Master of Science in Pharmacy Administration and Policy Regulation

Purpose

The purpose of the Master of Science in Pharmacy Administration and Policy Regulation is to scientifically educate and equip Pharmacists and Practitioners with the necessary knowledge, specific skills and applied competencies so as to enable them to make, as a member of the health care team and in accordance with the demands of the day, the needs of society and international standards. They have to make an essential contribution towards the Pharmacy Administration and Policy Regulation for the betterment of the health of the people of the Republic of South Africa and elsewhere. Thus affording learners the opportunity of participating in continuous personal intellectual and professional development, thereby contributing towards providing the country with adequate numbers of competent Pharmacists and Practitioners in Pharmacy Administration and Policy Regulation.

The Masters graduate should be able to

• Demonstrate in depth mastery of theoretically aspects in the subject matter.
• Display appropriate proficiency in research methodology.
• Conduct independent research in the discipline (or inter-disciplinary field).
• Communicate verbally and orally with professional audiences associated with research and knowledge production in the discipline.
• Challenge conventions and redefine existing knowledge, while demonstrating awareness of the nature of knowledge in the field.

Furthermore, the Masters graduate should be able to

• Write a research proposal.
• Design a research project to answer educational questions.
• Apply a range of advanced research methods to research problems in Pharmacy.
• Conduct advanced literature searches and critique current literature in the form of a review.
• Deal with contemporary theoretical and practical issues in Pharmacy.

Rationale

Training of Pharmacists and Practitioners must comply with the Regulations of the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) and the latest international trends in the sector specifically in the area of Pharmacy Administration in the profession. A Master's Degree provides a professional Postgraduate training in Pharmacy that supports this expanding role of Pharmacists. It is multi-disciplinary and multi-factorial, focused on the function of the evolving role of Pharmacist, and Practitioners.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Access to the qualification can also be provided in terms of the university's RPL policy and its admission criteria stipulated by Senate. In addition, in the RPL process students have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course (PDC) to support the student's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the candidates' interest in in the discipline as an adjunct to their existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project. In addition, an application can be made in terms of rule A.2. The competency rule via Senate.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• 4-year Pharmacy Degree or Diploma (e.g. Pharmacy (Pharm), Bachelor of Science (BSc) (Pharm) or Diploma (Dip) Pharm).

11 Core Modules at Level 9, 180 Credits

• Ethics, 10 Credits.
• Writing and evaluating a Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD), 10 Credits.
• Regulatory sciences and generics and biosimilar, 10 Credits.
• Regulatory sciences and Complementary and Traditional medicines, 10 Credits.
• Regulatory sciences and medical devices, 10 Credits.
• Pharmacovigilance, 10 Credits.
• Regulatory affairs, 10 Credits.
• Research methods, 10 Credits.
• Leadership and Negotiation, 10 Credits.
• Statistics and clinical trial management, 20 Credits.
• Health economics, 10 Credits.
• Mini-thesis, 60 Credits.

1. Describe and explain the influence of Pharmacovigilance, Regulatory sciences and Complementary and Traditional medicines.
2. Guide and interpret drug monitoring.
3. Communicate how drugs are to be used rationally in the prevention and management of disease.
4. Describe, explain, and quantify the risks associated with individual drugs and drug combinations.
5. Conduct a critical appraisal of relevant medical literature.
6. Provide effective management of a project.
7. Describe, justify and implement the ethical principles required in the conducting of Research.
8. Critically review the ethical issues involved in the undertaking of clinical research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

• Evaluate and compare the elements that are specific to the pharmaceutical industry of South Africa with those in organisations such as International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH).
• Interpret the regulation of Generic medicines and Biosimilars.
• Understand complementary and traditional medicine.
• Understand the regulatory framework for such medicines globally.
• Construct and evaluate benefit/risk assessments throughout the lifecycle of a medicine, with reference where applicable to issues around pre-and post-market authorisation.
• Evaluate the regulatory issues affecting the pharmaceutical industry.
• Compare the regulation of medicines in different global markets.
• Critically review the issues (including legal, ethical, clinical and/or commercial) involved when undertaking clinical trials.

Integrated Assessment

The method of assessment may vary according to the module purpose, its subject matter and the teaching and learning approach adopted. Some modules are theoretically oriented; others require a more practical, hands-on approach. This is reflected in the assessment instruments. Continuous assessment will be applied throughout the qualification. Continuous assessment requires the completion of a mixture of assignments or tasks during the semester, ranging from informal and formal formative assignments that include presentations. Details of the assessment evidence as required, including the presentation and assessment topics and tasks, their format and criteria are set out in the student module guides made available at the beginning of each semester.

The students' knowledge in the area of research will be continuously evaluated and guided by the supervisor commencing with the submission of a proposal for a Master's research by the end of their first year. This will be further evaluated by a committee of the Faculty before submission to Senate Higher Degrees Committee. Students will complete a research project to be presented as a thesis. Assessment of the thesis will be carried out where possible by international external examiners.