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: Health Products Information Officer

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
118738	Occupational Certificate: Health Products Information Officer
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - CHIETA
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Part-Qualification	Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services		Curative Health
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	77	Not Applicable	NQF Level 05	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered		EXCO 0522/24	2022-02-03	2025-12-31
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-31		2029-12-31

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 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 qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as Health Products Information Officer. The Health Products Information Officer supports the medical advisory and/or product specialist team and/or regulatory compliance team to research, collate, analyse and represent information related to health products that the company sells and/or health products that are deemed competitor products. In addition, the Health Products Information Officer will provide informational support and manage the safety profile of assigned health products. A competent learner shall demonstrate among others the following attributes: honesty, integrity, punctuality, business acumen, self-motivated, responsibility, accountability, interpersonal relations, ethical behaviour, well organised, self-confidence, etc.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Identify, search and study health products information.

Prepare and present health products information

Handle objections related to health products information

Manage safety profile of health products

Rationale:
This part-qualification is for learners who have entered the area of health products sales representation. 'Health Products' include medicines, medical products, medical devices, scheduled substances and other health products and devices in accordance with the relevant current legislation. This area involves visiting and presenting information about health products to health care professionals with the purpose of generating sales through the prescribing dispensing and use of the products. Since medical doctors, veterinarians and pharmacists comprise many potential clients, the industry requires well-trained individuals who can provide accurate product information to potential customers but who can also adapt their communication styles to suit each individual customer's needs. The part-qualification is intended to produce credible ethical and informed health products sales representatives who will be able to take specific product knowledge to the customer.

The health products industry recognised a need to formalise the marketing of health products in line with international trends and current legislation as well as industry codes. This need includes the provision of well-researched information on current and new products to the health care industry so that consumers can receive effective safe and high-quality health products. Health products marketing support scope was identified as critical within the occupation, hence the qualification, Health Products Marketing Associate.

National legislation and associated regulations govern the sale and marketing of health products. A qualification for health products sales representation which is approved by the relevant bodies, and which enables the qualifying learner to provide a health sales service within a recommended scope of practice is therefore required.
Recent developments in the health products industry and managed health care require that health products Information Officers have a wide knowledge of the efficacy safety and cost effectiveness of the health products available as well as the ability to convey selected information to customers. Meeting this requirement means that the qualifying learner will have the ability to access and utilise research findings. With this qualification as a basis the qualifying learner can progress into marketing and/or sales management and/or specialisation in clinical research or other areas.

This part-qualification will provide the basis for personal growth and the development of entrepreneurial skills which will contribute to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) particularly in health care. Within the pharmaceutical and health sub-sector health products sales representation has been identified as a scarce skill. Addressing the related skills gap will enlarge the pool of skilled persons for development into managerial and executive positions within the sub-sector.

Marketing Code Authority and Health Products Association were consulted in the development of the qualification.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification.

Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be credited for modules through 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.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this part-qualification is:

NQF Level 4 qualification.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This part-qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:

Knowledge Modules

243302-000-00-KM-01, Anatomy and Physiology, Level 5, 15 Credits.

243302-000-00-KM-02, Health Interventions, Level 5, 5 Credits.

243302-000-00-KM-03, Legal Requirements and Ethics in the Pharmaceutical Industry, Level 5, 4 Credits.

243302-000-00-KM-04, Ethical Codes of Practice relating to Health Products, Level 5, 1 Credits.

243302-000-00-KM-06, Sales of Health Products, Level 5, 5 Credits.

243302-000-00-KM-07, Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Relationships and Communication, Level 5, 5 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 35

Practical Skill Modules

243302-000-00-PM-03, Apply Product and Other Relevant Knowledge during Health Products Sales, Level 5, 14 Credits.

243302-000-00-PM-04, Sell Health Products to Achieve Targets, Level 5, 8 Credits.

243302-000-00-PM-05, Plan Events and Present Information on Health Products, Level 5, 4 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 26

Work Experience Modules

243302-000-00-WM-04, Events and Presentations, Level 5, 6 Credits.

243302-000-00-WM-05, Induction and Company Policy Procedures and Product Specific Training, Level 5, 10 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 16

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Analyse global and local health products market information to track market trends and comply with legislation and industry codes.
2. Apply product and other relevant knowledge in the sales process.
3. Communicate assimilated information to the customer within the regulated health care environment.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Describe managed health care in South Africa in terms of the health care environment and funding approach.

Apply industry legislation and/or codes.

Identify and implement ethical principles.

Apply the principles of pharmaco-economics to clinical trial outcomes to demonstrate cost-effectiveness of health products to the customer.

Implement marketing strategy for the organisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Apply anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology in the sales process.

Contextualise and apply principles of pharmacology and pharmaceutics in relation to health products information.

Identify, evaluate, and utilise internal and external resources to achieve a competitive advantage.

Interpret and utilise clinical trials to achieve a competitive advantage.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Plan, develop and deliver presentations appropriate to the context and event.

Plan, organise and execute an event according to social protocol 's applicable codes and legislation.

Apply environmentally sustainable practices during organised events.

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 together with work experience leads to entrance in the integrated external summative assessment.

Integrated Summative Assessment
An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria.

The assessment will be conducted through written assessment and the evaluation of practical tasks at decentralised approved assessment sites by a panel of assessors evaluated by assessor(s) registered with the AQP within a period of 1 day.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

In recognition of the reality of globalisation of the pharmaceutical industry - from a wide geographical sweep - the following countries have been identified as representative of the developed and developing worlds:

India
The Indian Institute of Pharmaceutical Marketing is an institutional member of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association. It has been set up with a view to serve the demand of trained marketing personnel/ executives in this sector of the corporate world. It offers a programme in Pharmaceutical Marketing Management which cover the following: Pharmaceutical Marketing Management; Pharma Selling; Anatomy Physiology and Pharmacology; Pharma Product Management; Pharma Distribution Management; Customer Behaviour; Advertising; Pharmaceutical Marketing Communication; Market Research; Drug Laws; Economics; Manufacturing Practices in Pharmaceutical Industry; Quality Control Management; Production Planning; Fundamentals of Management and Practical Training and Case Studies and Introduction to Information Technology.

United Kingdom
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) is the trade association representing manufacturers of prescription medicines. The Code has been regularly revised since its inception in 1958 and is drawn up in consultation with the British Medical Association, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, the Royal College of Nursing and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency of the Department of Health. The Code is accepted by global pharmaceutical companies.

The Generic Sales Representatives Examination is appropriate for and must be taken by representatives who promote medicines primarily on the basis of price, quality and availability. The ABPI examinations for medical representatives and generic sales representatives are based on a syllabus published by the ABPI which covers appropriate subjects such as body systems, disease processes, pharmacology, the classification of medicines and pharmaceutical technology. Information on the National Health Service and pharmaceutical industry forms an additional core part of the syllabus.

The syllabus is complementary to and may be incorporated within the company's induction training which is provided to representatives as a pre-requisite to carrying out their function. The syllabus includes: The industry and the Code of Practice; The human body, pathology and pharmacology; Body systems; Cardiovascular; Respiratory; Central nervous system; Digestive; Musculo-skeletal; Endocrine; Urinary; Reproduction; Skin; Special senses.

Furthermore, candidates must select 3 subjects from the following list of topics: Arthritis and bone disease; Pharmacology; Oncology; Hypertension and Coronary Artery Disease; Dyslipidaemia; Respiratory diseases; Immunology; Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease; Depressive illness and schizophrenia; Gastro-duodenal diseases; Osteoporosis; Diabetes; Female reproductive health; Male reproductive health; Dermatology.

Conclusion
The Occupational Certificate: Health Products Information Officer compares favourably with both professional programmes from the two countries cited above, in terms of structure, competencies, covers the same content and are aimed at similar professional level.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This part-qualification provides opportunities for horizontal and vertical articulation options.

Horizontal Articulation:

Certificate: Commerce: Marketing Management, NQF Level 5.

Vertical Articulation:

Higher Diploma: Commerce: Marketing Management; NQF Level 6.

National Diploma: Business Studies: Marketing Management, NQF Level 6.

NOTES

Qualifying for External Assessment
To qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of a statement of results and statement of work experience as well as proof of successful completion of the following subjects and modules or alternative programmes where applicable.

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.

The curriculum title and code are: Health Products Marketing Associate: 243302-000-00-01.

Encompassed Trades
This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:
This is not a trade qualification.

Parent Qualification:

Health Products Sales Representative, NQF Level 5.

Related Part- Qualifications:

Occupational Certificate: Health Products Marketing Associate, NQF Level 5.

Occupational Certificate: Health Products Sales Associate, NQF Level 5.

Assessment Quality Partner (AQP)
Chemical Industries Education & Training Authority (CHIETA).

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION

None

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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