How to Become a Pharmacy Assistant in SA: The Complete Guide

Key Takeaways: The “No Job, No Course” Rule

The Golden Rule: You cannot enroll in a Pharmacy Assistant course just by paying fees. You MUST be employed (or volunteering) full-time in a pharmacy first. The training is “in-service.”

The Qualification: The old “Basic” and “Post-Basic” courses have been updated to Occupational Certificates (NQF Level 4).

Entry Requirements: You need Grade 12 with Mathematics (Pure or Lit) and English. Life Science is a bonus.

The Money: Starting salaries in retail (Clicks/Dis-Chem) are low (approx R4,500 – R6,000 pm), but Government positions pay significantly higher (approx R15,000+ pm) once you are Post-Basic qualified.

The Providers: You must study through an SAPC-accredited provider like S Buys Academy, Health Science Academy (HSA), or the Clicks Pharmacy Healthcare Academy.

Healthcare is one of the few recession-proof industries in South Africa. People get sick whether the economy is up or down.

If you want to work in medicine but didn’t get the marks (or the funding) to become a Doctor or Pharmacist, becoming a Pharmacist’s Assistant is the best entry point.

However, this is also the most misunderstood career path. Thousands of students get scammed by bogus colleges promising “Pharmacy Certificates” that the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) does not recognize.

Here is the definitive guide to doing it the right way.

1. The Hierarchy: Where Do You Fit?

In South Africa, the pharmacy profession is strictly ranked. You cannot jump levels without the specific qualification.

Level 1: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Basic)

Role: You mostly work in the stockroom. You unpack medicine, label shelves, and help with pre-packing. You are not allowed to give advice to patients.
Duration: 12 Months.

Level 2: Pharmacist’s Assistant (Post-Basic)

Role: This is the “Qualified” level. You can dispense medicine (under supervision), give advice on Schedule 1 and 2 medicines (like headache tablets and cough mixtures), and help manage the dispensary.
Duration: 12 Months (after completing Basic).

Level 3: Pharmacy Technician (The New Standard)

Role: A higher-level mid-level worker who can do more complex dispensing and management.
Qualification: NQF Level 6 (Diploma).

2. The “Learnership Model” (Why You Can’t Just “Register”)

This is where 90% of people get confused.

You cannot walk into a college and “sign up” for Pharmacy Assistant classes.

This course is an Occupational Qualification. This means:

You must first find a job (as a general assistant/packer) in a registered pharmacy (Retail, Hospital, or Manufacturing).
Your boss (the Pharmacist) must agree to be your Tutor.
Only then do you register with a training provider (like S Buys) and the SAPC.

The Reality: If you see a college advertising a “Full-Time Classroom Pharmacy Assistant Course” without a workplace component, it is likely a scam or a non-credit-bearing course.

3. Entry Requirements

To register with the SAPC as a Learner Basic Pharmacist’s Assistant, you need:

Grade 12 (Matric Certificate).
English: Passed (50%+).
Mathematics: Pure Maths (50%) OR Maths Literacy (60%).
Note: Some employers (like Dis-Chem) strictly require Pure Maths, while others accept Maths Lit.
Life Science (Biology): Highly recommended, sometimes mandatory depending on the provider.

4. Where to Study: Accredited Providers

Since you study while you work, these providers offer “Distance Learning” with workshops. You don’t go to campus every day; you study at home and write exams.

1. Health Science Academy (HSA)

Affiliation: Part of the Ethiqal group.
Reputation: One of the largest providers. They handle training for many independent pharmacies and hospital groups.
Website: www.hsa.co.za

2. S Buys Academy

Affiliation: Linked to the Sparkport/S Buys group.
Reputation: The gold standard for many independent pharmacies. Their study guides are legendary in the industry.
Website: www.sbuys.co.za

3. Clicks Pharmacy Healthcare Academy

How to get in: You don’t apply to the academy directly. You apply for a job at Clicks as a “Shop Assistant.” If you show potential, they will offer you a bursary to study through their internal academy.

4. Dis-Chem Nursing & Pharmacy Academy

How to get in: Similar to Clicks. You apply for a “Learner Basic” vacancy on the Dis-Chem careers portal.

5. How to Get the Job (The Application Strategy)

Since you need the job before the course, your focus should be on employment.

Strategy A: The Corporate Route (Clicks/Dis-Chem)

Visit their career sites (careers.clicksgroup.co.za or dischem.net/careers).
Look for vacancies titled “Learner Basic Pharmacist Assistant” or “Shop Assistant (Dispensary).”
Tip: Even if you start as a cashier, let the Pharmacy Manager know you have Matric Maths and want to study. Internal promotion is common.

Strategy B: The Independent Route (Local Pharmacy)

Print your CV and Matric results.
Walk into every small pharmacy in your town (the ones that aren’t big chains).
Ask to speak to the Responsible Pharmacist.
Say: “I have Matric Maths and I want to become an Assistant. I am willing to work as a packer/cleaner to prove myself if you will register me as a learner later.”

6. The Salary: Managing Expectations

There is a massive gap between the private and public sectors.

Retail Sector (Clicks, Dis-Chem, Mom & Pop Stores)

Learner/Basic: R4,500 – R6,500 per month.
Post-Basic (Qualified): R8,000 – R12,000 per month.
Why so low? The retail sector is profit-driven and wages are tight.

Government Sector (Public Hospitals/Clinics)

Learner: Earns a stipend (approx R4,000 – R6,000).
Post-Basic (Qualified): Grade 1 starts at approx R200,000+ per year (R16,000+ per month) plus massive benefits (housing, medical, pension).
The Goal: Most assistants qualify in retail (Clicks) and then try to “jump” to a government hospital job for the salary increase.

7. The Curriculum: What Will You Learn?

The course is practical. You will learn:

Legal & Ethics: The Pharmacy Act, Medicines Control Council rules.
Stock Control: How to order medicine, check expiry dates, and store cold-chain items (insulin/vaccines).
Dispensing (Post-Basic): How to read a doctor’s script, count tablets, mix suspensions (antibiotics), and label bottles correctly.
Pharmacology: Basic knowledge of what drugs do (e.g., “This is for high blood pressure”).

Summary: A Stepping Stone

Becoming a Pharmacist’s Assistant is hard work. You are on your feet all day, dealing with sick patients. But it is a career with a clear ladder.

Action Plan:

Check your Matric Certificate: Do you have Maths and English? If not, upgrade them first.
Volunteer: If you can’t find a paying job, ask a local pharmacy if you can volunteer for 3 months. Experience is the only way to open the door.
Avoid Scams: If a college asks for R10,000 upfront and says “We will find you a pharmacy later,” run away.

Disclaimer: Registration categories and scope of practice are regulated by the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC). Always verify your provider’s accreditation on the SAPC website.