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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Pharmacy in Advanced Clinical Pharmacy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
90675  Master of Pharmacy in Advanced Clinical Pharmacy 
ORIGINATOR
North West University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  192  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
This Master of Pharmacy: Advanced Clinical Pharmacy is a co-ordinated structured qualification aimed at education, training, research and practice. It builds upon knowledge, skills, attitudes and competence gained from an accredited professional Pharmacy Degree.

The first part of the Master of Pharmacy: Advanced Clinical Pharmacy supports the planning and development of a research proposal and focuses on ethics, grant applications and communication skills. It also enhances the learner's general competencies in the support of optimal medication therapy outcomes and in the monitoring of patients with a broad range of disease states through basic science and practice and in the management of medication-use systems.

The second part of the Master of Pharmacy: Advanced Clinical Pharmacy focuses on clinical research and the application of the detailed clinical knowledge gained in the first part of the qualification in patient assessments and hands-on case studies. Expertise is used proactively to ensure and advance rational drug therapy.

Learners undertaking the Master of Pharmacy: Advanced Clinical Pharmacy, are provided the opportunity to further their growth beyond entry-level professional competence in patient-centred care, pharmacy management services and in leadership skills that can be applied in any position, regardless of the practice setting. It sets the basis for clinical research and adds the competencies that contribute to working successfully in the health care environment as a motivated and innovative pharmacist.

Rationale:
Training of pharmacists must comply with the Regulations of the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) and the latest international trends in the sector to move to a more clinical approach in the profession.

The need for clinical pharmacists exists in South Africa with posts already created in the public and private sectors. With the shortage of pharmacists, especially pharmacists with clinical skills, people with inappropriate training are being appointed in newly created clinical pharmacist posts.

A Master's Degree: Advanced Clinical Pharmacy 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 clinical pharmacist, producing a well-equipped and clinically skilled pharmacist who can provide the patient with the required optimal high-level pharmaceutical care. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Knowledge of the fundamental principles and concepts of research and statistical methods at NQF Level 8.

Recognition of Prior Learning:
Recognition of Prior Learning may be used to grant access to the qualification to learners who do not have sufficient formal academic achievement, but who have proven expertise and competency. Candidates may apply for exemption from certain modules on grounds of prior relevant study.

Access to Qualification:
An applicant must have completed a Bachelor Degree: Pharmacy (B.Pharm) and must hold a current registration as a pharmacist with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC). 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
The qualification comprises theoretical modules at NQF Level 9 worth a total of 128 credits and a research component which requires the production of an accepted mini-dissertation worth 64 credits.

All 192 credits must be obtained to be awarded the qualification.

Modules:
  • Clinical Pharmacy, Social Pharmacy, and Professional Practice, 16 credits.
  • Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics and Therapeutic Outcomes Management I, 40 credits.
  • Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics and Therapeutic Outcomes Management II, 24 credits.
  • Clinical Drug Toxicology, Drug Therapy in Oncology and the Management of Drug Abuse, 16 credits.
  • Clinical Epidemiology, Research Methodology, Biostatistics, and Evidence-based Medicine, 32 credits.

    Research:
  • Mini-dissertation, 64 credits. 

  • EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Manage and improve the medication-use process by ensuring a quality medication-use system.
    2. Provide evidence-based, patient-centred medication therapy management within multi-disciplinary health care teams.
    3. Exercise leadership and clinical practice management skills through the development, implementation, evaluation and provision of pharmaceutical care plans.
    4. Provide advanced clinical services and practice-related evidence-based information, education and training to diverse specialists.
    5. Utilise medical informatics and manage clinical audits of medicine utilisation.
    6. Design, implement and justify clinical programmes to enhance the efficacy of patient care (protocol and guideline development as well as policies and procedures).
    7. Perform clinical pharmacy research.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    This qualification enables all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes to be addressed. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated way to all Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and a professional attitude in the interpretation of clinical and epidemiological studies for use in patient health assessment.
  • Generate a complete patient history.
  • Develop and integrate social and clinical skills, evidence-based studying and patient-centred decision-making in each individual case study.
  • Demonstrate a broad understanding of the components that form a laboratory result and their clinical application, with special reference to certain areas, such as diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, electrolyte imbalances, liver function tests, full blood count, and iron disorders.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between pathophysiological principles and the clinical manifestation, diagnosis, prognosis and management of common diseases.
  • Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of specialised areas of pharmacotherapy and an appreciation of the current range of theoretical and research understanding in those areas.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the anatomical and physiological factors which influence drug delivery and elimination of drugs.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion processes of toxicants (toxico-kinetics).
  • Demonstrate an understanding of target organ toxicity, typical mechanisms, and consequences involving specific organ systems.
  • Describe methods involved in the evaluation of toxic effects on selected organ systems.
  • Critically evaluate primary literature in pharmacology and toxicology.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the statistical methods commonly employed in biomedical sciences, population distributions and sampling and interpret experimental data in terms of their biological significance for the population as a whole and the individual patient.
  • Demonstrate specialist knowledge and critical understanding of clinical pharmacy to enable engagement with research in this practice.
  • Create, design and explore a work-based learning project to evaluate an issue in practice in a specialised area and evaluate this research with appropriate justification.
  • Demonstrate understanding of principles, theories and techniques relevant to clinical pharmacy to identify a complex and real-world clinical problem.
  • Undertake relevant literature surveys, including the analysis, evaluation and integration of information, and apply it to structured research and solve a problem.
  • Communicate research results effectively and ethically in a scientifically acceptable article format.
  • Verbally present research findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences, using supportive information technology.
  • Participate in and contribute to a multi-disciplinary healthcare team.
  • Critically analyse research reports, report on own research and apply research findings to specific clinical settings.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment strategy focuses on competence, which is demonstrated and assessed through a variety of means, both formative and summative.
    Formative assessment includes individual assignments, projects or practical projects, group/syndicate assignments, case studies, written tests and presentations.
    Summative assessment includes written examination and practical component and may also include an oral examination, where applicable. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The University of Strathclyde in the United Kingdom offers a Master in Clinical Pharmacy.

    The course enables pharmacists to acquire and apply knowledge of drug action in patient care and to develop the skills needed to promote the effective use of medicines in hospitals and in primary care.

    The modules cover the following:
  • Communicating and problem identification in clinical settings; clinical information sources.
  • Common laboratory tests and their relevance to monitoring patients receiving drug therapy.
  • Principles and practice of therapeutics using clinical pharmacy case problems.
  • Pharmaceutical care and management of disease states, focusing on the contribution of the pharmacist.
  • Oral communication and problem-solving skills in clinical pharmacy.
  • The pharmacological, pathological and physiological background for therapeutic strategies in the management of common disease states.
  • Clinical, laboratory and organisational methods for monitoring and assessing drug therapy.
  • Drug delivery and dosage selection.
  • Experience of pharmaceutical care within a chosen speciality of the clinical presentation and management of disease.
  • Delivery of specialised clinical pharmacy services.
  • The application of research methods to new development and a practical project.

    The University of South Australia offers a Master of Clinical Pharmacy.

    The one year qualification consists of the following modules:
  • Advanced Pharmacy Practice.
  • Social and Ethical Issues in Health.
  • Advanced Pharmacotheraputics 1.
  • Advanced Pharmacotheraputics 2.
  • Research Methods and Biostatics.
  • Medicine Management Clerkship.
  • Allied Health Evidence Base Theory and Practice.
  • Critical Thinking and Reasoning in Health.
  • Introductory Epidemiology.
  • Negotiated Study 1H.
  • Negotiated Study 2H.
  • Negotiated Study 3H.

    Curtin University in Western Australia also offers a Master of Pharmacy (Clinical Pharmacy).

    The qualification consists of the following modules:
  • Health Research Methods.
  • Drug Information.
  • Pharmaceutical Formulation.
  • Clinical Pharmacy.
  • Pharmacoeconomics.
  • Clinical Pharmacokinetics.
  • Clinical Pharmacy.
  • Clinical Pharmacy Project.
  • Oncology.
  • Paediatric Pharmacy.
  • Drug Monitoring.

    The University of Otago offers a Master of Clinical Pharmacy (MClinPharm) Degree that comprises both advanced-level taught papers and a research component. The qualification is designed for registered pharmacists working in professional areas such as community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy and industrial pharmacy who require advanced level knowledge and research skills to progress in their careers.

    Conclusion:
    The Master of Pharmacy: Advanced Clinical Pharmacy compares favourably with the four international qualifications indicated. The focus of all these qualifications is to produce a specialist clinical pharmacist who is capable of providing advanced pharmaceutical services in hospitals and other clinical environments, thereby enhancing the control and quality use of all types of medication. 

  • ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates horizontally with the following qualifications:
  • Master of Clinical Pharmacy, at NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Pharmacy, at NQF Level 9.

    This qualification articulates vertically with the following qualifications:
  • Doctor of Pharmacy, at NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy: Pharmacy, at NQF Level 10.

    This articulation can be within the institution or with other institutions offering similar qualifications. 

  • MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Course content, assignments and examinations (papers and scripts) will be subjected to internal and external moderation.

    External moderators are selected based on their expertise in the particular field of study, covered by the specific modules. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Any assessor must be a recognised expert in the discipline or sub-field and hold a qualification in the relevant discipline at a higher NQF Level than that of the modules being assessed.

    The assessor should be currently hold a teaching position or have 3 years' experience of teaching in the higher education milieu, or be recognised by academic peers as an authority in the particular discipline. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. North West University 



    All qualifications and part qualifications submitted for public comment, or registered on the National Qualifications Framework, are public property. Thus, the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction: it is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.