In 1995, South Africa commenced the implementation of a new quality assuran
ce program at all educational levels, which promotes outcomes-based educati
on. Degree programs and academic institutions have to be accredited by the
South African Qualifications Authority through discipline-specific Educatio
n Training and Quality Assurance bodies. In response to these changes in ed
ucation structure, the South African Pharmacy Council has developed outcome
s-based competency standards for entry-level pharmacists. On the basis of t
hese standards, the School of Pharmacy of the Medical University of Souther
n Africa, which served a non-white population during the apartheid era, and
the Technikon Pretoria, which served a predominantly white student populat
ion, have jointly established an integrated, problem-based BPharm curriculu
m. The student intake on the program reflects the South African demographic
composition. The course is designed to meet both the competency requiremen
ts and the needs of historically disadvantaged sections of the community. I
t is now in its third year, with encouraging pass rates.