Undergraduate pharmacy education in two countries in the southern hemisphere
Written by: Shirley-Anne Boschmans, Therése Kairuz • May 10 2009• Volume 9 - Issue 1•
Abstract
The aim of this article is to present information related to pharmacy practice and education in two countries, South Africa and New Zealand, where there is currently a small migration of pharmacists from the former to the latter. The pharmacy profession in both countries is under the statutory regulation of a pharmacy council, and a society is responsible for professional aspects. The councils also play an important role in undergraduate pharmacy education, and tertiary institutions are responsible for the curricula. Externships and indigenous health programmes are important elements of education at both institutions cited in this article (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and The University of Auckland). Compulsory community service for pharmacists has been introduced in South Africa, while New Zealand is pioneering Continued Professional Development linked to competency and annual pharmacist registration. The information presented in this article may stimulate discussion and collaboration between members of the pharmacy profession across geographical borders.
