SPAR Health Academy applications are now open for the Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic) programme. This programme provides an excellent opportunity for individuals who are interested in building a career in the pharmacy sector, whether they are currently employed in a pharmacy or have no previous pharmacy experience.
The Occupational Certificate: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic) has been developed to equip learners with the scientific knowledge, practical skills, and workplace experience required to perform support functions in a variety of pharmacy environments. Upon successful completion of the programme and the required external assessment, qualifying learners may register as Pharmacist’s Assistants (Basic) with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC).
One of the key benefits of this programme is that individuals who are not currently employed in a pharmacy are also encouraged to apply. Previous pharmacy experience is not required. Learners who are unemployed or not working in a pharmacy will be placed at suitable pharmaceutical facilities to complete the compulsory workplace learning component under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. This makes the programme an ideal opportunity for school leavers, first-time job seekers, and anyone looking to begin a professional career in the pharmaceutical industry.
Available Intakes
Applicants must select one of the following locations and start dates when completing the application form:
Pretoria: Starts 7 September 2026
Durban: Starts 28 September 2026
Cape Town: Starts 5 October 2026
Carletonville: Starts 26 October 2026
Who Can Apply
This course suits anyone with an interest in pharmacy as a career path. There is no requirement to already be working in a pharmacy to apply. Applicants who are not currently employed in a pharmacy do not need a tutor or a registered training premises of their own. Instead, S Buys Academy manages the process of placing learners with pharmacies to complete required work-based learning under a qualified preceptor.
Applicants who are already employed full time in a pharmacy face a different requirement. In that case, the employing pharmacy must be registered as a training premises with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC), and the applicant must work under a pharmacist who is registered as a tutor.
Admission Requirements
Before applying, candidates should confirm they meet the following requirements:
National Senior Certificate (NSC): Certified by Umalusi
Mathematics: NQF Level 4 or a recognised equivalent (Mathematical Literacy does not qualify)
Life Science or Physical Science: NQF Level 4 or a recognised equivalent
Language: Ability to read, write and communicate in English
Equipment: Access to a laptop with Microsoft Office or a similar program that includes Word and Excel, along with basic computer skills
Foreign applicants and applicants over the age of 45 cannot apply through the standard form. These individuals must first send an enquiry by email to [email protected] before proceeding.
Course Duration
The course runs for six months under contract with S Buys Academy. According to SAPC rules, learners have up to twelve months in total to complete all requirements. Learners who do not finish within the initial six month contract period will be liable for re-enrolment fees, so timely completion is strongly encouraged.
Course Structure
The Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic) qualification is built around three separate components, each contributing to a well-rounded, practical skill set.
Knowledge Component
This part of the course blends online distance learning with structured contact time. Learners receive pre-recorded presentations as part of their course material and also attend real-time online tutorials led by a facilitator. Formal examinations for this component, known as Summative Assessments, take place in person at the learner’s chosen S Buys Academy training facility.
Practical Skills Component
Hands-on training takes place inside an S Buys Academy laboratory. This component is fully in person and gives learners direct exposure to the practical tasks required in pharmacy support work.
Work Experience Component
Learners complete supervised work experience hours inside an A-graded pharmaceutical facility, working under a preceptor who is a qualified pharmacist, though not necessarily one registered as a tutor. This component ensures learners graduate with real exposure to day to day pharmacy operations rather than theory alone.
In-Person Attendance Requirements
While much of the Knowledge Component happens online, in-person attendance is compulsory for several parts of the course. Applicants should plan for a total of 27 contact days, broken down as follows:
Summative Assessments: Six days, each lasting between one and four hours
Practical Skills Training: Sixteen full days
Practical Skills Assessment: Five days, each capped at a maximum of two hours
Travel, accommodation and meal costs connected to these in-person events are the responsibility of the applicant. This is an important budgeting consideration for anyone applying from outside the intake city.
Work Experience Placement Details
The Work Experience Component requires a total of 21 days, split across three different pharmacy sectors to ensure learners are trained as generalists rather than specialists in just one area.
Community (Retail) Pharmacy: Nine days at eight hours per day
Institutional (Hospital) Pharmacy: Seven days at eight hours per day
Manufacturing Pharmacy or Simulation: Five days at eight hours per day, conducted as a simulation inside an S Buys Academy laboratory
S Buys Academy handles placement on behalf of each learner, aiming to find opportunities as close as possible to the learner’s home address. Applicants who are already employed in a pharmacy may complete part of this component at their own workplace, though exposure to both hospital and retail settings remains mandatory, meaning at least part of the work experience must take place elsewhere.
Applicants are encouraged to nominate pharmacies near their home address on the application form. This information helps the Academy coordinate placements more efficiently and increases the chance of being placed somewhere convenient.
Registration Costs
Two separate fees apply outside of standard course tuition.
SAPC Registration and Annual Fee: R3,059, payable to S Buys Academy, which manages the registration process with the South African Pharmacy Council on the learner’s behalf
EISA Fee: R737, payable directly to the SAPC
Final Assessment and Certification
Once all coursework is successfully completed, learners must pass the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) through the SAPC. This assessment functions similarly to the Intern Pre-registration examination used elsewhere in the pharmacy qualification pathway.
After demonstrating competence in the EISA, S Buys Academy registers the learner as a qualified Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic) with the SAPC, completing the certification process.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should review all course details carefully before completing the application form. Information submitted through the form is used by S Buys Academy for first-round screening of candidates. Every applicant will be notified of the outcome, whether the application is successful or unsuccessful.
Applicants must double check that the email address and cell phone number provided on the form are correct and actively monitored, since these are the primary channels used for follow-up communication regarding application status and next steps.
This course offers a structured, SAPC-recognised pathway into the pharmacy profession, combining online learning, hands-on laboratory training and real-world work experience. For anyone considering a career in pharmacy support services, whether starting fresh or building on existing pharmacy employment, this qualification provides a clear and manageable route toward professional registration.
Apply Here: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic) Occupational Certificate
