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 Sales Associate 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
118739  Occupational Certificate: Health Products Sales Associate 
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  112  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 part-qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as Health Products Sales Associate. The Health Products Sales Associate supports the Health Products Sales Representative and/or key accounts managers and/or Sales Managers in all sales and marketing activities. They are involved in identifying prospects, qualifying them, arranging introductions and meetings for Health Products Sales Representatives. The Health Products Sales Associate assists in maintaining current accounts and business expansion via marketing channels by employing various sales and marketing techniques such targeted emails and blasts calls, etc. 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 and qualify prospects.
  • Arrange introductions and meetings.
  • Promote health products to the public.
  • Service current accounts and expand business.

    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 dispensing prescribed and use of the products. Since medical doctors, veterinarians and pharmacists comprise the majority of potential clients. The industry requires well-trained individuals who can provide accurate product information to potential customers and 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 improve 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.

    National legislation and associated regulations govern the sale and marketing of health products. A part-qualification for health products sales representation, which is recognised 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.

    The health products industry and managed health care require health products sales representatives with a wide knowledge on the efficacy, safety, and cost effectiveness of the health products available and the ability to convey selected information to clients. The qualifying learner will have the ability to access and utilise research findings.
    With this part-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 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 health sub-sector.

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

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
  • Learners will gain access to the part-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 part-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-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 Credit.
  • 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: 30

    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.

    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 22

    Work Experience Modules
  • 243302-000-00-WM-03, Health Products Sales, Level 5, 60 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 60 

  • 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. Sell health products and services to achieve sales targets.
    4. Communicate assimilated information to the customer within the regulated health care environment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Describe a 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.
  • Access, analyse, evaluate, and compare available market data through appropriate tools.
  • Implement sales and pricing strategies as part of the marketing plan.
  • Apply the principles of pharmaco-economics to clinical trial outcomes to demonstrate cost-effectiveness of health products to the customer.
    > Analyse and implement competitor information to device marketing and pricing strategy.

    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.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Apply ethical principles to identify and solve problems in the related interactions with clients.
  • Apply code of conduct and ethics during interaction with customers and during sales activities.
  • Identify and apply selling skills appropriate to a given situation during client/customer interactions.
  • Apply principles of effective communication through the successful achievement of a sales visit objective.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Plan, develop and deliver presentations appropriate to the context and event.
  • Comply with Health and Safety measures when interacting with clients.
    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 part-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, which compares well with the part-qualification, 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 Sales Associate 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:
  • Diploma: Marketing, 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 Sales Associate: 243302-000-00-03.

    Encompassed Trades
    This part-qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:
    This is not a trade part-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 Information Officer NQF Level 5.

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

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS PART-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.
     
    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.