South Africa
South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC)
Understand the structure, what to focus on, then jump into the exact papers and tests.
Overview
South Africa’s pharmacist licensing pathway is regulated by the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC). After the BPharm degree, candidates complete a one-year pharmacist internship, undergo the pre-registration evaluation, and then register as pharmacists for the purpose of pharmaceutical community service before unrestricted practice.
Internship First · Pre-registration Evaluation · Community Service · Full Registration
Prep plan (simple & effective)
- Pass 1: Cover the SAPC general-practice areas fast → community, institutional, and manufacturing pharmacy
- Pass 2: Drill calculations separately → 40 calculation MCQs in 2 hours, with a 60% subminimum
- Review: Reattempt missed questions within 48 hours, especially GPP, GMP, scheduling, ADRs, and pharmacovigilance
- Final week: Run timed Day 1 and Day 2 practice, then revise only your weak areas
Pharmacists: SAPC Pre-registration Exam
Day 1: Calculation Questions
- Format: 40 calculation MCQs in 2 hours.
- Subminimum: 60% for the calculation section.
- Core Focus: Dosing, dilutions, reconstitution, displacement volume, infusion rates, isotonicity, mEq/mmol, stock, cost, and manufacturing calculations.
- What Is Tested: Fast, accurate, pharmacy-relevant calculation under time pressure.
Day 2: General Questions
- Format: 80 general MCQs in 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Subminimum: 50% for the general section.
- Core Focus: Community, institutional, and manufacturing pharmacy, GPP, GMP, EML/STG, law, scheduling, ADRs, pharmacovigilance, and medicine safety.
- What Is Tested: Practical South African pharmacy judgement across all sectors, not just your internship sector.
