Pharmacist

A pharmacist’s task is to manufacture, dispense and distribute medicine to treat and prevent diseases in animals and humans. A pharmacist forms the co-ordinating link between the producer and the doctor, the doctor and the patient, and the patient and the community.

Job Characteristics

• Preparing and directing the preparation of medicaments according to prescriptions of medical, dental and veterinary practitioners or established formula.



• Testing drugs to determine identity, purity and strength.



• Checking prescriptions to ensure that recommended dosages are not exceeded and that instructions are understood by the patient or person administering the medicament.



• Advising on possible drug incompatibility.



• Making up medicine according to the doctor’s prescription, as well as on his/her own initiative.



• Controlling the production of medicine and preparing information about new products for submission to the medical control board.



• Planning the marketing of products.



• Maintaining records, especially of narcotics, poisons and habit-forming drugs issued.



• Counselling patients regarding medications dispensed, to ensure correct administration and patient compliance in order to achieve maximum and optimal effect of the medication.



• Liaising with medical aids and other health care professionals.

Requirements
 
Secondary Education
Possession of at least a HIGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, with matriculation exemption and generally outstanding marks is required for admittance to a South African university.

Compulsory subjects
Mathematics and Physical Science (South Africa)

Recommended subject
Biology (South Africa)
 
Tertiary Education
The B. Pharm. degree is offered at the Universities of the North, Cape Town, Durban Westville, Potchefstroom for CHE, Western Cape, Witwatersrand, Rhodes and Port Elizabeth. It is a four-year course after which the prospective pharmacist must register as an intern-pharmacist with the Pharmacy Board, and complete one year of practical training.
 
No formal training is currently offered in Namibia, but prospective pharmacists who would like to practise in Namibia, are required to register with the Namibian Pharmacy Board.

Personality
The prospective pharmacist should be hardworking, accurate, responsible and must possess good interpersonal skills.

Work Opportunities
Pharmacists can work in the following directions: industry (manufacturing and research), administration (registration), retail, hospital, research and the academic fidd (lecturing). Self-employment is a viable option after sufficient experience has been gained.

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