Thank you for showing interest in the S Buys Academy's Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist's Assistant (Basic) Course.
Below are the proposed Basic level intakes indicating the month in which the course might start as well as the area where assessments and practical skills training might be conducted:
- Pretoria - start date: 23 February 2026
- Cape Town - start date: 30 March 2026 (proposed)
- Durban - start date: 6 April 2026 (proposed)
- Carletonville - start date 27 October 2025
Kindly note that you will have to indicate in the application form for which proposed intake you would like to apply for.
*All proposed intakes scheduled for Cape Town and Durban are subject to SAPC accreditation of sites. The S Buys Academy will be in contact with you should your preferred intake be in one of those areas.
Please read through the information regarding the course and then proceed to complete the form.Who should enroll?The course is suitable for any person, whether employed in a pharmacy or not and who is interested in pursuing a career in Pharmacy. The course will provide the learner with scientific knowledge as well as practical skills needed to perform the support functions in pharmacy. Work-experience learning ensures that the learner is trained as a generalist, who will be able to practice in any sector of Pharmacy once qualified.
If you are not full-time employed in a pharmacy, you DO NOT NEED A TUTOR OR A REGISTERED TRAINING PREMISES. You will be placed in pharmacies to complete your required work-based learning under a pharmacist called a preceptor.
This process is fully managed by the Academy on your behalf.
Should you be employed full-time in a pharmacy, the pharmacy should be registered as a training premises with the SAPC and you should be working under a pharmacist who is registered as a tutor.
Duration of the course
The Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist's Assistant (Basic) Course is a SIX MONTHS course.
The learner, however, does have a maximum of twelve months to complete the course as per South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) rules.
Please note that if the learner did not finish within the contractual 6 months with S Buys Academy, re-enrolment fees will be applicable.
Admission requirements
- National Senior Certificate (NSC), certified by Umalusi
- Mathematics (NOT MATHEMATICAL LITERACY) at NQF Level 4 or recognized equivalent
- Life/ Physical Science at NQF Level 4 or recognised equivalent
- All learners accessing this qualification should be able to read, write and communicate in English
- Access to a laptop with Microsoft Office or alternative that has access to Word & Excel and basic knowledge of using a laptop.
Course Details
- The Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist's Assistant (Basic) combines online distance and in-person training.
- The Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist's Assistant (Basic) is divided into three components namely, Knowledge Component, Practical Skills Component and Work Experience Component.
- The Knowledge Component is presented as a combination of pre-recorded presentations (the learner receives with their course material) and online real-time tutorials with a facilitator.
- The Summative Assessments (Examinations) for the Knowledge Component are done in person at the learner's selected S Buys Academy Training Facility.
- The Practical Skills Component is presented in person in a S Buys Academy Laboratory.
- The Work Experience Component consists of work experience hours that should be completed in an A-graded pharmaceutical facility under the supervision of a preceptor. (A pharmacist not necessarily registered as a tutor).
In-Person Contact Time (Knowledge Component Assessments and Practical Skills Component Training)
- It will be required of the applicant to travel to the Training Facility for Summative Assessments (Examinations) and Re-Assessments (if applicable).
In-person attendance at these events is mandatory.
- Practical Skills Training in a S Buys Academy Training Facility. In-person attendance at these academic events is mandatory.
- The applicant will bear the costs for travel, accommodation and meals whilst attending these academic events.
The total contact in-person contact time is 27 days and is divided as indicated below:
- Summative Assessments - Six (6) Days (between 1 and 4 hours per day)
- Practical Skills Training - Sixteen (11) Days (full days)
- Practical Skills Assessment - Five (5) Days (maximum 2 hours per day)
Work Experience Component (WC) Details- The S Buys Academy will seek placement to complete the WC hours on behalf of the learner as close as possible to the learner's home address.
- Learners will be placed in different sectors of Pharmacy to train a generalist.
- Learners employed in a pharmacy may do part of this component in their own facility. Learners must be exposed to both hospital and retail pharmacy and thus a part of this component will have to be done in another sector).
- Kindly nominate pharmacies close to your home address, which will assist the Academy with placements.
- Work experience learning in the manufacturing sector will be a simulation in one of the S Buys Academy's laboratories.
A total of
21 days should be completed by the learner for the WC hours of the Basic level course.
- Community (Retail) Pharmacy Work Experience - Nine (9) Days (8 hours per day)
- Institutional (Hospital) Pharmacy Work Experience - Seven (7) Days (8 hours per day)
- Manufacturing Pharmacy or Simulation - Five (5) Days (8 hours per day)
Registration at the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC)
- The S Buys Academy will register an enrolled learner with the SAPC on behalf of the learner.
- The registration and annual fee for 2025 (R 2 804) is payable to the S Buys Academy, which facilitates the SAPC registration process.
EISA and Certification
- After successful completion of the course, the learner must complete the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) with the SAPC. This is similar to the Intern Pre-registration examination.
- The EISA fee for of R 711 (2025) is payable directly to the SAPC.
- Once competence is proven in the EISA the S Buys Academy will register the learner as a qualified Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic) with the SAPC.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING:- Please note that the information provided by the applicant in the form below will assist the S Buys Academy with the first-round screening of applicants.
- The S Buys Academy will notify the applicant of the outcome of the application, whether successful or unsuccessful.
- Please ensure the email address and cell phone number you provide are CORRECT and that you have full-time access to these communication channels.
