CHE and SAPC Formalise Collaboration to Strengthen Pharmacy Education Quality Assurance Standards in South Africa

The Council on Higher Education (CHE) and the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) have taken a significant step forward in elevating the standards of pharmacy training across South Africa. On 27 January 2026, the two bodies formalised their partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), aimed at bolstering quality assurance in pharmacy education and training. This collaboration addresses longstanding needs in aligning academic accreditation with professional registration requirements, ensuring that graduates from South African universities are fully prepared to meet the demands of the healthcare sector.

In a nation where access to quality pharmaceutical services is crucial, particularly in underserved rural and public health facilities, this MoA promises streamlined processes and enhanced oversight. Pharmacy education, which typically culminates in a four-year Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) degree at NQF Level 8, has faced challenges including internship shortages and workforce maldistribution. The agreement seeks to harmonise efforts, reducing duplication and fostering a more efficient system that benefits students, educators, and patients alike.

As South Africa's healthcare system grapples with rising demands from chronic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and an ageing population, competent pharmacists play a pivotal role. This development comes at a timely juncture, potentially mitigating recent issues like the internship crisis affecting hundreds of 2025 graduates.

Background: The Evolving Landscape of Pharmacy Education in South Africa

Pharmacy education in South Africa has undergone substantial transformation since the end of apartheid, shifting towards outcomes-based curricula aligned with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The CHE, established under the Higher Education Act of 1997, serves as the Quality Council for Higher Education, responsible for setting standards, accrediting programmes, and conducting quality reviews for all higher education qualifications, including those in pharmacy offered by universities.

Complementing this, the SAPC, governed by the Pharmacy Act 53 of 1974 (as amended), regulates the pharmacy profession. It develops entry-level competencies, approves education providers, and oversees professional training, including the mandatory one-year internship required for registration as a pharmacist. Historically, overlaps in their mandates have led to inefficiencies, prompting this formal collaboration.

Currently, nine universities offer SAPC-approved BPharm programmes: North-West University (Potchefstroom campus with 776 students enrolled as of early 2026), Nelson Mandela University (441 students), University of the Witwatersrand, University of Cape Town, University of the Western Cape, University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Pretoria, Rhodes University, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, and University of Limpopo. These institutions produce around 500-600 graduates annually, though exact figures fluctuate based on Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) data.

Key Provisions of the CHE-SAPC Memorandum of Agreement

The five-year MoA outlines a structured framework for cooperation, establishing a joint steering committee to oversee implementation. Core areas include:

• Alignment in accrediting and reviewing pharmacy programmes to ensure consistency between academic and professional standards.
• Joint development and review of qualification standards via Communities of Practice, incorporating input from educators, practitioners, and stakeholders.
• Coordinated national and targeted quality reviews to identify and address gaps proactively.
• Information sharing on quality concerns, enabling swift responses without redundant audits.
• Collaborative research, conferences, and knowledge platforms to advance best practices in pharmacy education quality assurance.
• Communication protocols for joint statements on public interest matters.

Dr Whitfield Green, CEO of the CHE, emphasised: “This agreement represents an important step in strengthening collaboration... to enhance alignment, reduce duplication and ensure that pharmacy qualifications meet both national academic standards and the needs of professional practice and society.” Similarly, SAPC Registrar Vincent Tlala stated: “The Memorandum of Agreement affirms our shared commitment... ensuring pharmacy graduates are competent, ethical and well prepared to contribute meaningfully to the healthcare system.”

Addressing Current Challenges in Pharmacy Training

South Africa's pharmacy sector faces acute workforce challenges. Despite producing sufficient graduates, only about 15-20% work in the public sector, leading to shortages in rural areas and primary healthcare clinics. A February 2026 report highlighted an internship crisis, with hundreds of Class of 2025 BPharm graduates unable to secure state-funded placements, particularly in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, due to Department of Health budget cuts.

This bottleneck delays professional registration, exacerbating unemployment among qualified youth—estimated at over 40% for under-35s nationally. The CHE-SAPC collaboration could mitigate this by refining programme outcomes to better match labour market needs, such as emphasising clinical pharmacy, pharmacovigilance, and community service competencies.

Employability data from DHET's 2021 post-school statistics (latest comprehensive) shows health sciences fields, including pharmacy, with 73% completion rates for four-year degrees, but tracer studies reveal mismatches: many graduates prefer urban retail over public service due to better remuneration.

Impact on South African Universities Offering Pharmacy Degrees

For institutions like North-West University, the largest with over 700 students, the MoA means clearer accreditation pathways. Universities must now integrate SAPC's competency standards more seamlessly into curricula, potentially involving curriculum reviews every few years.

Rhodes University, known for its integrated BPharm covering biomedical, pharmaceutical, and clinical sciences, exemplifies proactive alignment. Similarly, Wits and UCT emphasise research-led training, which the collaboration could enhance through joint quality reviews.

Benefits include reduced administrative burdens—previously, programmes faced dual audits—and improved graduate outcomes. For example, NWU's high enrolments (423 first-years in 2026) underscore the need for robust QA to maintain public trust.

Explore higher education jobs in pharmacy faculties or university positions to see opportunities in these evolving programmes.

Stakeholder Perspectives: From Students to Practitioners

Pharmacy students at Nelson Mandela University welcome the MoA, viewing it as a safeguard against declining standards amid funding pressures. One anonymous NMU final-year student noted: “With internship spots drying up, stronger QA ensures our degrees hold value internationally too.”

Practitioners, represented by the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA), applaud the focus on ethical training, vital amid rising medicine counterfeiting. Academics highlight potential for Communities of Practice to incorporate emerging needs like digital health and AI in dispensing.

Government views it as supporting National Health Insurance (NHI) goals, where pharmacists expand roles in primary care.

Case Studies: Successes and Lessons from Existing Programmes

University of the Western Cape's BPharm, accredited by both bodies, boasts high employability (over 90% within six months), thanks to experiential learning at community clinics. Step-by-step, students progress from foundational sciences (Year 1-2: anatomy, pharmacology) to integrated practice (Year 3-4: rotations, internships).

Contrastingly, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University's tracer study (2015-2019 grads) showed 64% in entry-level roles, urging better career guidance—a gap the MoA's research pillar could address.

Future Outlook: Implications for Healthcare and Education

Over the next five years, expect refined BPharm standards incorporating patient-centred care, interprofessional education, and sustainability. The MoA could influence postgraduate programmes like MPharm in clinical pharmacy.

Addressing the internship crisis requires broader action, but enhanced QA will produce more adaptable graduates. Projections suggest a need for 1,500 additional pharmacists by 2030 to support NHI.

For aspiring pharmacists, check higher ed career advice or South African academic opportunities.

Photo by Fotos on Unsplash

Actionable Insights for Students, Educators, and Policymakers

• Students: Prioritise programmes with strong SAPC-CHE alignment; seek internships early via SAPC portal.
• Educators: Engage in Communities of Practice for curriculum innovation.
• Policymakers: Link funding to QA outcomes to resolve absorption gaps.

This MoA positions South African pharmacy education as a regional leader, fostering a resilient workforce.

In summary, the CHE-SAPC collaboration marks a proactive era. Aspiring professionals can rate faculty at Rate My Professor, search higher ed jobs, or explore career advice. Visit university jobs and post a job to connect with opportunities.