Council Decisions (July & October 2023)

This article presents a summary of selected matters discussed and decisions taken by the South African Pharmacy Council (hereafter “Council”) during its meetings held on 26 and 28 July and 18/19 October 2023. Other matters on the operations of the Office of the Registrar and Council are covered in the articles featured in this issue of the Pharmaciae.

Removal of Registration/Recording of Pharmacies

In terms of Regulation 72 of the Regulations relating to registration of persons and maintenance of registers, Council may direct the Registrar to remove from the register of pharmacies any pharmacy which does not comply with any of the conditions of registration of such pharmacy. At its meeting in July 2023, it was decided that twenty-eight (28) of these pharmacies would be removed from the register, while at its October 2023 meeting, a further thirteen (13) pharmacies would be removed, based on the Guidelines for Removal of Pharmacy Registration/Recording as a Result of Non-Compliance with Good Pharmacy Practice and Other Pharmacy Legislation, as published in Board Notice 63 of 2020.

Responsible Pharmacists and Pharmacy Owners are reminded to ensure that their pharmacies comply with all relevant legislation and that the pharmacy account with Council is up to date to avoid removal of the recording/registration of their pharmacy.

Applicants with a Qualification Obtained Outside of South Africa

The Office of the Registrar receives applications from candidates with foreign qualifications who wish to be registered with Council as pharmacists and pharmacy support personnel. At its July 2023 meeting, Council resolved to register several such candidates as Pharmacist Interns after successfully completing the Professional Examinations, subject to completion of a minimum of twelve (12) months’ internship and the pre-registration evaluation. At its October 2023 meeting, subject to favourable confirmation of a SAQA verification certificate, Council resolved similarly for a candidate whose qualification was issued by the University of Zimbabwe.

Student Disciplinary Action Taken by Higher Education Institutions

Council received a query from one of the Higher Education Institutions regarding what information is to be shared with Council when disciplinary proceedings are instituted against students registered in the Bachelor of Pharmacy programme. It was noted that in the case of a pharmacy student’s registration being cancelled or suspended by a university, this must be reported to Council by the university, and the student will then be de-registered in terms of Regulation 6. If a pharmacy student is found guilty of unprofessional conduct by a university, this too must be reported to Council together with the report of the disciplinary hearing, and the student will be disciplined in terms of Chapter V of the Pharmacy Act, 53 of 1974.

Change of Pharmacy Address Without Relocation

In terms of Regulation 1(b)(iii) of the Regulations relating to information to be furnished to the Registrar and Regulation 107(2)(g) of the Regulations relating to the registration of persons and maintenance of registers, an owner of a pharmacy must notify the Registrar of the change of address of the pharmacy within 30 days of such change. Council has received submissions from stakeholders stating that when politicians and landlords change street names, town names, municipalities, and shop numbers within a centre, the change is not within the power of the pharmacy owner, and requesting that Council waive the fee for processing an application for a change of address without relocation.

In October 2023, Council resolved that where an owner does not require the recording certificates, a letter confirming the change of address without relocation will be issued at no cost. However, where an owner requires the issuing of the three certificates, the recording fee will be levied.

Accreditation of Short Courses

The Office of the Registrar received applications for the accreditation/approval of courses titled “Registration of Biological and Orthodox Medicine” from Quad Pharma, and “Mental health in a pandemic, adult vaccinations, advances in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, urinary tract infections and common ear problems” from Alpha Pharm. At its meeting in October 2023, Council resolved that both courses be accepted and approved.