The BPharm degree education was then offered in 1998 in partnership with Tshwane University of Technology. In 2005, University of Limpopo (UL) was established as a merger of MEDUNSA and University of the North. The new academic structure of UL came into effect in 2006, and as result, the School of Pharmacy became the Department of Pharmacy within the School of Health Care Sciences under Faculty of Health Sciences.

The School of Pharmacy has developed four departments which are Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Practice, and Public Health Pharmacy and Management. The School offers BPharm degree and other undergraduate programmes for basic and post-basic pharmacist assistants. It also offers dispensing course and several continuing professional development courses. Postgraduate programmes are also offered and these include Master of Pharmacy in the disciplines of clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences encompassing also radiopharmacy, public health pharmacy and management. The Photobiology Laboratory is also housed in the School and attracts several national and international studies from pharmaceutical/cosmetic industry.

The future of pharmacy lies in the hands of our students, and the impact that they will have on the patients and the public. Therefore, through our excellent academic programmes both at undergraduate and postgraduate level , the training that the students get equip them with necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to serve the healthcare needs of our society.

Pharmacists are medicine experts. They understand the biochemical and pharmaceutical formulation of medicinal products, their intended use, side effects, interactions and effectiveness in the optimal management of disease. The main goal of a pharmacist is to use their expertise to improve patient care through close contact with patients, dispensing and advising patients on the safe use of prescribed medicines and management of their disease. Pharmacists also play a vital role in the self-management of minor conditions through providing and advising on non-prescription medication to patients.

Pharmacists work closely with other pharmacists and other members of the health care team – doctors, nurses, dentists and other allied healthcare workers – where they are able to give advice on a variety of issues relating to the use and action of medicines.

Pharmacists are employed in many different areas of practice, traditionally most pharmacists work in either hospital or community pharmacies (private or public) but pharmacists can also be employed in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, academia, regulatory authority or work with policy development.

The first steps to become a pharmacist is to apply, get accepted and enrol and successfully complete a B.Pharm degree, this should take a minimum of four years to complete. After qualifying, graduates must still undertake a one-year period of internship, during which they must successfully complete a pre-registration examination with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) for entry-level pharmacists. They are then required to complete one year in the recognized sector (often a public sector) as a community service pharmacist before proceeding to full registration as a pharmacist.

There are nine different universities that offer the B.Pharm undergraduate program in South Africa. Here at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) we have a dedicated School of Pharmacy that offers the undergraduate program as well as various post-graduate pharmacy programmes (please refer to the school calendar for more information). Our School of Pharmacy also offers training for pharmacy support personnel and a dispensing course for qualified medical doctors/professional nurses (please refer to the school calendar for more information).

Postgraduate programmes are also offered and these include Master of Pharmacy in the disciplines of clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences encompassing also radiopharmacy, public health pharmacy and management.

The Photobiology Laboratory is also housed in the School and attracts several national and international studies from pharmaceutical/cosmetic industry.

The future of pharmacy lies in the hands of our students, and the impact that they will have on the patients and the public. Therefore, through our excellent academic programmes both at undergraduate and postgraduate level , the training that the students get equip them with necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to serve the healthcare needs of our society.

For more information on Post Graduate programmes, visit these links: School of Pharmacy Postgraduate Programmes | SMU or School of Pharmacy Masters and Doctoral Programmes | SMU