Master of Pharmacy in Pharmacy Practice

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of selected fields in Pharmacy Practice, which include basic methodological approaches and theoretical orientations applied to the South African context. This qualification also aims to equip postgraduate students with all the relevant competencies to practise at a highly specialised level as pharmacists and future developers in the fields of pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical systems, public healthcare, pharmacovigilance, pharmacoepidemiology, and pharmaceutical and health economics. Furthermore, this qualification also aims to prepare graduates for further study at Level 10.

Rationale

The Master of Pharmacy in Pharmacy Practice is a necessary and relevant qualification within South African society since it aims to further educate, train and prepare professionally qualified pharmacist for a specialised fields of practice and research therein, namely:

• Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance.
• Pharmaceutical economy and policy.
• Pharmaceutical public healthcare governance.

Successful completion of this qualification will contribute towards enhanced management of specialised pharmaceutical services, dispensing practices, research in the named areas of pharmacy practice and public health in general.

Recognition Of Prior Learning (RPL)

In recognising previous learning, the institution deals with provable knowledge and learning that the applicant obtained by following formal teaching programmes or by experience. At all times the question will be what level of competence was reached, judged in the context of the exit level skills required for the contemplated teaching-learning programmes (or modules therein) or status for which the applicant is applying and not merely about the experience the applicant can prove. Recognition of previous learning takes place in terms of the relevant skills that the applicant demonstrated in the application with reference to the exit outcomes that should be reached in the chosen qualification. The institution accepts that the recognition of previous learning does and should take place within the normal, existing policy of admission, as well as the granting of credits to prospective or existing students from various institutions in a valid, creditable and reasonable way.

Entry Requirements

In addition to the General Academic Rules and the Admissions Policy of the North-West University, the following minimum admission requirement applies: a four year Bachelor of Pharmacy Degree or an equivalent qualification approved by the NWU Senate.

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 9, totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Modules

• Applied Pharmaco-economics, 32 Credits.
• Applied Pharmaco-epidemiology, 32 Credits.
• Dissertation, 116 Credits.

1. Demonstrate advanced, systematic and specialist knowledge and skill to undertake a focused literature review, identify a relevant research problem and related research questions and apply appropriate research methods and techniques within the field of medicine utilisation and pharmacy practice.
2. Plan and execute suitable quantitative and/or qualitative research approaches in a scientific and ethical manner by making use of appropriate research methods, techniques and procedures.
3. Interpret and integrate research findings and recommendations in a scientifically accountable manner and, via scientific and ethically correct verbal and written communication and present the complete dissertation to the appointed examiners.
4. Act as a leader, i.e. ethically and responsibly, in the pharmaceutical profession as far as appropriate medicine utilisation and pharmacy practice is concerned.
5. Evaluate current processes of knowledge production and choose an appropriate process of enquiry for the area of study or practice.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes

• Show and understanding of systematic and integrated knowledge and an ability to analyse, evaluate and apply the fundamental terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories.
• Effectively communicate scientific understanding and own opinions/ideas in written or oral arguments, using appropriate discipline-related and academic discourse as well as in technology.
• Apply appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and independently validate, evaluate and manage sources of information.
• Show professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline-related environment, with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations.
• Effectively function as a member and/or leader of a team or a group in scientific projects or investigations, with self-directed management of learning activities and responsibility for own learning progress.
• Critically reflect on, and show understanding and application of, appropriate methods or practices to resolve complex discipline-related problems and thereby introduce change within related practice.

Integrated Assessment

The following forms of continuous formative and summative assessment are used to ensure integrated assessment of all exit level outcomes for this qualification:

• Written assignments including small research projects.
• Analysis and solving of a variety of case studies.
• Written and practical examinations.
• A research proposal.
• A dissertation.