementation and equip participants with the knowledge to implement an antibiotic stewardship programme in their clinical environment.

Duration: 6 months