SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Master of Pharmacy

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
9479	Master of Pharmacy
ORIGINATOR
University of Witwatersrand
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Master's Degree	Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services		Promotive Health and Developmental Services
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	180	Level 8 and above	NQF Level 09	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered		EXCO 0733/25	2024-06-30	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2031-06-30

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

The purpose of the qualification is to produce graduates with specialist training in the branch of Clinical Hospital Pharmacy who are competent in:

Custodians of medicine

Distributors and controllers of safe, effective, and quality medicine

Providers of referral services

Providers of health care education and information

In addition, the qualification will also produce graduates with research expertise, which includes the ability to evaluate and implement research findings in the practice of the branch of specialisation and the ability to guide junior candidates if the graduate is in an educational setting. Hence, graduates have competence in the practice of a specialist field and can contribute to the need for specialist practice and research skills in Pharmacy in South Africa.

Hence, graduates have competence in the practice of a specialist field and can contribute to the need for primary, secondary, and tertiary health care in South Africa. The specialist fields include pharmaceutical care, Clinical Laboratory Tests, Pharmacokinetics, Psychopharmacotherapy, and the following Pharmacotherapeutic fields: Infectious Diseases, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, Endocrine, Renal, and Oncology.

Rationale:
The qualification equips graduates with advanced skills in specialist pharmaceutical practice in the South African Health Care Sector. In this way, the qualification meets the needs of the South African health care services to provide specialist-level care and address the burden of disease within the country.

The qualification enables the graduate to seek employment in the areas of:

Community pharmacy

Industrial pharmacy

Managed health care

Academia and research

Typical learners who enrol in this qualification are already qualified Pharmacists and are seeking further specialisation in the fields of Pharmaceutics or Pharmacology. Learners graduating in Pharmaceutics will have specialised in the formulation of drugs for optimal delivery, and those in pharmacology will have specialised in studying the physiological and biochemical effects of drugs. Qualifying learners may proceed to Doctoral studies.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition Of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy, which is applicable with regard to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules, and credits towards the qualification.

RPL for access:

To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal, and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations, should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption from modules

Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module and accepted.

Entry Qualifications
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Bachelor of Pharmacy, NQF Level 8.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory module, NQF Level 9, 180 Credits:

Dissertation, 180 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate competence in drug knowledge, application, and health care strategies at an advanced level
2. Evaluate, teach, and implement research findings in the practice of the branch specialisation.
3. Apply ethical, compassionate, and skilled ability to conduct all aspects of specialist pharmacy practice, both in relation to the care of individuals and of populations.
4. Assess the principles and practice of pharmacy from the basic to the advanced level and can train others in the specialty.
5. Demonstrate self-direction and independence in his or her learning to become a lifelong learner, and will recognise personal education needs, utilise appropriate learning situations, and evaluate her or his own progress.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Select appropriate medicines for the relief and control of acute and chronic medical conditions

Counsel patients effectively concerning their disease

Prescribe suitable quantities of medicine to patients

Use problem-solving techniques, which draw on a multi-faceted knowledge, to arrive at a diagnosis for a patient

Communicate efficiently and effectively with the patient, other health care workers, and the community, e.g., to obtain a history, to communicate a treatment regimen, and to explain the medical condition

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Show research expertise through the production of a research report or dissertation which demonstrates skills including the research methodology, ability to evaluate research, review literature, design and perform a study, collect data, perform and interpret statistical analyses on data, interpret results, and draw conclusions

Conduct all research with due regard for the moral, legal, and ethical accountability and requirements of the profession

Practice "Evidence-based pharmacy" by critically evaluating all the published literature in the field and applying it to practice

Guide junior candidates who are studying or working in the same branch of specialisation

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Show respect for patients and colleagues without prejudice, with an understanding and appreciation of their diversities of background and opportunity, language, and culture

Refer patients to practitioners who are more appropriately qualified than he or she to treat certain conditions

Demonstrate an awareness, through actions or in writing, of the moral, legal, and ethical responsibilities involved in individual patient care and the provision of care to populations
ż Consider both the impact of health care on the environment as well as the impact of the environment on health
ż Strive to improve patient care, to reduce inequalities in health care delivery, to optimise the use of health care resources in our society and use his or her professional capabilities to contribute to the community as well as to individual patient welfare by the practice of pharmacy.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
ż Teach the application of knowledge from the basic to the advanced level to other professionals
ż Communicate this knowledge by teaching more junior colleagues in the specialty

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
ż Use appropriate strategies for learning that will prepare them for continued professional development throughout life, both as a pharmacist and as a responsible citizen
ż Take responsibility for continued professional development (CPD) to keep up to date with new developments
ż Identify personal limitations and develop the capacity of self-audit and participate in the peer review process, showing willingness to seek help when necessary.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
The degree is by dissertation only; this serves as the medium for integrated assessment. The protocol is the first form of assessment assessed by assessors from the faculty. The progress of the research is continuously assessed by the supervisor, who will provide feedback. The final dissertation will be examined by an internal and external examiner.

The assessment criteria for each ELO will be addressed in the dissertation. Research methodologies will be assessed based on research design, research setting, data analysis, and understanding of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies. The ethical components will be assessed based on ethical principles, scientific validity, justice, non-maleficence, beneficence and informed consent.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered.

Country: Australia
Institution: University of Technology Sydney
Qualification: Master of Pharmacy

Similarities (both qualifications):
The qualification involves integrated research across different disciplines in pharmacy. It is a 2-year full-time and 4-year part-time program. The program provides the students with a comprehensive understanding of different aspects of pharmacy, which enables critical thinking. This qualification gives learners the opportunity to work with leading national and international researchers in their area of interest to develop and complete an original research project that contributes to knowledge. Learners gain research training and skills, as well as develop extensive knowledge and expertise in an area of research. Learners are supported by a strong and vibrant research culture, both within the school and the university, and have access to other researchers, a wide variety of workshops, the university library, and research facilities.

Differences: No differences

Country: United Kingdom
Institution: University of Reading
Qualification: Master of Pharmacy

Similarities (both qualifications):
They are both offered as a Master of Pharmacy by research with a duration of one-year year. Learners take some course components in preparation for the research, which takes up the larger part of the qualification.

The two qualifications prepare learners for pharmacists wanting to combine research with a career in community, hospital, primary-care pharmacy, or education and training. Both qualifications instil learners with high-level research skills and prepare them for doctoral research.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Master of Science, NQF Level 9.

Master of Health Sciences Education, NQF Level 9

Vertical Articulation:

Doctor of Philosophy, NQF Level 10.

Diagonal Articulation
There are no diagonal articulation options available on the OQSF on levels 7 and 9.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015.

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.

1.	University of Witwatersrand