Pharmacy Act, 1974 (Act No. 53 of 1974)

The purpose of the supplementary training on family planning (reproductive health) is to equip pharmacists with the knowledge and expertise necessary to provide family planning (reproductive health) services. Training would provide pharmacists with an expanded scope of practice which will enable them to provide different family planning (reproductive health) services to the public. This would require pharmacists that provide family planning (reproductive health) services to have in-depth knowledge of reproductive health anatomy and physiology, be able to take a complete patient history, clinically evaluate relevant patient characteristics, have specialised knowledge of the various contraceptive methods, conceptualise different family planning interventions for different patient needs, and to monitor the outcomes of such interventions. These services should be provided in compliance with the relevant legal and regulatory standards, and in collaboration with other healthcare professionals where interaction and referral is required.