Edition 4, September 2026 MONTH Y C A M R PHA Ask Your Pharmacist Trusted advice. Better health. Stronger together. ACCESSIBLE. TRUSTED. PROFESSIONAL.
SAAHIP Brings Hope and Smiles 03 to Banakekeleni Child Youth Care Centre in Alexandra Township 04 Leeches as medicinal agents Women’s month feature on our 06 social media platforms Celebrating 80 Years of the PSSA: 07 Reflections from Academia on Eight Decades of Professional Excellence Addressing South Africa's Reliance 09 on Section 21: Insights from Dr Shyamli Munbodh Spotlight on WPSC's Work Ready 11 Campaign SAHPRA Section 21 Medicines: 13 Documentation, Traceability and the Pharmacist’s Role 14 SAAPI Workshops
03 SAAHIP Brings Hope and Smiles to Banakekeleni Child Youth Care Centre in Alexandra Township PREPARED BY: SHONI MULIBANA The declaration of the 18th of July as Nelson Mandela International Day has provided the people in South Africa and around the world an opportunity to perform acts of service and community engagement to recognise Mandela’s extraordinary contribution to peace, democracy, human rights and social justice. In celebration of the spirit of service inspired by Nelson Mandela Day, SAAHIP SG collaborated with the Johannesburg Health District Pharmacy Team and Biovac® to visit the Banakekeleni Child Youth Care Centre in Alexandra Township on the 17th of July 2026. This was done as part of our ongoing social responsibility programme. As we arrived at the centre, we were warmly welcomed by the Centre’s manager, Ms Sibongile Sithole. Banakekeleni CYCC is a full-time home for about 45 children who are orphans and vulnerable. The centre ensures that the children go to school, receive proper meals, and most importantly, are surrounded with love. Our primary purpose for visiting the centre was to spend meaningful time with the children, while providing practical support. More importantly, we wanted to create joyful memories, foster hope and remind every child that they are valued and loved. SAAHIP contributed to their joy by assisting with collecting food and clothing items which were donated to the centre amongst other items. These donations will help meet some of the children's immediate needs and demonstrate the power of collective action in supporting vulnerable populations. Beyond the donations, it was a day well spent with the young children and the youth, full of music, dancing, games and reading storybooks. Storytelling created an opportunity to inspire curiosity, imagination, and a love for reading while allowing our team to engage with each child on a personal level. 2026
04 The smiles, laughter, and enthusiasm displayed throughout the day served as a powerful reminder that community outreach is about far more than material donations. Sometimes the greatest gift is the gift of time, kindness, encouragement, and human connection. SAAHIP SG would like to thank the Johannesburg Health District Pharmacists, Biovac representatives and everyone who contributed to the success of this day. We would also like to acknowledge the generosity of members who donated food, clothing, and their valuable time to ensure the children experienced a memorable and enjoyable day. To Ms Sibongile and her team, we extend our warmest well wishes and deepest gratitude for opening your home to us and for the love, care and dedication you pour into the lives of the children. Your tireless efforts bring hope and joy where it is most needed. May the future bring even greater support and contributions, helping to make your dreams for the children a reality and ensuring that their wishes come true. LEECHES AS MEDICINAL AGENTS PREPARED BY: LYNETTE TERBLANCHE Leech therapy, also known as hirudotherapy, has ancient origins. The use of leeches for bloodletting dates back about 4,000 years. During a time of limited understanding of the human body, physicians used bloodletting to treat a wide range of conditions. Leeches were used to treat nervous system abnormalities, dental problems, skin diseases and infections. Leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) are worms with front and back suckers. The front sucker has saw-like teeth that pierce the skin and release tiny amounts of hirudin, an anticoagulant and anaesthetic, which then allows them to suck between 5 and 15ml of blood. Pharmacists sold leeches to physicians for bloodletting. Featured here is an example of a jar used to store leeches. This jar, the property of the Corry Pharmacy for over 60 years, was donated to the museum by Harry Galgut in 1950. These jars were made in the 1800s and used to store leeches collected from riverbeds. Today, the use of leeches is supported by a scientific understanding of the complex bioactive compounds found in the leech’s saliva. This understanding has led to its FDA classification as a medical device. Contemporary applications focus on specific, evidence-based treatments, primarily in complex surgical settings and to reduce swelling following reconstructive and microsurgical procedures. Additional information on the use of leeches today can be found at: https://scienceinsights.org/how-are-leeches-used-in-modern-medicine 2026
GAUTENG live on social media
06 Women’s month feature on our social media platforms 2026
07 Celebrating 80 Years of the PSSA: Reflections from Academia on Eight Decades of Professional Excellence PREPARED BY: KIARA SUDU The Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA) commemorates a remarkable milestone in 2026 as it celebrates 80 years of advancing the pharmacy profession and contributing meaningfully to healthcare in South Africa. This anniversary provides an important opportunity not only to honour the Society’s rich history, but also to reflect on its enduring contribution to pharmaceutical education, professional development, research, and patient-centred healthcare. From an academic perspective, the PSSA has played a significant role in shaping pharmacy education and professional practice in South Africa since its establishment in 1946. Over the decades, the Society has consistently championed excellence in pharmaceutical sciences, ethical professional conduct, and the advancement of pharmacists as essential members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team. The relationship between academia and the PSSA remains fundamental to the continued growth and sustainability of the profession. Through collaboration with institutions of higher learning, the Society has contributed towards strengthening pharmacy curricula, promoting continuous professional development, encouraging evidence-based practice, and promoting research and innovation within the pharmaceutical sector. Academic institutions have long recognised the value of the PSSA in creating opportunities for professional engagement, mentorship, scholarly exchange, and leadership development. Many pharmacists, educators, and researchers have benefited from the Society’s commitment to advancing professional knowledge and supporting lifelong learning. Equally important has been the Society’s role in nurturing future generations of pharmacy professionals by encouraging student participation and professional identity formation. As the pharmacy profession continues to evolve in response to changing healthcare demands, technological advancements, and global healthcare challenges, the role of pharmacists has become increasingly patient-centred and collaborative. In this regard, the PSSA continues to provide leadership and advocacy for the profession while supporting innovation and responsiveness within pharmaceutical practice and education. The 80th Anniversary therefore represents more than a historical achievement; it reflects the resilience and adaptability of the profession and the collective contribution of pharmacists across all sectors, including academia, community practice, hospital pharmacy, industry, and public health. As members of the academic community, we acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa towards promoting excellence within pharmacy education and professional practice. The Society’s commitment to ethical leadership, professional advancement, and healthcare improvement continues to inspire both educators and students alike. Wits University extends its sincere congratulations and gratitude to the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa on its 80th anniversary. We thank the PSSA for eight decades of dedicated leadership, professional advancement, and service to the nation, and for its enduring contribution to pharmacy education and healthcare in South Africa. As the Society enters its ninth decade, we look forward to continued collaboration in shaping the future of the profession and improving healthcare outcomes for all South Africans. 2026
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09 Addressing South Africa's Reliance on Section 21: Insights from Dr Shyamli Munbodh PREPARED BY: DR ZELNA BOOTH On 4 August 2026, Dr Shyamli Munbodh, Head of the Section professional information, or informed consent; supporting 21 Unit (Category A Medicines for Human Use) at the South documents African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), demonstrate an unmet medical need; and cases where a addressed an audience of more than 200 attendees on the registered equivalent already exists. current state of the Section 21 application framework and Turning to the unit's operational challenges, Dr Munbodh the systemic pressures driving its use. acknowledged Dr Munbodh opened by explaining how the Section 21 fragmented, with hospitals submitting individual patient framework governs access to unregistered medicines in applications that produce reactive, case-by-case approvals South Africa, before turning to the broader context behind rather than visibility into national trends. This lack of the framework's growing use. Persistent stock-outs, global central API shortages, manufacturing quality issues, demand inconsistent forecasting errors, and wider supply chain disruptions have SAHPRA's own Section 21 guideline mandates monitoring of combined to deepen the country's dependency on Section application trends to enable more proactive national 21 authorisations to maintain access to essential medicines. action. These shortages are felt most acutely in high-acuity settings In closing, Dr Munbodh set out recommendations aimed at such as ICUs, operating theatres, and oncology wards, restoring Section 21 to its intended purpose as a where delays in accessing alternatives can compromise mechanism of last resort rather than a routine workaround. patient outcomes. Within this context, hospital pharmacists These included coordinated oversight and system-wide and clinicians carry an ongoing ethical obligation to secure review to enable early warning of supply disruptions; continued access to medicines for their patients, often closer engagement with suppliers to identify root causes through repeated applications. and Regarding the application process, Dr Munbodh reminded requirements for suppliers relying on Section 21 access for attendees via longer than 24 months, including submission of registration SAHPRA's online submission portal, accompanied by the plans or justification for continued exceptional access. She prescribed fee and containing, at minimum, the information also called for greater transparency, including publishing required under regulation 29(2). For Category A medicines lists of medicines repeatedly accessed via Section 21, for human use, supporting documentation - including proof alongside national shortage protocols with clear escalation of payment, the Microbiological Culture and Sensitivity paths, improved data sharing between hospitals, suppliers, (MC&S) report, informed consent, GMP certificates, and and SAHPRA, and consideration of compulsory stock-out professional information - must be uploaded with the reporting for registered medicines. application and translated into English where necessary. Ultimately, Dr Munbodh stressed, resolving these systemic She also flagged applicants' ongoing reporting obligations challenges will depend on sustained partnership between once an application is approved, including progress SAHPRA, national and provincial health departments, reports, adverse event reports, close-out reports, and usage healthcare providers, and industry - a collaborative effort data, that is essential to restoring the integrity and sustainability that applications particularly for must applications be submitted covering multiple patients. not translated that oversight develop the current leads responses mitigation into to to English; process duplicated shortages, strategies; failure is largely effort even and to and though enhanced of medicine access in South Africa. To help applicants avoid delays, Dr Munbodh outlined the most common reasons applications are returned or rejected: the applicant not being a registered medical doctor, or lacking proof of HPCSA registration; incomplete forms; missing documents such as GMP certificates, 2026
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