The South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) has started a process to review the Pharmacy Human Resources Plan for South Africa and tackle shortcomings, including the pharmacist-to-population ratio – way below the global average and WHO recommendation of 1:2 300.
In a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Health last week, the SAPC said these include pharmaceutical services not being offered on a 24-hour basis in most hospitals; and pharmacist unemployment levels, despite a pressing need for pharmaceutical services. Also coming under the spotlight were council salaries and “corporate creep”.
On the shortage of pharmacists in rural areas, the SAPC said pharmacists were distributed in line with the population.
“When people apply for a licence, we make sure they are not concentrated in urban areas and townships only, but also in rural areas,” said Mogologolo Phasha, SAPC President.
Responding to the committee’s observation about black-owned pharmacies and what looks like a takeover by big companies, Phasha said the “corporate invasion” escalated when legislation was promulgated allowing non-pharmacists to open pharmacies. “
He said a study had been commissioned by the University of North West about ownership regulation, and the report was expected in July.
Committee chairperson Faith Muthambi expressed concern about the SAPC’s salary bill of R82m, which is 58% of the revenue, saying this was above the 33% norm and asking if it were sustainable.
“The work we do is service-based. We need people to provide the service. We have no other expenditure besides salaries and people. The salary bill is capped at 60% and it is closely monitored by council,” replied SAPC registrar Vincent Tlala.
Quizzed about why patient information leaflets in medication packages were mainly in English and Afrikaans, the SAPC said this was the responsibility of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority and that the law allowed for any two official languages to be used.
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