Edition 6/ November 2025 IN THIS EDITION: Reflections from the PSSA Southern Gauteng September Symposium: Think Health, Think Pharmacy: One Profession, Many Roles. One Profession, Many Roles: What students have to say about it. Is there an optimal time for dosing of antihypertensive medications? YOUR NOMINEES FOR 2026 PSSA SG BRANCH COMMITTEE. 1
Symposium: Think Health, Think Pharmacy: One Profession, Many Roles Pharmacist unite at WITS parkrun to celebrate pharmacy month One Profession, Many Roles: What students have to say about it SAAHIP Pharmacy Month highlights 2025 highlights Is there an optimal time for dosing of Antihypertensive medications? The Oertling long beam chemical balance Discover the New PSSA SG Office Getting To Know Avisha Morgan The heart behind the PSSA SG desk Your nominees for 2026 PSSA SG Branch Committee SAAPI on air during pharmacy month 3-5 6-7 8-9 10 11-12 12 13-14 15-16 17 18-19 SAAPI FIP IPS GMP Workshop 20 Regulatory Warning on GLP-1 Products Marketed for Weight Loss 21 2
Symposium: Think Health, Think Pharmacy: One Profession, Many Roles. WITS University, 20 September 2025 Dr Stephanie Leigh, BPharm, MPharm, PhD The PSSA Southern Gauteng September Symposium 2025 brought together pharmacists from across the province for a full day of learning, discussion, and professional connection in celebration of Pharmacy Month. Hosted at WITS Medical Schools newly constructed lecture theatres in room 519, the event showcased key developments in clinical pharmacy, regulation, digital health, and pharmaceutical innovation. Throughout the day, delegates engaged in active dialogue and bridging perspectives. Themes of ethics, digital transformation, and professional accountability recurred across sessions, reinforcing the idea that technology and humanity must evolve together. Highlights and Key Discussions Dr Stephanie Leigh, Chairperson of the PSSA Southern Gauteng CPD Sub-Committee, opened the proceedings by welcoming delegates and highlighting the importance of collaboration in sustaining professional growth. She reflected on the works of the branch over the past year and encouraged participants to be interactive, ask questions and dig deep as they reflect on talks throughout the day. Mr Tshifhiwa Rabali, Chairman of the PSSA Southern Gauteng Branch, followed with an address on leadership, outlining the branch’s continued efforts to strengthen member engagement and ensure that pharmacists remain central to the evolving healthcare landscape. 3
Council (SAPC), whose presentation, “Think Health, Think Pharmacy – One Profession, Many Roles,” explored the Council’s vision for accessible, patient-centred pharmaceutical services. She outlined SAPC’s mission to uphold ethical standards, enhance professional competence, and create an enabling environment for technology and innovation in pharmacy. Her session also addressed the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in pharmaceutical care where its use was highlighted for both its potential for improving precision medicine and adherence monitoring, and its ethical implications. Ms. Mokoena reminded delegates that AI will never replace pharmacists, but it challenges us to redefine what it means to be ethical, responsible, and human in healthcare. The Young Pharmacists Group (YPG) session, led by Ms Mmatlou Rakgase, featured Mr Mthenjwa Mtolo of Sandoz, whose talk “Motivation for Success” reflected on his professional journey from clinical practice to leadership in industry. Mr. Mtolo spoke about perseverance, discipline, and the importance of lifelong learning, sharing lessons from his transition through hospital, manufacturing, and quality assurance roles. His message stood firmly in that success is built on consistency, integrity, and value creation through hard work, which resonated strongly with attendees. The South African Association of Community Pharmacists (SAACP) contributed two sessions centred on pharmacy’s expanding public-health role under the moderation of Ms. Winny Ndlovu. Prof Samanta Tresha Lalla-Edward (Ezintsha, Wits Health Consortium) examined pharmacy-led access for HIV prevention and treatment, illustrating how community pharmacies can bridge gaps in equitable healthcare delivery. While Dr Elizabeth Egieyeh (University of the Western Cape) presented “Leveraging Community Pharmacists in Maternal and Child Health Delivery in South Africa” where she outlined global and national statistics on maternal and child mortality, linking them to the role of pharmacists in promoting vaccination, nutrition education, safe medication use, and breastfeeding support. Both Prof Samanta Tresha Lalla-Edward and Dr Egieyeh emphasised that social accountability and collaboration across disciplines remain essential to strengthening primary healthcare, noting that formal training and clear policy frameworks are key to expanding pharmacists’ capacity in primary healthcare. The South African Association of Hospital and Institutional Pharmacists (SAAHIP) sessions focused on digital transformation within clinical practice and were chaired by Ms Shoni Mulibana. Dr Meke Kapepo (University of Cape Town) shared research on the unintended use of digital health applications, particularly the reliance on WhatsApp for patient referrals. Dr Kapepos findings demonstrated that informal communication tools, while effective, raise data-security and ethical challenges, reinforcing the need for robust governance policies and secure digital platforms. Professor Collen Masimirembwa (African Institute of Biomedical Science & Technology and WITS) followed with “Pharmacogenomics Policy Framework in Africa.” He presented new data on African genomic diversity and the growing importance of pharmacogenetics in drug policy. Prof. Masimirembwa called for regional frameworks that integrate genetic insights into clinical and regulatory decision-making, promoting safer and more effective therapies. 4
where Mr Hilton Stevens managed the conversations. Mr Nicodimus Tinashe Mucherera delivered an engaging talk titled “AI and Professional Practice in Healthcare.” He described AI as “an enthusiastic intern - full of potential but needing supervision,” stressing that professionals who learn to use AI responsibly will define the future of pharmacy. His presentation covered global and African developments in AI for regulatory compliance, drug discovery, and manufacturing, while cautioning that ethical, legal, and infrastructural barriers must be addressed before widespread adoption. The Symposium concluded with Dr Skhumbuzo Ngozwana’s presentation, “The Case for Local Pharmaceutical Production – Are We Ready for the Next Pandemic?” where Dr. Ngozwana argued that Africa’s reliance on imported medicines poses a serious threat to health security. He demonstrated how the continent’s maturing manufacturing ecosystem, with over 650 licensed facilities, can meet demand if supported by enabling procurement policies and sustained investment. A call for action and reflection by pharmacists and policy makers. The 2025 Symposium confirmed that pharmacy in South Africa continues to stand at the forefront of healthcare innovation, guided by ethics, strengthened by collaboration, and driven by a shared vision of accessible, patient-centred care. Keep your diaries open for September 2026 where we will all meet again for another day of excitement, collaboration and learning. More information to follow soon! Acknowledgements The PSSA Southern Gauteng Branch acknowledges WITS Pharmacy, the Division of Pharmacy Practice, sector representatives, and all speakers for their contributions. The event also benefited from the financial support of WITS Pharmacy, the SAACP Southern Gauteng Branch and the PSSA Southern Gauteng branch committee. 5
Park Run to Celebrate Pharmacy Month On September 13, 2025, the PSSA Southern Gauteng branch collaborated with Wits Park Run, bringing together pharmacists for a fun-filled morning of fitness. A significant number of pharmacists showed up wearing green, proudly showcasing their profession while burning some calories . As one of the volunteers, I had the opportunity to be part of this exciting initiative, which aimed to promote the pharmacy profession while promoting community engagement. The event provided a platform for pharmacists to connect, network, and celebrate Pharmacy Month in a unique and refreshing way. This event showcased pharmacists' commitment to promoting healthy lifestyle choices to their patients and communities. The partnership between PSSA Southern Gauteng and Wits Park Run demonstrated the branch's dedication to fostering a sense of community among pharmacists. Pharmacy Month 2O25 One Profession, Many Roles Ester Shuping, Regulatory Affairs Pharmacist at Novartis and a YPG Provincial Liaison for the PSSA Southern Gauteng Branch. 6
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meetings to advocate for patient safety. Pharmacists are constantly making decisions, and ap- Manager ply critical thinking to make decisions that ensure opti- Pharmacists ensure pharmacy services run efficiently, mal patient care. With roles spanning manufacturing, from stock control and staff supervision to collabora- distribution, clinical practice, retail, and policy-making, tion with healthcare teams. Effective management fos- they must choose the most effective and cost-efficient ters accountability and patient-focused care, whether strategies to maximize healthcare resources across in a busy community pharmacy or hospital supply the system. chains. With digital tools and pharmapre- Leader neurship on the rise, pharmacists now Being the custodian of medicines means manage both medicines and innovations we are responsible for the mainstay ther- that expand access to care. apies used in patient treatment, and thus Lifelong Learner are crucial in the health system and As healthcare evolves, pharmacists must should be leading within that system. This keep learning, beyond CPD workshops, to is more than managing patient therapies. stay competent and relevant. By embrac- The pharmacist should lead discussions, ing technology, applying updated guide- plans, and actions to ensure optimal patient advocacy lines, and engaging with global and local innovations, and care. they align practice with international standards while Caregiver meeting community needs. This commitment ensures Being a caregiver means pharmacists provide holistic, care remains safe, current, and evidence-based. patient-centred care with genuine concern for well- Researcher being. Pharmacists monitor therapy outcomes, man- Pharmacists also play a key role in research that age side effects, and tailor treatments to individual drives better healthcare. This may involve clinical tri- needs, often through follow-ups and lifestyle-based als, pharmacovigilance, or community-based studies medication plans. In communities, we lead health on how medicines are used. In research, pharmacists campaigns, run screenings for chronic conditions, and identify gaps, spark new ideas, and create solutions offer counselling to support patients. grounded in local health needs. By working with uni- Communicator versities, industry, and global partners, pharmacist As communicators, pharmacists bridge the gap be- researchers add both academic insight and practical tween complex pharmaceutical knowledge and patient solutions to improve access, affordability, and patient understanding. safety. Pharmacists listen actively, ask thoughtful questions, and ensure patients know how to . use their medications. Beyond verbal counselling, pharmacists use tools like pictorial labels and QR codes linking to multilingual instructional videos and leverage social media for public health campaigns. We also collaborate with other healthcare professionals through clear referrals and multidisciplinary team 8
Agent of Positive Change This role extends beyond the classroom and into eve- Pharmacists exemplify advocacy, leadership, and ry encounter with patients, students including phar- service by driving initiatives like Pharmacy Month macist assistants and technicians, colleagues, and campaigns, donation drives, and student-led health the community. Translating complex medical infor- programs in underserved communities. This role also mation into clear, practical guidance. Whether it is includes shaping policy through engagement with through teaching a patient to use an inhaler or a sup- SAPC, SAHPRA, and global bodies like WHO to pro- pository correctly, guiding interns on clinical reason- mote safer, more equitable healthcare systems. ing, or mentoring peers on ethical decision-making. Compiled by: WITS Pharmacy Students Council Pharmacists contribute to academia through lectures and tutorials to empower others with knowledge that will sustain the profession’s growth. Entrepreneur Pharmapreneurs identify opportunities to meet health needs in innovative and sustainable ways, by launching independent pharmacies, mobile clinics, and digital platforms that expand access and education. We collaborate with industry to deliver safer, affordable medicines and technologies, while using campaigns, screenings, and social media to build awareness. Pharmacists also master formulation, creating products from pharmaceuticals to cosmetics, the possibili- ties are endless. TELL US ABOUT YOUR GOLDEN MOMENT Celebrating the Heart of Pharmacy – One Story at a Time Have you ever had a moment that made you stop and say, “This is why I’m proud to be a pharmacist”? Or perhaps a fellow pharmacist inspired you, mentored you, or made a difference in your journey? We want to hear your story – a short, heartfelt reflection on a real experience that reminded you of the impact, passion, and power of our profession. Whether it was a late-night patient save, a word of encouragement from a colleague, or a lesson that shaped your path. Share it with us and help us celebrate the incredible community behind the counter, the clipboard, and the care. Email: Management@pssasg.co.za 9
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