Various changes within the health care scenario require that serious attention is given to the pharmacy human resource needs. In order to make projections with respect to pharmacy human resources, it is, however, necessary to have accurate information regarding the current pharmacy human resources situation. Such knowledge is essential in the making of informed decisions and recommendations regarding the future of pharmacy in South Africa.
The objective of this report is to provide an overview of the production and distribution of human resources in pharmacy in South Africa. The current situation is also compared with previous information where possible.
For this purpose a literature review was undertaken in order to obtain the necessary background information. Collection of data was also done by inter alia using information from the Interim Pharmacy Council of South Africas register as well as by the distribution of questionnaires to pharmacists, pharmacist interns, pharmacists assistants and the seven schools of pharmacy.
The information obtained indicated that there are at present 1,726 pharmacy students registered at the seven schools of pharmacy. These students are registered for the 2nd , 3rd and 4th year of study. The attrition rate from 2nd to 4th year is at present 19%, which raises concern and requires investigation. The total number of pharmacist interns currently registered with Council is 464. Comparative figures indicate a 58% increase in pharmacist intern numbers since 1994.
There are currently 10,089 pharmacists registered with Council of whom 83% are practising full-time. Although 406 new pharmacists registered between June 1997 and May 1998, the total number of pharmacists decreased, due to the fact that pharmacists are also removed from the register for a variety of reasons. The pharmacist : population ratio indicates that there is one pharmacist for every 3,752 people in South Africa, compared to the World Health Organisation average for industrialised countries of one pharmacist for 2,300 people. The situation is particularly problematic in the Northern Province with one pharmacist per 16,446 people.
The gender distribution of pharmacists indicates a male : female ratio of 51:49 at present. The gradual increase in the number of female pharmacists needs to be monitored as this could result in a decline in pharmacy human resources due to the fact that 7% less female pharmacists than male pharmacists work full-time. With regard to pharmacy support personnel, there are currently 831 trainee pharmacists assistants, 71 unqualified pharmacists assistants and 507 qualified pharmacists assistants. There is a need for many more pharmacists assistants to perform the less cognitive functions within the pharmacy. This need has been recognised by Council and the incremental training programme for pharmacists assistants will commence within the near future.
The provincial distribution of registrants indicates that the majority are concentrated in Gauteng. When population figures are taken into consideration all the provinces except Gauteng and the Western Cape are under-served compared to the WHO average.
The sector distribution of pharmacists indicates that only 26% of pharmacists are employed in the public sector, which figure includes pharmacists in academic and administrative positions. This mal-distribution requires serious investigation as approximately 80% of the population is served in the public sector. The pharmacy distribution indicates that of the 3,627 pharmacies registered with Council, 74% are retail (community) pharmacies, including private hospitals. Although less than 20% of the population is located in Gauteng, 36% of retail (community) pharmacies are situated in this province.
The information obtained via this research indicates that there are various corrective measures that must be introduced to improve the current pharmacy human resources situation. Recommendations include that pharmacy students receive more exposure to the public sector through externship programmes, that measures be introduced to attract more pharmacists into the public sector, that more emphasis be placed on continuing professional development for pharmacists and pharmacy support personnel and that the maldistribution of pharmacies be addressed through the licensing process. |
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