PHARMACY IN "UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO" & ''UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN CAPE

University of Limpopo(medunsa campus)

 

The University of Limpopo is a university in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. It was formed on 1 January 2005, by the merger of the University of the North and the Medical University of South Africa (MEDUNSA). These previous institutions form the Turfloop and MEDUNSA campuses of the university, respectively. 

PHARMACY SCHOOL:

This problem-based BPharm course is at present the only one of its kind in South Africa. The strategy of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is in line with the national policy of Outcomes Based Education, since it is aimed at producing professional pharmacists equipped to practice effectively, immediately on completion of the degree.

Pharmacists are the custodians of medicines and contribute to good patient care by offering counselling and education about the safe, effective use of medicines.They help ensure that all medicines are of high and consistent quality.

Duration

Four years, with an additional internship year and community service year to be completed before registration as a pharmacist.

Career Opportunities

Community Pharmacy, Primary Health Care, Hospital Pharmacy, Public Service Practice, Industrial Pharmacy, Academic Pharmacy, Wholesale Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Research.

contact : 

 Mrs Lindi Mabope, Tel: (012) 521 4649/4745, Fax: (012) 521 4751   or
Mrs Hannelie Meyer (Course Coordinator), Tel. (012) 521 4741, Fax: (012) 521 4751

TURFLOOP CAMPUS:

The University of the North was established in 1959 under the apartheid regime's policy of separate ethnically-based institutions of higher learning policy. The university was sited at Turfloop farm about 40 km east of Pietersburg. The town that grew around the university was named Sovenga, (Sotho, Venda, Tsonga) for the three ethnic groups that were supposed to study there. In reality, most inhabitants refer to the town as Mankweng, after one of the chiefs of the area. Under later apartheid, UNIN served as a "model" university where dignitaries were brought to show the "viability" of the separate facilities. As such, it received heavy government subsidies, but the real problem was that the students that the university supposedly served were so under-resourced in their standard education that the quality of instruction was placed under incredible demands.

The university was a center of resistance to apartheid in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s with the SADF occupying the grounds often during those years. After the end of apartheid, the university struggled through various re-organization and rationalization schemes, yet always managed to survive. Enrollment fluxuated wildly in the years after liberation and while some faculty did not transition very easily, others were able to seize upon the new opportunities.

The University of Limpopo is the result of a merger between the former Medical University of Southern Africa and the University of the North, which merger occurred on 1 January 2005.

The Medical University of Southern Africa (MEDUNSA) was established in 1976 to provide tertiary education and training facilities to the educationally disadvantaged in the fields of Medicine, Allied Health and Nursing Sciences, and Dentistry intended to meet the health needs of the country..

The Campus is situated to the north-west of Pretoria. Its grounds extend over some 350 ha adjoining the Ga-Rankuwa Township and are easily accessible by roads and rail. Regular bus and taxi services operate between Pretoria and Dr George Mukhari Hospital as well as between Mabopane and Medunsa.

contact: 

Contact Details Telephone number :015 268 2356 / 2347 Fax number : 015 268 2523

University of the Western Cape

The University of the Western Cape is a public university located in the Bellville suburb of Cape Town, South Africa. It was established in 1960 by the South African government as a university for Coloured people only. Other universities near Cape Town are the University of Cape Town, (UCT, originally for English speaking whites) and the Stellenbosch University (originally for Afrikaans speaking whites). The establishing of UWC was a direct effect of the Separate University Education Bill of 1957. This law accomplished the segregation of higher education in South Africa. Coloured students were only allowed at a few non-white universities. In this period, other 'ethnical' universities, such as the University of Zululand and the University of the North, were founded as well. Since well before the end of apartheid in South Africa in 1994, it has been an integrated and multiracial institution. 

School of Pharmacy

Why Study Pharmacy?

Pharmacists have a responsibility to play meaningful roles in the healthcare of the people they serve. They do this through an emphasis on the correct and rational use of medicines and related products. There is also an acute shortage of and thus a great need for pharmacists in South Africa and in various other xountrie in the world. A B Pharm. Qualification can lead to many varied worldwide opportunities.

What is the duration of the curriculum?

The curriculum extends over four years. After obtaining the B.Pharm degree an internship of one year (in community, hospital or industry) or two years (academic) ensues. This is followed by a compulsory year of community service in the public hospital sector as a fully fledged pharmacist.

Career opportunities with a B.Pharm degree

Community Pharmacy – Pharmacists play a key roles in communities. They dispense medicines, advise patients on correct and rational use of medications and cosmetics, counsel people on health matters, perform diagnostics screening procedures and refer to othe health care workers for appropriate help. They often play leadership roles in the communities they serve .

Hospital Pharmacy – Pharmacists in this setting compound and dispense medicines and counsel patients. They may also be involved in small scale manufacture of specialized medicines such as radio-active pharmaceuticals, total parenteral  nutrition preparations and injectables. Drug supply management is also handled.

Industrial Pharmacy – Pharmacist in this setting are involved  in the manufacture , quality control, packaging, storage, registration and marketing of all types of medicines such as tablets, suppositories, injections and syrups. They usually assume supervisory or other leadership positions in this arena.

Academic Pharmacy – Pharmacists may wish to pursue a career in academic pharmacy, which involves teaching university students and researching relevant issues for the further development and progress of the profession.

Other career options are – Professional medicines detailing for pharmaceutical companies (people appointed as pharmaceutical representatives) ; clinical research associates to assist in drug clinical trials, consultants to medical aids and other pharmaceutical institutions and businesses . Opportunities also exist in the field of regulatory and professional organizations associated with pharmacy, and, I the fields of cosmetics, food and beverages manufacturing and marketing.

Skills acquired

-          Develop sound communication and writing skills

-          Develop interpersonal skills

-          Develop critical thinking abilities

-          Acquire sound laboratory technique

B.Pharm I enrolment is limited to 140 students. We are the only School of Pharmacy in the Western Cape

Degrees

-          B.Pharm.

-          M.Pharm.

-          M.Sc (Pharmaceutical Science)

-          Ph.D.

-          D.Pharm.

CONTACT:

UWC Contact Centre
		Telephone :	+27 21 959 3900 : Prospective Students
		Telephone :	+27 21 959 3901 : Current Students
		Telephone :	+27 21 959 3902 : Parents and Sponsors
		Telephone :	+27 21 959 3903 : Alumni and Employers
		Telephone :	+27 21 959 2911 : General Information
UWC Postal Address
		Postal Address :	University of the Western Cape
			Private Bag X17 Bellville 7535 Republic of South Africa
UWC Physical Address
		Physical Address :	University of the Western Cape
			Modderdam Road Bellville 7535 Republic of South Africa
UWC Website Enquiries
		Email Address :	servicedesk@uwc.ac.za