Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) invites suitable candidates to apply for the Pharmacy Internship Programme for 2026. This programme offers positions at registered hospitals and district pharmacies across Gauteng for a 12-month period, commencing from the date of registration with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC).
Candidates must submit a detailed CV (maximum 4 pages), certified copies of ID and Matric Certificate (certified within the past 3 months), academic transcripts up to the 3rd year of their Pharmacy Degree or further, a testimonial letter from a university lecturer, a motivation letter, and a selection of three preferred healthcare institutions (one each from Central/Tertiary/Specialised, Regional, and District categories). Applications are open from 13 October to 31 October 2025, and positions are subject to final approval based on departmental needs and budget.
The internship adheres to SAPC rules and provides hands-on experience in pharmaceutical services, including stock management, dispensing medication for in- and out-patients, bulk compounding, prepacking, and participation in ward rounds. Selection begins in November 2025, with successful candidates receiving employment offers via email. Applicants must ensure accurate contact details, as failure to provide updated information may result in applications not being processed.
The programme starts on the first working day of January 2026, or as required, and requires proof of SAPC registration. Failure in final examinations or supplementary exams will disqualify candidates, and the GDoH reserves the right to adjust the number of positions or terminate internships for non-compliance with SAPC requirements.
Position: Pharmacy Internship Programme
Duration: 12 months contract
Location: Various hospitals and district pharmacies throughout Gauteng
Closing Date: 31 October 2025
Applications are hereby invited from suitable candidates to do their pharmacy internship in the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) for 2026. Please note that positions are subject to final approval.
Application Closing Dates:31 October 202
1. APPLICATION PROCESS
We are an affirmative action employer and intend to promote equity in service delivery.
The department offers internship positions at registered hospitals and district pharmacies, for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of registration with the SA Pharmacy Council (SAPC). The internship is conducted in accordance with the rules and set programme of the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC).
Persons interested in doing their pharmacy internship programme in the public sector in Gauteng must complete and submit the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): A detailed CV highlighting your qualifications, experience, and skills (not longer than 4 pages).
- Certified Copies of ID and Matric Certificate: Ensure these are certified within the past 3 months.
- Academic Record: Certified copies of your latest academic transcripts, usually up to the 3rd year of your Pharmacy Degree or further.
- Testimonial Letter: Testimonial letter from a lecturer of the University.
- Hospitals Preferences: Please select only 3 healthcare institutions for your internship placement in order of priority:
- 1 Central / Tertiary / Specialised Hospital
- 1 Regional Hospital
- 1 District Hospital
Note: You must choose one hospital from each category (See attached list of institutions below).
- Motivation Letter: Explaining your preferences and interest in public sector pharmacy.
2. GENERAL INFORMATION
- Applicants who fail to adhere to the requirements may limit their chances for selection.
- No late applications will be considered.
- Please supply an address, telephone number, and an e-mail where you can be easily contacted (i.e., cell phone or telephone number, address during university terms and during vacation).
- It is the responsibility of the applicant to inform this office of any change in contact details. Inability to contact the applicant at the supplied contact details may result in the application not being processed.
- Commencement date for internship is envisaged to be the first working day of January 2026, or as required by the Department.
- Selection will begin in November 2025.
- If you are selected, information on an offer of employment will be e-mailed to you in November 2025.
- After the acceptance of the offer of employment, if for any reason the applicant cannot take up the position on the date stated, the offer of employment will lapse immediately.
- The date of commencement of pharmacist internship will be the same as the date of registration as a pharmacist intern with the SA Pharmacy Council (SAPC). No pharmacist intern may commence duty unless proof of registration with the SA Pharmacy Council (SAPC) is supplied.
- Failure in the final examination will immediately disqualify your application for employment and nullify any offer of employment that may have been made. Having to write a supplementary exam will be regarded as failure in the Final examinations of the Pharmacy Degree.
- The Department reserves the right to change the number of pharmacist internship positions overall or at any of the public health care facilities.
- The internship positions will be only for a period of 12 months from the date of registration with the SA Pharmacy Council (SAPC). The department reserves the right not to extend any internship due to failure in the pre-registration exam; other cases for extension will be considered on an individual basis.
3. PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES IN GAUTENG
Hospitals in Gauteng are categorised into Central, Tertiary, Regional, Districts, and Specialised Hospitals. In addition, there are District Pharmacies responsible for primary health care services.
The pharmacist is responsible for the maintenance of stock, which involves the ordering, storage, and distribution of medicine and the exercising of control over the medication. The pharmacist is also involved in the maintenance of the formulary and the impact of the primary EML on the stock holding and distribution thereof.
Key Intern Responsibilities and Duties:
- In-patients’ pharmacy: The pharmacist dispenses medication to patients in wards and maintains stock levels in the wards and other specialist areas.
- Out-patients’ pharmacy: Dispensing of prescriptions to patients attending the hospital as outpatients, interaction with the patients, and counselling on their medication.
- Bulk compounding and prepacking: The preparation of extemporaneous mixtures for specific patients, disinfectants, and stock mixtures used in the hospital. The pre-packing of medicine from bulk containers into patient-ready packs.
- Patient Care areas: Pharmacists attend ward rounds and interact with both medical and nursing personnel regarding all medication-related information and issues.
ENVISAGED PHARMACIST INTERN POSTS WITHIN THE GAUTENG DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR 2026
Health Facility: Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital
District: Johannesburg
Number of Posts: 8
Facility Type: Central
Health Facility: Steve Biko Academic Hospital
District: Tshwane
Number of Posts: 6
Facility Type: Central
Health Facility: Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital
District: Johannesburg
Number of Posts: 10
Facility Type: Central
Health Facility: George Mukhari Academic Hospital
District: Tshwane
Number of Posts: 7
Facility Type: Central
Health Facility: Helen Joseph Hospital
District: Johannesburg
Number of Posts: 3
Facility Type: Tertiary
Health Facility: Far East Rand Hospital
District: Ekurhuleni
Number of Posts: 2
Facility Type: Regional
Health Facility: Tembisa Hospital
District: Ekurhuleni
Number of Posts: 1
Facility Type: Tertiary
Health Facility: Kalafong Hospital
District: Tshwane
Number of Posts: 3
Facility Type: Tertiary
Health Facility: Leratong Hospital
District: West Rand
Number of Posts: 3
Facility Type: Regional
Health Facility: Sebokeng Hospital
District: Sedibeng
Number of Posts: 4
Facility Type: Regional
Health Facility: Jubilee Hospital
District: Tshwane
Number of Posts: 2
Facility Type: District
Health Facility: Pretoria West Hospital
District: Tshwane
Number of Posts: 1
Facility Type: District
Health Facility: Thelle Mogoerane Reg Hospital
District: Ekurhuleni
Number of Posts: 1
Facility Type: Regional
Health Facility: Bertha Gxowa Hospital
District: Ekurhuleni
Number of Posts: 3
Facility Type: District
Health Facility: Edenvale Hospital
District: Ekurhuleni
Number of Posts: 1
Facility Type: Regional
Health Facility: Tambo Memorial Hospital
District: Ekurhuleni
Number of Posts: 2
Facility Type: Regional
Health Facility: Weskoppies Hospital
District: Tshwane
Number of Posts: 1
Facility Type: Specialised
Health Facility: Tshwane District Hospital
District: Tshwane
Number of Posts: 2
Facility Type: District
Health Facility: Sterkfontein Hospital
District: West Rand
Number of Posts: 1
Facility Type: Specialised
Health Facility: Sedibeng Metro Health District
District: Sedibeng
Number of Posts: 2
Facility Type: District
Total Number of Posts: 63
Note: These posts are envisaged and subject to change based on departmental needs and budget approval.
Join the Gauteng Department of Health and launch your pharmacy career in public service!
Apply Here: Pharmacy Internship Programme – 2026