Q: WHY SHOULD I ENROL FOR THE PHARMACIST’S ASSISTANT (BASIC) OR (POST-BASIC) COURSE?

A: These courses are suitable for any person, whether employed in a pharmacy or not, who is interested in pursuing a career in Pharmacy. 

The courses will provide the learner with scientific knowledge and practical skills needed to perform the support functions in pharmacy. Work experience hours completed in all sectors of Pharmacy ensures that the learner is trained as a generalist who can practice in any category of Pharmacy once qualified.

Q: WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO ENROL FOR THE PHARMACIST’S ASSISTANT (BASIC) COURSE?

A: The requirements for the basic course are as follows: 

• National Senior Certificate (NSC), certified by Umalusi 
• Mathematics (NOT MATHEMATICAL LITERACY) at NQF Level 4 or recognised equivalent (with a pass rate of 30% or higher) 
• Life / Physical Science at NQF Level 4 or recognised equivalent (with a pass rate of 30% or higher) 
• All learners accessing this qualification should be able to read, write and communicate in English and be competent in using a computer. 

Q: WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO ENROL FOR THE PHARMACIST’S ASSISTANT (POST-BASIC) COURSE?

A: The requirements for the post-basic course are as follows: 

• Qualified (and registered) Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic) (either qualified on the Revised course or Occupational Certificate course) 
• Proof of competence in the EISA (External Integrative Summative Assessment) conducted by the SAPC. 

Q: WHAT IS AN EISE?

A: EISA is the abbreviation for External Integrated Summative Assessment. 

It is an online exam administered by the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC). The SAPC allows a person only 3 opportunities to write an EISA.

There are two types of EISAs:

• An EISA (Basic):
  • To be completed by all persons who successfully completed the Occupational Certificate: Basic Course before they will be registered as Qualified Pharmacist’s Assistants (Basic)

OR

• Will allow a person registered as a qualified Pharmacist’s Assistant (basic) who did not complete the Occupational Certificate: Basic Course to apply for the Occupational Certificate: Post-basic Course

• An EISA (Post-basic):
  • To be completed by all persons who successfully completed the Occupational Certificate: Post-basic Course before they will be registered as Qualified Pharmacist’s Assistants (Post-basic)

OR

• Will allow a person registered as a qualified Pharmacist’s Assistant (Post-basic) who did not complete the Occupational Certificate: Post-basic Course to apply for the Occupational Certificate: Pharmacy Technician Course

Q: ARE THERE ANY COSTS INVOLVED IN WRITING AN EISA?

A: The EISA fee for 2025 is R711. A learner will pay this fee directly to the SAPC. To obtain more information about the set dates, the practice EISA and the actual EISA, please visit the website of the SAPC or click on the link: https://www.sapc.za.org/Learner_Assessment 

Q: DOES S BUYS ACADEMY OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE TO QUALIFIED PHARMACIST’S ASSISTANTS WANTING TO WRITE THE EISA?

A: The S Buys Academy offers a short preparatory course for enrolled learners and qualified pharmacist’s assistants wanting to write the EISA. The PREP Course is an online course. A learner has access to the pre-recorded audio-visual presentations for a month. They can watch it as often as possible and contact the S Buys Academy Facilitator via e-platform messaging or telephone.

Q: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE BASIC COURSE?

A: The Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic) Course is designed to be completed within six months. 

However, the learner has a maximum of twelve months to complete the course as per South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) rules. Please note that re-admission with applicable fees will apply if the learner did not finish within the contractual 6 months with S Buys Academy. If learners do not finish the course within 12 months, they must re-register with the SAPC.

Q: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE POST-BASIC COURSE?

A: The Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Post-Basic) Course is designed to be completed within 12 months. 

However, the learner has a maximum of 24 months to complete the course as per South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) rules. Please note that re-admission with applicable fees will apply if the learner did not finish within the contractual 12 months with S Buys Academy. If learners do not finish the course within 24 months, they must re-register with the SAPC.

Q: HOW ARE THE COURSES STRUCTURED? CAN I DO THE COURSE VIA DISTANCE LEARNING?

A: The Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic) and The Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Post-Basic) combines online distance and in-person training. 

• The Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic) and The Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Post-Basic) are divided into three components: Knowledge Component, Practical Skills Component and Work Experience Component. 
• The Knowledge Component is presented as a combination of pre-recorded presentations (the learner works through the course material on their own time) and online real-time presentations with facilitators. 
• The Summative Assessments (Examinations) are done in person at an accredited S Buys Academy assessment centre. 
• The Practical Skills Component is presented in person in an accredited S Buys Academy’s Training Facilities. 
• The Work Experience Component consists of work-based hours that should be completed in an A-graded pharmaceutical facility under the supervision of a tutor/preceptor. 

Q: HOW MUCH TIME WILL I SPEND AT THE S BUYS ACADEMY’S TRAINING FACILITIES FOR IN-PERSON TRAINING?

A: The applicant must travel to an accredited S Buys Academy training facility for the Summative Assessments (Examinations), Re-Assessments, Practical Skills Training, and Manufacturing Simulation. In-person attendance at these academic events is mandatory. 

• In-person contact time for the Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic) is 27 days.
• In-person contact time for the Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Post-Basic) is 51 days.

Q: WHAT ABOUT THE HOURS I MUST COMPLETE IN A PHARMACY WHICH FORMS PART OF THE WORK EXPERIENCE COMPONENT (WC) OF THE COURSE?

A: The S Buys Academy’s Work Experience Component covers all aspects of the required work-based learning. 

• • This qualification requires a learner to complete work-based learning hours in different sectors of Pharmacy. 
  • WC hosting facilities need to be A-graded pharmacies with SAPC. 
  • WC hosting facilities need not be registered as training premises with the SAPC. 
  • The pharmacist under which the learner will complete the WC hours does not need to be registered as a tutor with the SAPC but should have more than three years of experience. 
  • The S Buys Academy will do placement on behalf of the learner to ensure exposure to all sectors. 

• A basic learner will spend 20 days gaining work-based learning. 

• A post-basic learner will spend 47 days gaining work-based learning. 

• The learner will receive a Portfolio of Evidence, which needs to be completed during the WC hours. 

Q: WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF TRAVELLING ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS TO AND AT THE S BUYS ACADEMY’S TRAINING FACILITIES?

A: The applicant will bear the costs of travel, accommodation, and meals while attending these academic events. 

The Academic Calendar was designed to allow minimum travel to the S Buys Academy training facility. 

Q: HOW MUCH DOES THE OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATE: PHARMACIST’S ASSISTANT (BASIC) COURSE COST AND DO THE S BUYS ACADEMY OFFER ANY PAYMENT OPTIONS?

A: The Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic) Fee for 2025 is R46 904.

The fee includes the S Buys Academy Admin Fee of R1 500 included in the S Buys Academy Course Fee (R44 100) & the SAPC registration and annual fee of R2 804.

Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic) fee layout and different options:

• The S Buys Academy Admin Fee of R1 500 (incl. VAT) (non-refundable) is payable on acceptance of your position in the intake (as soon as possible).
• The South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) 2025 registration and annual fee is R2 804.00 (incl. VAT) per learner. This amount should be paid to the S Buys Academy and NOT the SAPC. The Academy facilitates new registrations on behalf of the SAPC.

PAYMENT OPTION 1:

• If you can pay the total course fees one calendar month before the start date as per the acceptance letter, you qualify for a 5% discount on the course fees.
• Total plan: R44 774 = R1 500+ R2 804 + R40 470

PAYMENT OPTION 2:

• Pay a deposit of R12 600 one calendar month before the start date as per the acceptance letter,
• followed by five (5) consecutive monthly payments of R6 000 each (commencing at the end of the start date month per the acceptance letter).
• Total plan: R46 904 = R1 500+ R2 804 + R12 600 + (5 x R6 000)

Q: HOW MUCH DOES THE OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATE: PHARMACIST’S ASSISTANT (POST-BASIC) COURSE COST AND DO THE S BUYS ACADEMY OFFER ANY PAYMENT OPTIONS?

A: The Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Post-basic) Fee for 2025 is R66 904.

The fee includes the S Buys Academy Admin Fee of R1 500 included in the S Buys Academy Course Fee (R64 100) & the SAPC registration and annual fee of R2 804.

Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic) fee layout and different options:

• The S Buys Academy Admin Fee of R1 500 (incl. VAT) (non-refundable) is payable on acceptance of your position in the intake (as soon as possible).
• The South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) 2025 registration and annual fee is R2 804.00 (incl. VAT) per learner. This amount should be paid to the S Buys Academy and NOT the SAPC. The Academy facilitates new registrations on behalf of the SAPC.

PAYMENT OPTION 1:

• If you can pay the total course fees one calendar month before the start date as per the acceptance letter, you qualify for a 5% discount on the course fees.
• Total plan: R63 774 = R1 500+ R2 804 + R59 470

PAYMENT OPTION 2:

• Pay a deposit of R7 600 one calendar month before the start date as per the acceptance letter,
• Followed by eleven (11) consecutive monthly payments of R5 000 each (commencing at the end of the start date month per the acceptance letter).
• Total plan: R66 904 = R1 500+ R2 804 + R7 600 + (11 x R5 000)