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SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Bachelor of Pharmacy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
72784  Bachelor of Pharmacy 
ORIGINATOR
North West University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National First Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  560  Level 7  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 EXCO 0417/23  2018-07-01  2018-12-31 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2019-12-31   2024-12-31  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
50357  Bachelor of Pharmacy  Level 7  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7  560  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

The purpose of the qualification is to scientifically educate and equip pharmacists with the necessary knowledge, specific skills and applied competencies so as to enable them to make, as a member of the health care team and in accordance with the demands of the day, the needs of society and international standards, an essential contribution towards the promotion of the health of the people of the Republic of South Africa, thus affording learners the opportunity of participating in countinuous personal intellectual and professional development, thereby contributing towards providing the country with adequate numbers of competent pharmacists. However, the programme is intended not only to intellectually develop, equip and build the learner, but to overall form the learner as a person.

This programme is exactly the same as the present B.Pharm. programme offered as an on-campus programme at the North-West University. The only difference is the method of delivery, which is a mixed mode delivery, utilising telematic principles and study centres with dedicated facilitators (of which this University has gained extensive experience) as well as tutoring at the workplace by the responsible pharmacist (community and hospital pharmacies) in conjunction with on-campus academic and administrative support and presentation of the required laboratory practicals in blocks during off-peak periods at the University (similar to practicals currently presented for Unisa students).

Rationale:

South Africa presently has approximately 7700 practising pharmacists of whom only about 1270 are active in the public sector, serving more than 37 million people. Presently, all the pharmacy schools together, and all operating at full capacity, annually produce fewer than 400 pharmacists. In view of these facts, the proposed mixed mode delivery of the well established and highly regarded existing B.Pharm.-programme at the North-West University has a number of important objectives, viz:

  • First and foremost, to provide a vehicle whereby a contribution can be made to increase the capacity within South Africa for the education and training of pharmacists in order to alleviate the acute shortage of pharmacist in order to maintain an efficient and cost effective pharmaceutical service.
  • To accommodate requests from potential students from SADC Countries and even further afield, such as Kenia and the Cameroon, by offering Pharmacy as a distance or a mixed mode delivery. It offers the opportunity to help build capacity in the surrounding SADC countries and in so doing contribute towards the Nepad initiative.
  • To utilize the change to a student-centred learning model whereby classroom teaching has largely been replaced by facilitation of learning, which could take place in a variety of environments, including the classroom and through mixed mode distance learning, study centres and the utilisation of appropriate technology.
  • To provide for the shift in the required outcomes for pharmacists towards practical exposure in the clinical environment, such as in pharmacies, clinics and hospitals. The mixed mode approach will provide for more efficient exposure to the clinical environment as an externship while the required laboratory practicals (which are still considered very important) could be accommodated in blocks at the University during times when the laboratories are not occupied by full-time students, thereby utilising laboratory space more efficiently.
  • To provide opportunities to pharmacists' assistants and other potential students who are keen to study pharmacy but are unable to afford leaving their places of employment for full-time study. This is in line with the objectives of SAQA to provide career paths for such persons. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Admission requirements:

    An endorsed Senior Certificate issued by the South African Certification Council with full Matriculation exemption, at least a D symbol for Mathematics and Science on the higher grade or a C symbol on the standard grade, and compliance with a psychometric selection test and any additional admission requirements as approved by the Senate from time to time.

    Recognition of prior learning:

    Recognition of prior learning in Pharmacy and associated areas, e.g. training and/or experience as a Pharmacists' Assistant (basic or post-basic level) will be considered by the relevant committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Division of credits

    Number of credits at the different levels and credits required for fundamental, core and elective learning:

    Level 5:
  • Core: 16 credits
  • Fundamental: 104 credits
  • Elective: 8 credits
    Total: 128

    Level 6:
  • Core: 16 credits
  • Fundamental: 128 credits
  • Elective: 0 credits
    Total: 144

    Level 7:
  • Core: 0 credits
  • Fundamental: 144 credits
  • Elective:0 credits
    Total: 144

    Level 8:
  • Core: 8 credits
  • Fundamental: 128 credits
  • Elective: 8 credits
    Total: 144

    Total number of credits required : 560 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    On completion of the prescribed practical training programme the candidate shall be competent to act as custodian of medicines and to control medicines from concept to therapeutic reality by:

    1. Individually or as part of a team, control and organise the development, testing, compounding and packaging of pharmaceutical products.

    2. Managing the logistics of medicines by organising, managing and controlling the acquisition, storage and distribution of pharmaceutical material and products.

    3. Becoming an indispensable and accepted link in the health care system as a member of the health care team by acting as a provider of cost-effective and efficient pharmaceutical services in satisfying the needs of society by:

    3.1. Acting as a provider of pharmaceutical care by accepting co-responsibility for therapeutic outcomes and by being actively involved in the design, implementation and monitoring of pharmaceutical health care planning.
    3.2. Applying pharmaco-economic knowledge, factors, models, theories and principles in the provision of cost-effective therapy and pharmaceutical services.
    3.3. Dispensing prescribed medicines and ensuring its optimal use by means of supervision, control and providing advice to the patient and the health care professions.
    3.4. Providing pharmacist-initiated care to the patient and ensuring the optimal use of medicines.
    3.5. Providing essential clinical services, including screening tests and referral to other members of the health care team.
    3.6. Providing education and information on health care and medicines by scientifically conveying information verbally, non-verbally and electronically.
    3.7. Promoting community health and providing related information and advice.

    4. Serving one's fellow man with an attitude of altruism and a sense of responsibility and empathy by efficiently and effectively employing science and technology with a responsibility towards the environment, one's own health as well as that of others.

    5. Independently identifying, evaluating, formulating and innovatively and creatively solving problems in the practice setting by using applicable literature, ready knowledge and laboratory techniques.

    6. Having, apart from subject knowledge, insight into the encyclopedia and continuity of science and the fact that problem solving does not exist in isolation.

    7. Starting to act entrepreneurally.

    8. Having the ability and motivation to continuously develop one's scientific and professional knowledge, skills and abilities and to be a life-long learner in order to continue practicing one's profession on a high level of competency. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Criteria are formulated in accordance with specific outcomes. During evaluation explicit and sampling approaches will be followed.

    Learners are expected, within the context of the pharmaceutical sciences and professional service and by means of the methods of integrated assessment (as shown under point no. 8 below), to be able to demonstrate and prove their ability of integrating and applying relevant, fundamental, scientific and professional knowledge, insight, skills and values in achieving specific and critical outcomes.

    The leaner will:

    1.
  • Design, manufacture and test new drugs as part of a team.
  • Design and test new pharmaceutical products and dosage forms.
  • Develop, manufacture, test, register, compound, pack and store pharmaceutical products.
  • Manage, organise and control such processes.

    2.
  • Describe sources and procedures for supplying medicines in the public and private sector.
  • Describe the storaging of medicines, including drug stability and the kinetics of drug degradation in specific case studies.
  • Explain medicine distribution systems, prevention of degradation, maintenance of integrity and the cold chain, and the scientific and pharmaceutical principles involved in specific case studies.
  • Discuss relevant legal requirements and good pharmacy and distribution practices.

    3.1.
  • Develop a pharmaceutical care plan for an individual patient in a case study and then describe the implementation and monitoring of the plan as well as the principles involved.
  • Discuss the drug action in the human body, side effects, contra-indications and the principles involved.
  • Identify drug-related problems and then discuss the prevention of these problems.

    3.2.
  • Discuss the impact of pharmaco-economic theories, principles and models on the provision of cost-effective pharmaceutical services.
  • Apply these theories, principles and models in typical South African case studies.
  • Managing the pharmaco-economic factors governing cost-effective therapy and the provision of pharmaceutical services.
  • Conduct a consumer evaluation investigation on the provision of pharmaceutical services.

    3.3.
  • Read and interpret prescriptions, discuss and employ applicable pharmaceutical and pharmacological principles, and apply legal and ethical requirements and good pharmacy practice.
  • Discuss the control of medicine storage requirements in case studies.
  • Discuss and evaluate the desired outcomes in the therapeutic treatment of various diseases.
  • In a given case study advice a patient and a medical practitioner on the optimal use of the prescribed medicine.
  • Discuss and administer the control of medicine.

    3.4.
  • Record an anamnesis.
  • Recognise and discuss symptoms and signs and the causes of diseases and social factors affecting it.
  • Command physical examination methods (under suoervision) on the primary health care level.
  • Treat diseases (under supervision) on the primary care level in accordance with the Standard Treatment Guidelines of the South African Essential Drug Programme for Primary Care.

    3.5.
  • Measure blood pressure, interpret it, advise the patient and apply sound clinical and scientific judgement for referral to medical practitioners.
  • Perform and interpret applicable screening tests, and advising the patient in accordance with pharmacy practice principles where applicable.
  • Communicate findings and advice to the health care team and the patient.
  • Discuss the patient's concerns with him/her.

    3.6.
  • Educate patients and the general public by verbally discussing information on health care to individual patients, the general public and health professions.
  • Educate patients and the general public by designing posters with information on health care.
  • Effectively use drug information sources and information systems.

    3.7.
  • Demonstrate how to promote community health by giving information and advice verbally and non-verbally (using posters) and providing information and education to the patient and members of the health care team.

    4.
  • Discuss the application of ethical and professional norms and values in the provision of pharmaceutical services.
  • Demonstrate the ability to integrate science and technology in promoting the health of individuals and society.

    5.
  • Identify scientific/health care problems, use scientific and professional literature in search of information on these identified problems and use laboratory research techniques to solve the problems and write reports on the results and findings.

    6.
  • Discuss an own framework of thinking or world view, with reference to the Christian and other world views.

    7.
  • Identify factors to develop and conduct a business.

    8.
  • Solve health care problems regarding the use of medicine by doing applicable research and communicate findings.

    Integrated assessment (to ensure that the goal of the qualification has been achieved):

    Integrated assessment of the exit level outcomes is achieved by means of a variety of formative and summative techniques, including:
  • Written and oral tests and exminations.
  • Evaluation of group and individual projects and assignments.
  • Case studies.
  • Practical exposure to patients in clinics, hospitals and pharmacies.
  • Practical examinations.
  • Observation during exposure to the practice of pharmacy.
  • Group discussions.
  • Portfolios.
  • Simulations.
  • Work place assessments.

    The emphasis is on continuous assessment throughout the programme.

    The following quality assurance procedures form part of the evaluation and accreditation system of the qualification:
  • Use of external examiners.
  • Internal moderation.
  • Accreditation by the South African Pharmacy Council.
  • An intensive internal quality assurance programme. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The B.Pharm.-programme intended to be delivered through mixed mode is in terms of outcomes, curriculum and syllabus exactly the same as the existing BPharm-programme which is being offered on campus. A thorough and intensive review of the programme in terms of outcomes based and student centred learning has recently been completed and are being phased in over the last three years. In reviewing the programme domestic needs as well as international tendencies has been taken into account.

    International requirements and approaches to the pharmacy programme have been thoroughly researched through regular attendance of conferences, amongst others the annual conferences of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and the bi-annual conference on Life Long Learning in pharmacy, and annual visits to pharmacy school in various countries, amongst others Britain, USA, Singapore and Australia, Den mark and Sweden with the explicit intention to study and compare pharmacy education. We are therefore convinced that the BPharm- programme offered at the North West University is in line with international requirements and of the highest standard found internationally. This is borne out by the Diamond arrow award received by this school of pharmacy over the past 5 years as well as the unconditional acceptance of alumni of this school in all English speaking countries in the world.

    The international shift towards a greater emphasis on practice and clinical exposure (which is also contact learning, but off campus) actually forms the basis for the initiative to embark on a mixed mode delivery which we consider to accommodate some of the practice requirements more efficiently. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Vertically:

    The B.Pharm. degree ensures admission to post-graduate study, such as M.Pharm., M.Sc. and Ph.D at the North West University, and other universities nationally and internationally.

    Horizontally:

    All the fundamental courses allow admission to various B.Sc. programmes at this University and others. The core courses are largely interchangeable with courses offered by other pharmacy schools. On completion of the second year of study the learner will be granted recognition of the theoretical component of the Pharmacists' Assistant (Basic) programme and on completion of the third year of study of the theoretical component of the Pharmacists' Assistant (Post-Basic) programme. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Internally:

    For every examination internal examiners and internal moderators are appointed by the Faculty Council.

    Externally:

    In addition, for all final year examinations, external moderators are appointed on the basis of their expertise. Furthermore, pharmacy education is subject to regular moderation and accreditation by the South African Pharmacy Council. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Criteria for the registration of assessors:

    Only academic personnel of the University are employed as assessors. They are appointed on the basis of their expertise and assessment ability, on which the University provided the required tuition. This takes place within the quality assurance process of the University. This policy also applies to external assessors. A regular internal review process forms part of the University's quality assurance system and this is supplemented every four years by moderation by the South African Pharmacy Council. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    Compliance with requirements of regulations 8 and 9:

    Compliance with the requirements of regulation 8:

    Regulation:

    A qualification shall:

    1. Represent a planned combination of learning outcomes which has a defined purpose or purposes, and which is intended to provide qualifying learners with applied competence and a basis for further learning.
    2. Add value to the qualifying learner in terms of enrichment of the person through the: provision of status, recognition, credentials and licensing; enhancement of marketability and employability; and opening-up of access routes to additional education and training.
    3. Provide benefits to society and the economy through enhancing citizenship, increasing social and economic productivity, providing specifically skilled/professional people and transforming and redressing legacies of inequity.
    4. Comply with the objectives of the National Qualifications Framework contained in section 2 of the Act.
    5. Have both specific and critical cross-field outcomes which promote life-long learning.
    6. Where applicable, be internationally comparable.
    7. Incorporate integrated assessment appropriately to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved, and such assessment shall use a range of formative and summative assessment methods such as portfolios, simulations, work-place assessments, written and oral examinations.
    8. Indicate in the rules governing the award of the qualification that the qualification may be achieved in whole or in part through the recognition of prior learning, which concept includes but is not limited to learning outcomes achieved through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience.
    9. A total of 120 (one hundred and twenty) or more credits shall be required for registration of a qualification at levels 1to 8, with a minimum of 72 (seventy-two) credits being obtained at or above the level at which the qualification is registered, and the number and levels of credits constituting the balance (of forty-eight) shall be specified: Provided that a qualification consisting of less than 120 credits may be considered if it meets the requirements in regulation 8(1) and complies with the objectives of the National Qualifications Framework contained in section 2 of the Act.

    Compliance:

    1. The B.Pharm. programme represents a planned combination of learning outcomes structured in modules with a defined objective or objectives in a four year study programme aimed at providing qualifying learners with applied competencies after completion of an internship programme as well as a basis for further learning in accordance with the unit standards for entrance level pharmacists as stated under the exit level outcomes.

    2. The programme gives qualifying learners access to the pharmacy profession after completion of an internship programme, thereby:
  • Affording them access to job opportunities in the various branches of the profession.
  • Creating the opportunity of self fulfilment to make, as part of the health care team, a worthwhile and valued contribution to the health of the people of South Africa.
  • Sharing in the status and recognition that are part of the profession and affording them access to post-graduate study and essential continuous education, which not only leads to greater professional competence but also opens up further job opportunities.

    3.
    Successful learners, as pharmacists and members of the health care team, will form an essential and accepted link in the health care system by acting as providers of cost-effective and efficient pharmaceutical services to satisfy the needs of society. The addition of the mixed mode delivery of the programme will assist in alleviating the acute shortage of pharmacists in South Africa and neighbouring Southern African countries. It will afford access to professional training to a large number of candidates who previously were denied the opportunity both in South Africa and the SADC region.

    4.
  • The programme leads to acquisition of a professional qualification on the NQF level 8, opening up a variety of job choices within the profession, such as community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, various options in industrial pharmacy, managed health care, the drug regulatory authority, research and education.
  • The addition of the mixed mode delivery is specifically intended to contribute towards the provision of an adequate number of pharmacists to play a significant role in the provision of health services (amongst others the HIV/AIDS role out plan of government, requiring an estimated 22 000 pharmacists) as part of the health system in South Africa.
  • A selection process precedes admission to the program and provision is made for recognising prior learning, making the programme accessible irrespective of race, gender or creed.
  • Articulation possibilities, both horizontally and vertically as well as intra- and inter-institutionally are built into the programme.
  • The quality of education is guaranteed by a stringent quality assurance process, satisfying the needs of the country, and complying with international standards.
  • The programme ensures adequate opportunity for personal development and continuous personal development of the learner, access to the pharmacy profession, and provides opportunity for social and economic development of the learner and, as service provider, opportunity to contribute to the social and economic development of society in general.

    5.
    The exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria provide for both specific and critical outcomes and are aimed at promoting life-long learning in order to continue practising the profession on a high level, and at utilising the transition to student- centred learning to improve human resources.

    6.
    A specific objective of the programme is that, apart from local needs, it shall comply with internationally accepted requirements.

    7.
    The programme complies with this requirement, as mentioned under point 8. The shift in competencies required of modern day pharmacists also increasingly requires training and assessment in the clinical setting in addition to the laboratory environment. The mixed mode delivery lends itself excellently for this purpose.

    8.
    The entrance requirements and the University's yearbook will make provision for recognition of prior learning experience.

    9.
    The qualification consists of a total of 560 credits spread over four years with a minimum of 128 credits on each level. A minimum of 96 credits on each level lies on the level in question.

    Compliance with the requirements of regulation 9(2):

    Regulation:
  • In addition, for registration at levels 5 to 8 the number of credits required for Fundamental, Core and Elective learning shall be specified, which number of credits shall be appropriate to the qualification for which registration is sought: Provided that the Authority may require that the reasons for the number and distribution of credits be provided.

    Compliance:
  • Fundamental core and elective modules are specified under point 7 in accordance with regulation 9(2). 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. North West University 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.