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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Medicine in Clinical Pharmacology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111560  Master of Medicine in Clinical Pharmacology 
ORIGINATOR
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The primary purpose of Master of Medicine in Clinical Pharmacology qualificaiton is to educate and train qualifying learners who can contribute to the development of knowledge such that they are prepared for specialised professional employment. This professional Master of Medicine in Clinical Pharmacology fulfils the requirements for professional registration or recognition, and includes appropriate forms of work-integrated learning. Successful completion of the professional qualification will enable learners to acquire a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence as well as be able to demonstrate the ability to relate knowledge to the resolution of complex problems in professional practice.

The purpose of the qualification is to produce qualifying learners with specialist training in clinical pharmacology, who may be registered at the level of a specialist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The qualification will produce qualifying learners with expertise in research, which includes the ability to evaluate and implement research findings in the clinical pharmacology specialisation and the ability to guide junior candidates if the qualifying learner is in an educational setting, thus increasing a cadre of clinical pharmacologists required in the country. The qualification will provide an essential step in the training of medical qualifying learners in clinical pharmacology and will address an obvious need.

Upon completion of the qualification, a The qualification will enable learners to:
  • Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively.
  • Design and critically appraise analytical writing.
  • Make sound judgements using data and information at their disposal and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems.
  • Act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks with a professional orientation.
  • Continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to a particular profession.

    Rationale:
    The Master of Medicine in Clinical Pharmacology is a professional four-year qualification pegged at NQF Level 9 with a credit value of 720 and aligns with the requirements of the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) (2013). Clinical pharmacology is a new medical specialty in South Africa. There are too few specialists in this field and thus there is an increasing interest of medical doctors to specialise in this field. There is a growing demand in academia, the public sector, the private sector, drug regulatory agencies and industry for suitably trained scientists who are skilled in clinical pharmacology. There is an urgent need in South Africa for skilled clinical pharmacologists to undertake training and research and offer their services to ensure rational use of drugs. The qualification would therefore cater for both needs for the country as a whole and also for Africa in general, since there are a few clinical pharmacologists in Africa. This qualification contributes to the drive to revitalise clinical research in a developing country like South Africa to enhance health care at all levels by providing specialist knowledge and competencies in clinical pharmacology, and promoting good policy-making.

    The need for Clinical Pharmacologists specialists originates from recent developments in health sciences and healthcare practice. There has been an enormous increase in the number of therapeutic products and formulations. Unfortunately, this expanding therapeutic armamentarium has been associated with an increased incidence of adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, drug resistance, drug overdose and medical errors because the increasing cost of new drugs is a major concern, insight into pharmaco-economic evaluation of new interventions is also of critical importance. Patients with special dosing requirements is expanding to: those at the extremes of age, with co-morbid conditions and those who are pregnant. There have been calls for increased clinical research in South Africa that is largely focused on the robust evaluation of therapeutic interventions, and addressing health needs of the local population.

    In South Africa, clinical pharmacology is represented by the College of Clinical Pharmacologists (CCP) within the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA). The application for the qualification Clinical Pharmacology (Clin Pharm) offered by the College of Clinical Pharmacologists has been approved by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) Postgraduate Education and Training Subcommittee, the Medical and Dental Professions Board and Council. Formal registration of the specialty training in clinical pharmacology by the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics was approved by the HPCSA. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution has a well-established policy that deals with RPL. Possible exemption, for a maximum period of 2 years (50% of the time), based on comparable training and experience gained at another recognized academic institution could be granted, subject to the following conditions:
  • The said periods of training must have occurred within at most two years before registering for the MMed in Clinical Pharmacology
  • Sufficient experience must be proven using a logbook, portfolio and certification by the Head of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology where the experience was gained.
  • The above information must be evaluated by the Head of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology of the SMU and approved as equivalent. With the consent of the Head of the Department and the Executive Committee (MEDEX) of the School of Medicine (SMU).

    Entry Requirements:
  • MBChB or equivalent Medical degree, NQF level 8
  • Be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a medical practitioner with paid-up annual fees
  • Be appointed to a Registrar's post recognised by the HPCSA. This post must be occupied for the full duration of registration as required under these rules. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework, Level 9 totalling 720Credits.

    Compulsory modules, NQF Level 9, 720 Credits
  • Principles of Clinical Pharmacology, 180 Credits.
  • Applied Clinical Pharmacology, 360 Credits.
  • Mini Dissertation (Clinical Pharmacology), 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Implement drug policy in a rational drug selection principles .
    2. Manage individual patients and health of communities/special risk populations.
    3. Acquire information on new medicines and critically evaluate its quality and utility.
    4. Function as an effective team member in the broader context of health care.
    5. Play an active role in training other health care workers.
    6. Engage in research and report on studies of drug therapy . 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply rational drug selection principles for formulary and standard treatment guidelines development for different levels of care.
  • Critically evaluate the risks and benefits of all drugs, particularly new drugs and new information on available drugs, by applying the principles of evidence-based medicine, pharmaco-economics and pharmaco-epidemiology.
  • Provide guidance regarding key regulatory legislation, example for drug regulation, dispensing, unregistered medicines and clinical trials.
  • Advise or assist other professionals where necessary on drug policy.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Select appropriate, safe, effective, and cost-effective therapeutic regimens for patients presenting at different levels of healthcare.
  • Application of the principles and practice of prescribing in special risk groups of patients, example children, elderly, obesity, malnutrition, pregnancy, lactation, renal failure, hepatic failure and porphyria.
  • Diagnosis and management of cases of suspected poisoning and overdose.
  • Detection and management of drug interactions.
  • Appropriate use of therapeutic drug monitoring.
  • Appropriate management, reporting, and evaluation of adverse events/adverse drug reactions and failed therapy.
  • Participate in treatment selection for individual patients as a member of multidisciplinary team.
  • Provide guidance on medico-legal aspects of drug use, substance abuse and prescriptions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Access information using electronic and traditional methods.
  • Engage in continuing professional development activities.
  • Critically appraise the quality, clinical relevance locally and utility of medicines information.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Treat all healthcare workers, including traditional, alternative and complementary Practitioners, with respect.
  • Recognise the roles other health care workers play and consult appropriately.
  • Effectively communicate with health care workers in verbal and written format.
  • Provide leadership as needed.
  • Maintain high ethical and professional standards.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Regularly participate in academic Undergraduate and Postgraduate teaching activities and continuing professional development programmes.
  • Regularly participate in academic meetings.
  • Communicate health-related information effectively to colleagues.

    Associated assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Design, conduct, analyse and report on studies of drug therapy. This may include pre-clinical research.

    Integrated Assessment:
    In order to ensure that all Exit Level Outcomes are met, an integrated assessment approach is used throughout the training which includes continuous assessment and a comprehensive final examination by internal and external specialist clinicians.

    Formative Assessment:
    Continuous Workplace-Based Assessments (WBA) of the clinical coursework modules include direct observations, based on the list of prescribed Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) take place in clinical settings while the student work with patients. Observers provide written feedback to the student, and feedback are quarterly discussed with the supervisor. A minimum of 10 observations is required per feedback cycle. If necessary, a remedial plan for corrective action is developed. WBAs are documented for recordkeeping, e.g. logbook with EPAs, skills and procedures is signed off by the supervisor once the student achieved competence. Supervisory feedback for the research is included in the program and requirements for submissions for ethics clearance stipulated e.g. Research protocol submitted to SREC within 24 months of first registration; Research protocol submitted to SMUREC within 30 months.

    Summative Assessment:
  • Primary Assessment / Part 1 Examination: Between 15-24 months of training in an HPCSA recognised training post.
  • Final Assessment / Part 2 Examination: within 48 months of first registration.
  • Research mini-dissertation must be passed by two independent external examiners within 48 months of first registration. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Canada
    Institution: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
    Qualification title: MMed Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, including residency training.
    Duration: Two to three years

    Purpose
    The Division of Clinical Pharmacology provides a 2 to 3-year accredited subspecialty residency training program for specialist certification of 1-2 residents each year. Applicants usually have already completed 3 years of Internal Medicine or Paediatrics in an accredited Canadian training program.
    All applicants must be eligible for educational licensure in the province of Ontario. At the end of the 3 years, the trainee will be eligible for dual subspecialty certification from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. The program is intended to provide the trainee with a solid background in principles of drug action, adverse drug reactions, drug-drug interactions, and the emerging field of Personalized Medicine, Hypertension and Vascular Health, Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, Toxicology, Research and Teaching. The college has finalised the list of Entrustable Professional activities candidates need to demonstrate competence for.

    Similarities:
  • In general, the scope, range and depth of clinical pharmacology training in Canada and SMU is similar, although the duration for the program differs.
  • Both Canada and SMU also require research competence and dissemination of research results.
  • Both qualifications also require registration with the professional body and licensure to work in the province within accredited training facilities.

    Differences:
  • Canadian learners can enter the program from partially completed specialist training in Internal Medicine or Paediatrics after which they qualify for dual registration with the professional body. At SMU candidates can enter with a MBCHB qualification and the duration of the program is 4-years, with no dual registration possible unless they also separately completed a MMed in Internal Medicine or Paediatrics.

    Country: Australia
    Institution name: Royal Australasian college of Physicians
    Qualification title: Advanced training in Clinical Pharmacology, e.g. in Northern Queensland training Hubs.

    Purpose:
    This curriculum outlines the broad concepts, related learning objectives and the associated theoretical knowledge, clinical skills, attitudes and behaviours required and commonly utilised by clinical pharmacologists within Australia and New Zealand. The purpose of the program is for trainees to build on the cognitive and practical skills acquired during basic medical training. At the completion of the training Program, trainees should be competent to provide at consultant level, unsupervised comprehensive service in clinical pharmacology.

    The 3-year training program is flexible, depending on the prior training and experience of each trainee, although a prerequisite is that trainees have good experience in general medicine. The precise manner in which knowledge and experience are acquired varies with the facilities available in individual training units, and with the interests and requirements of the supervisor. It is expected that two years are spent in a department of clinical pharmacology, but periods of training in another subspecialty may also be approved, provided there is a continuing component of clinical pharmacology.

    Current strengths of this specialty include expertise in drugs relevant to all medical disciplines; the ability to combine clinical pharmacology expertise with practise in another discipline; and a wide range of job opportunities, including clinical practise, academia, research, industry and drug regulation. All teaching, learning and assessment associated with the curriculum will be undertaken within the context of the physician's everyday clinical practice and will accommodate discipline-specific contexts and practices as required. As such it will need to be implemented within the reality of current workplace and workforce issues and the needs of health service provision.

    Similarities:
  • Australian qualification's entry requirements and SMU's both require that learners should have completed undergraduate medical training, have sufficient experience in general clinical practice, are registered for general medical registration with the professional body and are employed in an appropriate training post; while after successful completion of the program the graduate will be regarded to be proficient working at consultant level and independently.
  • Both programs combined clinical pharmacology expertise with practice or rotations to another clinical discipline. For both graduates have a wide range of job opportunities, including clinical practice, academic, research, industry and drug regulation.

    Difference:
  • In Australia and New Zeeland the training is a total of 36 months, full time, of which a minimum should be 24 months spend of core clinical pharmacology and 12 months in non-core training; while at SMU it is 4 years in compulsory core modules. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Medicine, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Medicine in Paediatric Surgery, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Medicine, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Medicine in Health Sciences, NQF Level 10.

    Diagonal Articulation:
    There is no diagonal articulation for this qualification. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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.
     
    NONE 


    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.