Pharmacy is a rewarding and fulfilling career that offers endless opportunities for growth and development. As a pharmacist in South Africa, you will have many opportunities to contribute to the healthcare system.
Many pharmacists are employed in community and institutional sectors working directly with patients to provide them with the best possible care. In these sectors you will be responsible for ensuring that medicines are prescribed and dispensed safely and accurately, as well as for counselling patients on the proper use of medicines. Additionally, you will work alongside other healthcare professionals to optimise patient outcomes and to improve quality of life.
In addition to working directly with patients to provide them with the best possible care, you may also play a role in manufacturing and wholesale pharmacy. In the manufacturing sector, you will be responsible for ensuring that medicines are produced adhering to strict quality control measures to ensure that they are safe, efficacious and of a high quality.
This involves working with raw materials and manufacturing equipment to produce a variety of pharmaceutical products. In the wholesale pharmacy sector, you will be involved in the distribution of medicines to pharmacies and other healthcare facilities. This involves managing inventory levels, coordinating deliveries, and ensuring that medicines are handled and stored appropriately.
Studying pharmacy can be challenging, but it is also highly rewarding. You will learn about a variety of subjects, including pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutics, and pharmacy practice. You will also gain valuable hands-on experience through clinical rotations and work-based learning modules, which will prepare you for a successful career in the field. At the Pharmacy Department of the Nelson Mandela University, we take pride in our ability to transfer our expertise in all sectors of pharmacy to our students. We are mostly proud of the clinical pharmacy skills that our graduates attain. We have strong relationships with industry partners, this gives students a unique glimpse into the world of pharmaceutical manufacturing. Along with these clinical and technical skills, team work, compassion and care for our fellow man are instilled.
As you embark on your journey to become a pharmacist, I encourage you to stay motivated and committed to your goals. Remember that the road ahead may be long, but the rewards of a career in pharmacy are well worth the effort.