Pharmaceutical education in the South African multicultural society

In 1995, South Africa commenced the implementation of a new quality assurance program at all educational levels, which promotes outcomes-based education. Degree programs and academic institutions have to be accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority through discipline-specific Education Training and Quality Assurance bodies. In response to these changes in education structure, the South African Pharmacy Council has developed outcomes-based competency standards for entry-level pharmacists. On the basis of these standards, the School of Pharmacy of the Medical University of Southern Africa, which served a non-white population during the apartheid era, and the Technikon Pretoria, which served a predominantly white student population, have jointly established an integrated, problem-based BPharm curriculum. The student intake on the program reflects the South African demographic composition. The course is designed to meet both the competency requirements and the needs of historically disadvantaged sections of the community. It is now in its third year, with encouraging pass rates.