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:

Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist's Assistant (Basic)

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
112811	Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist's Assistant (Basic)
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - HWSETA
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate	Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services		Curative Health
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	62	Not Applicable	NQF Level 04	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0425/24	2019-12-05	2025-12-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-30		2029-12-30

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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of this part-qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Pharmacist's Assistant (Basic). This qualification is the first step in becoming a Pharmacy Technician. A Pharmacist's Assistant (Basic) performs a range of assistive tasks in the various categories of pharmacy.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Apply basic scientific knowledge to provide technical support in delivering pharmaceutical services.

Provide technical support for the receiving, storing, picking, packing and distributing orders. To perform stock counts and participate in stock-taking in compliance with Good Wholesaling and Distribution Practice (GWDP) and Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) requirements.

Provide technical support for the manufacture, packaging and re-packaging of non-sterile medicines and scheduled substances in compliance with Good Manufacturing Process (GMP) guidelines under the supervision of a Pharmacist.

Provide technical support for the compounding, manipulation and preparation of non-sterile medicines and scheduled substances (extemporaneous compounding) in compliance with standards as described in the GPP rules and GMP guidelines under the supervision of a Pharmacist.

Rationale:
South Africa currently has nine pharmacy schools producing a limited number of pharmacists. The medicine supply is key to the effective delivery of healthcare. Consequently, it is important to manage pharmacy human resources are effectively and efficiently managed to meet the healthcare needs of this country.

There is an urgent need to increase pharmacy human resources and following a global trend, pharmacy support personnel can fill that workforce gap. The South African Pharmacy Council must ensure that these Pharmacy Support Personnel (PSP) are suitable for:

The National Health Insurance.

The re-engineering of primary healthcare services and

For facilitating the State President's initiative, Operation PHAKISA for the ideal clinic realisation.

The need to increase the productivity and responsibilities of the PSPs especially in areas around medicine supply chain and dispensing became apparent with the thrust to release the pharmacist to focus more on patient care. The evolution of a more patient-centric role for the pharmacist is a global phenomenon and the PSP must support this change.

PSPs may practice in both private and public sector pharmacies. The scope of practice for PSPs allows them to work, under the direct personal supervision of a pharmacist, in four categories of pharmacies:

Community,

Institutional (private or public hospital),

Manufacturing and

Wholesale pharmacy provided that they are competent to practise and are appropriately registered with Council to practise in that category of pharmacy.

Typical learners will be school leavers and those working in various categories of pharmacy, but with no formal qualification. Benefits to the learner include a nationally recognised qualification and part-qualifications that will improve current knowledge, skills and competencies in performing support functions in a pharmacy. Further, this qualification provides improved access to acquiring skills as full-time employment is no longer a requirement for registration of a learner. Lastly, the qualification makes provision for career-pathing and progression.

Benefits to the country include the fact that this qualification will serve as a national benchmark for PSP at all three levels Basic, Post Basic and Pharmacy Technician besides, there will be improved utilisation of pharmacy human resources and an improvement in the quality of PSP.

Society will benefit from an occupational qualification which, combined with its part qualifications will increase employment opportunities for many. The increased productive capacity of PSP means that the pharmacists are free to focus more on patient care.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment:
Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record.

RPL for access to the qualification:
Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

Entry Requirements:
NQF Level 4 with Mathematics and Physical or Life Sciences.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge and Practical Skill Modules:

Knowledge Modules:

321301000-KM-01, Introduction to the Pharmaceutical Environment, Level 4, 10 Credits.

321301000-KM-02, Stock Distribution and Control, Level 4, 4 Credits.

321301000-KM-05, Non-sterile Medicine Manufacture, Level 4, 6 Credits.

321301000-KM-08, Compounding of Non-sterile Extemporaneous Preparations, Level 4, 3 Credits.

321301000-KM-15, General Housekeeping, Level 4, 2 Credits.

The total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 25.

Practical Skill Modules:

321301000-PM-01, Distribute and Control Stock as per Current Legislation, Level 4, 4 Credits.

321301000-PM-04, Manufacture Non-sterile medicines, Level 4, 6 Credits.

321301000-PM-07, Compound Non-sterile Extemporaneous Preparations, Level 4, 5 Credits.

321301000-PM-12, Perform General Housekeeping and Administrative Tasks in the Pharmacy, Level 4, 2 Credits.

321301000-PM-18, Operate Computers and Computer Software, Level 4, 4 Credits.

The total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 21.

Work Experience Modules:

321301000-WM-01, Processes to Distribute and Control Stock as per Legislation, Level 4, 5 Credits.

321301000-WM-04, Processes to Manufacture Non- sterile Medicines, Level 4, 4 Credits.

321301000-WM-07, Processes to Compound Non-sterile Extemporaneous Preparations, Level 4, 5 Credits.

321301000-WM-12, Processes to Perform General Housekeeping and Administrative Tasks in the Pharmacy, Level 4, 2 Credits.

The total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 16.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply basic scientific knowledge to provide technical support in delivering pharmaceutical services.
2. Provide technical support for the receiving, storing, picking, packing and distributing orders. To perform stock counts and participate in stock-taking in compliance with cGMP, GWDP and GPP requirements.
3. Provide technical support for the manufacture, packaging and re-packaging of non-sterile medicines and scheduled substances in compliance with GMP guidelines under the supervision of a Pharmacist.
4. Provide technical support for the compounding, manipulation and preparation of non-sterile medicines and scheduled substances (extemporaneous compounding) in compliance with standards as described in the GPP rules and GMP guidelines under the supervision of a Pharmacist.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 1:

Explain legislation related to the relevant scope of practice in pharmaceutical services in the South African context.

Demonstrate ethical and professional conduct related to the relevant scope of practice in the provision of pharmaceutical technical support services.

Explain basic pharmaceutical terms and concepts concerning non-sterile drug delivery systems and their routes of administration.

Explain basic scientific principles and apply non-sterile pharmaceutical preparations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Conduct distribution and control of the stock of medicines, scheduled substances, and medical devices according to SOPS, and per cGMP, GPP and GWDP.

Pick, pack and secure orders for medicines or scheduled substances are according to all requirements and check that orders dispatched according to SOPS.

Complete documents and maintain records following applicable legislation and SOPs.

Perform stock counts accurately and render assistance in stock taking.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Comply with pharmaceutical and cGMP principles and legislative requirements in the manufacture, packaging and/or re-packaging of non-sterile medicines and scheduled substances.

Organise and prepare resources, materials and equipment for the preparation of specific medicines following relevant SOPs and process documentation.

Handle materials with due regard for environmental and storage conditions, transport and security requirements.

Conduct relevant manufacturing processes for non-sterile medicines and scheduled substances according to procedures.

Pack and re-package medicines and scheduled substances following GMP, ethical principles, relevant legislation, process documentation and SOPs, and authorised by a pharmacist.

Complete all documents and maintain records following cGMP guidelines.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Comply with the principles of GPP concerning the compounding of non-sterile medicines and substances.

Compound a simple solution, suspension and semi-solid following instructions (formulas), relevant SOPs and process documentation, using the principles of cGMP and/or GPP for specific patients.

Generate records for each of the preparations produced following legal requirements and organisational policies and procedures.

Check and clean equipment, according to SOPs.

Perform housekeeping activities according to SOPs.

Operate personal computer to generate documents and spreadsheets.

Integrated Assessment:
Integrated formative assessment:
The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

Integrated summative assessment:
The relevant QCTO Assessment Quality partner must conduct an external integrated summative assessment, for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria. The external summative assessment will be a test conducted through an evaluation of written and practical tasks covering critical aspects in a simulated environment at an assessment centre accredited by QCTO and conducted by a registered assessor.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The international comparability aims to examine Pharmacy Technician qualifications of other countries and to compare the South African qualification against international best practice in this field. The comparability exercise focused on New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, the United States, Botswana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

New Zealand:
In New Zealand, the National Certificate in Pharmacy {Technician) (Level 5) with strands in Community, and Hospital includes the following unit standards:

Apply legislation, codes, and standards to the supply of products and services as a pharmacy technician.

Compound non-aseptic pharmaceutical products under the supervision of a pharmacist.

Dispense prescriptions and pharmaceutical orders under supervision.

Apply procedures for handling hazardous substances as a pharmacy technician.

Provide advice on the use of dispensed medicines as a pharmacy technician.

Demonstrate knowledge of pharmaceutical dosage forms and accessories.

Demonstrate knowledge of pathogens, infections, and anti-infective therapy.

Demonstrate knowledge, as a pharmacy technician, of drug dosing, action, adverse effects, and misuse and dependence.

Demonstrate knowledge of human nutrition and nutritional states as a pharmacy assistant or pharmacy technician.

Provide written and oral advice as a pharmacy technician.

Manage stock within a pharmacy as a pharmacy technician.

Demonstrate professionalism as a pharmacy assistant or pharmacy technician.

Make conversions and perform calculations for compounding and dispensing as a pharmacy technician.

Demonstrate knowledge of human nervous and endocrine systems and medicines used in their treatment.

Demonstrate knowledge of human cardiovascular and respiratory systems and medicines used in their treatment.

Demonstrate knowledge of human digestive, reproductive, and urinary systems and medicines used in their treatment.

Demonstrate knowledge of human musculoskeletal, integumentary systems, eye and ear and medicines used in their treatment.

Demonstrate knowledge of the human immune system and malignant disease and medicines used in their treatment.

Certificate in Pharmacy (Specialist Technician) (Level 6).

The purpose of this qualification is to provide the pharmacy sector with specialist pharmacy technicians who carry out a range of specialist pharmacy services. This qualification is for people employed as pharmacy technicians, and who are wishing to enter into a specialist pharmacy technician role with management/leadership responsibilities.

Qualification structure: Learners complete the following qualifications:

Effective Communication.

Learning and Development.

Leadership and Management for Effective Teamwork.

Pharmacy Operational Management.

Pharmacy Law and Ethics.

Quality Assurance in Pharmacy Practice.

New Zealand Health Care System.

Specialist Project 1 Specialist Dispensing.

Specialist Topic - Patient and Medicine Management.

Specialist Topic - Operational.

Ireland:
In Ireland, the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) Pharmacy Technician Qualification (Level 3 Diploma in Pharmacy Services Skills) prepares pharmacy technicians to assist pharmacists in ensuring the delivery of a high-quality pharmacy service in an efficient, safe and cost-effective manner.

Qualification Structure:

Year 1:
Underpinning Knowledge Modules covering: Introduction to working in a pharmacy and Stock Control; Pharmacy Practice and Procedure; Law and Ethics; Irish Medicines Schemes; Role of the Technician; Actions and Uses of Drugs-various BNF categories; Pharmaceutical Science and Dispensing and Product Formulation.

Year 2:
The Institute of Technology Carlow offers a Higher Certificate in Science-Pharmacy Technician Studies. This qualification provides learners with the administrative and clinical skills required to work in a retail or hospital environment. It offers a blend of academic knowledge, hands-on experience and real-world training in a pharmacy environment. The qualification addresses:

Pharmaceutical chemistry and human physiology-the study of how the body functions.

Drug actions and uses-understanding human diseases and the drugs used to treat these diseases.

Formulation and compounding-understanding how to make drugs and the regulations surrounding safe dispensing.

Special features of the qualification include weekly work experience throughout the qualification.

Six month-full-time work placement between first and second year at either a retail or hospital pharmacy. As part of the work placement module, learners may work abroad for eight weeks under the supervision of registered pharmacists.

Participation in conferences, poster competitions and lectures by guest speakers from the pharmacy industry will ensure that learners are well-grounded in all areas of work available to pharmacy technicians.

Subjects Year 1:

Mandatory: Regulations and Dispensing.

Human Physiology.

Drug Actions and Uses 1.

Pharm Chemistry.

Form and Comp.

Pharm Admin and Work Placement.

Pharm Calculations and Computing.

Over the Counter.

Communication.

Innovation and Teamwork.

Year 2:

Mandatory: Drug Actions and Uses 2.

Pharmacy Practice.

Aseptic Techniques.

Work Placement.

The details of many of these subjects indicate the resonance of the South African qualification with this qualification.

Canada:
Humber College in Canada offers a Pharmacy Technician Diploma which prepares learners for various careers in pharmacy including community, hospital and long-term care settings. Qualifications focus on legislation, physiology, pharmacotherapeutics, customer care, health-care ethics, hospital and retail software systems, inventory management, hospital practice, and infection control.

Semester 1 and Semester 2:

Community Pharmacy Management.

Pharmacy Calculations 1.

Pharmacy Dispensing Theory.

Pharmacy Dispensing Lab 1.

Pharmacotherapeutics 1.

College Reading and Writing Skills.

Semester 3:

Pharmacy Dispensing Lab 3 Institutional Dispensing Lab 2.

Pharmacy Calculations 2 Professionalism and Ethics.

Pharmacy Dispensing Lab 2 Institutional Dispensing Lab 1 Hospital Practices and Pharmaceutics Pharmacotherapeutics 2.

Semester 4:

Professional Communication and Collaboration Pharmacy Technician Work Experience.

Aseptic Compounding Pharmacotherapeutics 3.

Professional Communications: Pharmacy Technician.

Pharmacotherapeutics 4.

USA:
In the United States, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) is the accrediting body for pharmacy technician programs. ASHP-certified programs are available at many community colleges and vocational schools. Qualification work covers technical and practical training in the following areas:

Pharmacy law.

Pharmacology.

Pharmacy ethics.

Anatomy.

Healthcare systems.

Physiology.

Medical terminology.

Pharmaceutical calculations.

Most programs allow learners to gain clinical experience during their training. Depending on state laws, learners may also choose to gain on-the-job training without enrolling in a postsecondary education program. Clinical experience may take the form of a structured training program at a retail drugstore that has partnered with the school. Another option is to complete hands-on training at an approved pharmacy or medical centre.

A pharmacy technician diploma or certificate program can be completed in one year or less and provides the basic education and training needed to sit for the Certified Pharmacy Technician exam.

Botswana:
In Botswana, the Boitekanelo College offers the Higher National Diploma in Pharmacy Technology qualification. A total of 98 Credits are from the general and core qualifications plus six (6) Credits from the two optional qualifications for each learner. The distribution of 11 credits among 11 core qualifications as follows: 3 general education qualifications and 2 optional qualifications. There will be one-week registration period, one week for examinations, one reading week, one mid-semester break and 14 weeks of teaching, making a total of 18 weeks. Each learner should register for all general and core qualifications plus any two optional qualifications during the entire period of training.

Tanzania:
In Tanzania, the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences and the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences offer the Diploma in Pharmaceutical Sciences. The former institution offers it over 3 years. However, there is a paucity on the qualification structure and qualification outlines.

Zimbabwe:
In Zimbabwe, the Pharmacy Technician qualification of the US-based Livingston Parish Literacy and Technology Center is taught by a Certified Pharmacy Technician at Harare Polytechnic. This program allows learners to complete TOPS requirements and seek education in a four-year college. A major emphasis of this qualification is the national exam. The institution will instruct learners in materials required on the national exam.

The learner will take the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) examination. This qualification is designed to prepare the learners for entry-level positions as a pharmacy technician. The qualification also introduces the learner to other opportunities available in the pharmacy field. Emphasis is on skill development in assisting the pharmacist to:

Record and maintain records,

Label medications,

Perform computer patient billing,

Perform stock inventory, and

Order supplies.

Additional emphasis is on interpersonal skill development, telephone skills, drug classification and interactions, and work ethics. Topics of study are mathematics specific to the pharmaceutical field. Appropriate work-based strategies are service learning, field trips, and job shadowing.

Namibia:
In Namibia, the University of Namibia offers the Diploma in Pharmacy the duration of which is three years. Holders of this qualification can:

Undertake practice as a pharmaceutical technician within the legal requirements professionally and ethically.

Provide pharmaceutical care under the supervision of the pharmacist.

Effectively manage medicines inventory in a pharmacy setting.

Design and implement strategies to promote the rationale rational and safe use of medicines in healthcare.

Use and maintain pharmaceutical equipment in an industrial setting.

Promote good dispensing and pharmacy practices in a pharmacy setting.

Effectively control the medicine supply system at the health facility.

Design and conduct medicine use audits and research at the health facility.

Assist the pharmacist in the provision of pharmaceutical information.

Design and implement Standard Operating Procedures to control the quality of medicines and services.

Implement the basic concepts of primary healthcare-related to a pharmacy.

Organise and conduct activities in quality analysis and pharmaceutical sciences.

Assist in the regulatory process of the registration of medicines.

Competently administer and undertake management duties in a pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist.

Competently contribute to the therapeutic committee at a primary healthcare facility.

Many, though not all of these competencies, correspond with the competencies of this qualification.

Conclusion:
The qualifications from all the countries identified resonate substantially with the South African qualification. There is a paucity of information on the nature and structure of the qualifications. The New Zealand qualification compares most favourably with this qualification.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification has the following articulation possibilities.

Horizontal Articulation:

Further Education and Training Certificate: Administration, NQF Level 4.

Vertical Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist's Assistant (Post Basic), NQF Level 5.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

Qualifying for external assessment:
In order to qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required standards employing statements of results and work experience. Foundational Learning Competence for the Pharmacy Assistant (Basic).

Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
Must be sighted.

Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements.
None.

Criteria for the Accreditation of Providers:

Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.

Encompassed Trades:

This qualification is not trade-related.

Assessment Quality Partner (AQP):

South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC).

Parent Qualification:

Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist Assistant (Post Basic), Level 5.

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.

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