THE SOUTH AFRICAN PHARMACY COUNCIL

591 Belvedere Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083; Private Bag X40040, Arcadia, 0007; [Link]
Tel: 0861 7272 00; Fax: 27 (12) 321 1479; E-mail: customercare@[Link] 2018

APPLIED PROFESSIONAL PHARMACY

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THE SOUTH AFRICAN PHARMACY COUNCIL
591 Belvedere Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083; Private Bag X40040, Arcadia, 0007; [Link]
Tel: 0861 7272 00; Fax: 27 (12) 321 1479; E-mail: customercare@[Link] 2018

APPLIED PROFESSIONAL PHARMACY PRACTICE AND PHARMACY ADMINISTRATION

EXAMINATION

The examination in applied professional pharmacy practice and pharmacy administration consists of
two parts i.e. a section based on pharmacy administration and a section based on professional pharmacy
practice case study and practice scenario questions. Candidates are allowed three (3) hours to complete the
examination. The examination is in an open book format and consists of multiple choice questions, although
long questions may also be included where appropriate. Thus there is no restriction on reference sources,
except that candidates may consult only those references they themselves have chosen to bring into the
examination. Copies of past examination papers may be requested from Council.

PHARMACY ADMINISTRATION

INTRODUCTION

The pharmacist has a management responsibility for part or all of the pharmacy organisation and is required
to have an understanding of the principles of management to deal with contingencies in the pharmacy as
well as the routine functions required of the pharmacist. The pharmacist is responsible for the performance
of others as well as for the pharmacy systems, processes and tasks. These principles are equally important
in the financial, marketing and human resource components of pharmacy administration to ensure the
continued delivery of safe and effective pharmaceutical services to the patient.

The importance of pharmacy administration is emphasised in the study of general management principles,
financial management, human resource management and utilisation, the principles of leadership and
participation in a work team and in the training of staff members to ensure that effective medicine distribution
and utilisation occurs.

SELECTED REFERENCES

Several reference sources exist that will provide candidates with sufficient background information to
develop an understanding of the principles of management and pharmacy administration which will enable
them to sit the Professional Examination. A selection has been made from texts that are readily available.
The following texts are prescribed, however, as the principal references for pharmacy administration:

(a) Introduction to Business Management, Latest Edition., Cronje, du Toit & Motlatla.

(b) Communication Skills in Pharmacy Practice, 6th Edition., Tindall, W.N., Beardsley, R.S &
Kimberlain, C.L. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, 2012

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THE SOUTH AFRICAN PHARMACY COUNCIL
591 Belvedere Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083; Private Bag X40040, Arcadia, 0007; [Link]
Tel: 0861 7272 00; Fax: 27 (12) 321 1479; E-mail: customercare@[Link] 2018

AIMS OF THE PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION IN PHARMACY ADMINISTRATION

The aim of the Professional Examination in pharmacy administration is to evaluate the knowledge and
understanding of candidates in applying organisational skills in pharmacy practice and embraces general
management principles, the functional management of an organisation, human resource management and
financial management relating to pharmacy practice. The examination also evaluates the understanding of
communication techniques and the ability of the candidate to relate to interactions between pharmacists,
other health care professionals and patients.

1. General management principles

The candidate must have an understanding of the following components of basic management
principles:

(a) basics of business management;

(b) planning, implementing and managing operational plans and projects;

(c) leadership and teamwork in the management process;

(d) control and planning in the management process cycle;

(e) management principles involved in the procurement, storage and distribution of medicines and
other pharmaceutical products;

(f) basic principles in record keeping, statistical methodologies and research methods to ensure
optimum medicine supplies to the patient and/or community.

2. The functional management of an organisation

The candidate must have an understanding of the following components of functional management
principles:

(a) basics of marketing management including marketing concepts and objectives;

(b) managerial tasks in marketing management including planning, organising, providing leadership
and controlling marketing efforts;

(c) marketing strategies including the environment, target markets, utilising marketing information
and marketing instruments in marketing strategies.

3. Financial management relating to pharmacy practice

The candidate must have an understanding of the following components of financial management
principles:

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THE SOUTH AFRICAN PHARMACY COUNCIL
591 Belvedere Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083; Private Bag X40040, Arcadia, 0007; [Link]
Tel: 0861 7272 00; Fax: 27 (12) 321 1479; E-mail: customercare@[Link] 2018

(a) Nature and meaning of financial management including environmental factors that influence
financial management;

(b) Basic concepts and techniques in financial management including financial analysis and ratios,
planning and control;

(c) Concepts of assets, liabilities, debtor control and stock control;

(d) Short and long term financing of stock and other assets;

(e) Management of assets and the principles and implementation of budgeting techniques;

(f) Financial implications of procurement, storage and distribution of medicines.

4. Human resource management

Candidates are required to have a thorough knowledge and understanding of human resource
management and human resource utilisation:

(a) Key concepts of human resource management function;

(b) Human resource management functions within the pharmacy including human resource
recruitment, maintenance, activities and utilisation;

(c) Basic principles in training and development of human resources;

(d) Managing workplace performance of pharmacy personnel.

5. Communication

Candidates must have an understanding of:

(a) Basic principles in communication and the provision of information;

(b) Communication techniques, including the ability to apply technological advances in

(c) Effective communication techniques between colleagues, other health care professionals and
patients.

PROFESSIONAL PHARMACY PRACTICE

INTRODUCTION

Professional pharmacy practice encompasses the pharmacy situational problems and requests for
information of a nature likely to be encountered in the every-day practice of the community, hospital or
industry pharmacist. It includes all the principles implicated in the process whereby the pharmacist supplies
medicines for humans or animals on the prescription of an authorised prescriber or in pharmacist initiated
therapy. Professional judgement and responsibility are crucial to ensure that pharmacy is practised in a
professional and ethical manner.
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THE SOUTH AFRICAN PHARMACY COUNCIL
591 Belvedere Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083; Private Bag X40040, Arcadia, 0007; [Link]
Tel: 0861 7272 00; Fax: 27 (12) 321 1479; E-mail: customercare@[Link] 2018

SELECTED REFERENCES

Several reference sources exist that will provide candidates with sufficient background information to
develop an understanding of the principles of professional pharmacy practice which will enable them to sit for
the Professional Examination. A selection has been made from texts that should be readily available in the
pharmacy and will provide useful background reading for candidates:

(a) South African Medicines Formulary. Latest edition.;

(b) Standard Treatment Guidelines (Department of Health South Africa).

[Link]
list/category/285-phc?download=2392:primary-healthcare-level-2014
(c) The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. Latest Edition. Merck & Co. Inc. Rathway.

(d) Daily Drug Use. Talmud, J., Latest Edition. Tincture Press. Cape Town;

(e) Symptoms in Pharmacy, by A. Blenkinsop.

(f) Community Pharmacy: Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. 4th edition. Rutter Paul.

AIMS OF THE PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION IN PROFESSIONAL PHARMACY PRACTICE

The aim of the Professional Examination in professional pharmacy practice is to evaluate the knowledge and
understanding of candidates in ensuring the provision of safe, rational and appropriate use of medicine,
health care education and information, essential clinical services including screening and referral services,
cost-effective and efficient pharmaceutical services and pharmaceutical care, by taking responsibility for the
outcome of therapy and being actively involved in the design, implementation and monitoring of
pharmaceutical plans. The examination also evaluates the understanding of candidates of the commitment
of the profession to high standards of competence, professionalism and co-operation with health care teams
and patients in order to serve the interests of the patient.

1. Dispense and ensure the optimal use of medicines prescribed to the patient

The candidate must have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the following aspects of
dispensing and the provision of medicines to a patient or caregiver including, inter alia:

(a) Prescription reading;

(b) Pharmacist medication reviews and intervention;

(c) Labelling and dispensing of medicines;

(d) Calculation of doses for adults, children and infants;

(e) Providing emergency supplies of medicines;

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THE SOUTH AFRICAN PHARMACY COUNCIL
591 Belvedere Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083; Private Bag X40040, Arcadia, 0007; [Link]
Tel: 0861 7272 00; Fax: 27 (12) 321 1479; E-mail: customercare@[Link] 2018

2. Safe, rational and appropriate use of medicines

The candidate must have a thorough knowledge of medicines and the effects of medicines to ensure
the optimal use of medicines by the patient including, inter alia:

(a) Drug interactions;

(b) Side-effects of prescribed medicines;

(c) Effects of polypharmacy in medicine therapy;

(d) Correct use and storage of prescribed medicines;

(e) Medicines used during pregnancy and breast-feeding;

(f) Medicines used in young children and the elderly.

3. Health care education and information

The candidate must have a thorough knowledge of the actions and effects of medicines in health
care to provide information and ensure the optimal use of medicines by the patient including, inter
alia:

(a) Information on the correct storage and supply of drugs, medicines and chemicals;

(b) Appropriate drug therapy for individual patients;

(c) Correct use of prescribed and non-prescribed medicines;

(d) Drug interactions and side-effects of drugs;

(e) Use of medicines during pregnancy, breast-feeding and the aged;

(f) Advice on the use of therapeutic goods and appliances;

(g) Counselling and educating patients on the promotion of good health and reduction of
incidence of illness;

(h) Non-drug management, including no treatment and/or referral to other health care
professionals;

(i) Maintaining healthy lifestyles and disease prophylaxis.

4. Essential clinical services including screening and referral services

The candidate must have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the aspects of treatment,
referral, screening and education in primary health care and public health campaigns including, inter
alia:

(a) Blood pressure testing;

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THE SOUTH AFRICAN PHARMACY COUNCIL
591 Belvedere Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083; Private Bag X40040, Arcadia, 0007; [Link]
Tel: 0861 7272 00; Fax: 27 (12) 321 1479; E-mail: customercare@[Link] 2018

(b) Cholesterol screening tests;

(c) Diabetes and blood glucose screening tests;

(d) Pregnancy testing;

(e) HIV testing;

(f) Urine analysis, where appropriate;

(g) First aid measures, where appropriate.

5. Principles of pharmaceutical care

The candidate must have an understanding of the aspects of the outcomes of therapy and the
design, implementation and monitoring of pharmaceutical plans including, inter alia:

(a) Promoting and contributing to rational drug use;

(b) Designing, implementing and participating in pharmaceutical care plans in drug therapy selection
and drug usage;

(c) Monitoring and assessing the drug therapy of patients;

(d) Evaluating drug usage and optimising health outcomes;

(e) Providing drug information to patients, caregivers and other health care professionals to ensure
the optimal use of medicines;

(f) Participating in therapeutic and drug utilisation review committees.

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