TEACHING PHARMACEUTICAL CARE PRINCIPLES FOR PHC

A variety of forces impel pharmacy educators to critically evaluate an d transform their curricula. In South Africa particular pressure ir ex perienced as a result of the radical overhaul of the health care deliv ery system. Future pharmacists must be equipped to practise in a prima ry care-driven National Health System. increasingly the profession in South Africa is embracing the philosophy of Pharmaceutical Care. Progr ammes which expose the student to problem solving in community health care settings may be helpful in changing professional attitudes and pr oviding appropriate knowledge and skills. Our experience in one such p rogramme is described where final-year pharmacy students were trained in a primary care clinic setting. Student evaluation of this innovativ e programme was generally positive, with an increasing number of stude nts expressing an interest in a career in the public health sector Thi s programme has now been fully integrated into the curriculum.