The theme of the 41st Annual General Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA) was "The Challenge of Change" and from the opening speech by the Minister of Health and the very interesting address by Professor John Simpson, the pharmacists of South Africa were told that they must adapt to the new situation in SA or face extinction in the retail business sphere.
Because of
the vast problems facing the private sector, this year's conference, more than
ever, centred around their problems, ranging from medical aid schemes, closed
contracts, especially Transmed and Iscor, dispensing doctors, state and
semi-state institutions.
From
SAAHIP's point of view, this conference was definitely low key. Very little
discussion took place concerning Hospital Pharmacy as such. A resolution calling for the incoming
executive to investigate a possible restructuring of the PSSA along the lines
of the Chamber of Commerce was carried. This, it is hoped, will bring all the
various sectors in pharmacy under one umbrella so that the PSSA could
effectively talk with one voice. The Minister of Health indicated his problem
with having to deal with many different "voices" for pharmacy. This
would not affect our autonomy but would give us a more direct say in
pharmaceutical politics as a whole.
A
resolution calling on the Pharmacy Council to take action against the use of
generic substitution in state and semi-state dispensing environment was lost.
The
resolution requesting the Executive to enter urgent negotiations with the N.P.A
"in an endeavour to prevent the bulk of the Department of Health
dispensing being taken over by the Department of Hospital Services" was
amended and the words N.P.A were deleted and replaced with "other relevant
bodies". It is apparent that the newly-elected President and Executive
have an urgent and mammoth task to continue negotiations with all the
interested parties concerning medicine distribution in South Africa. Dr
Watermeyer of State Health undertook to assist in getting the various parties
together, including the doctors, and with his acknowledged expertise as a
chairman it is hoped that substantial progress may be made in tackling
Pharmacy's problems in South Africa.
The new
PSSA President is Louis Rontgen who I believe comes from the Boland Branch- a
highly skilled young man, who it is believed has a lot of political clout which
he may be able to put to good effect for pharmacy. The Vice-President is Mr
Willie Kock from the Free State. I think it is many years since a Natal pharmacist
did not occupy one of the top positions. Whoever goes to conference in East
London next year will have to be "heeltemal tweetalig" as these two
gentlemen only use Afrikaans when speaking in debate, The Executive Committee
saw some changes including the election of a lady pharmacist, Ms Delport, for
the first time in history.
On the
social side, the entertainment, dinners, etc were magnificent. Genuine 5-star
treatment was enjoyed by all. I understand the wives of delegates were really
treated royally and thoroughly enjoyed their stay in Cape Town.
It was a
marvelous opportunity to meet and discuss problems in Pharmacy in an informal
manner as well. For the first time three of the four Chiefs of Pharmaceutical Services
in South Africa were present: Mr Mitchell, Mr Prinsloo, Mr Durandt, also Mr
Bell from KwaZulu. I also had the pleasure of meeting with the representatives
from Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. I learnt a great deal about their way of
life and the way pharmacy is conducted in their countries. Believe me, Zimbabwe
have certainly buttoned up the problem of the dispensing doctor and we can be
very envious of them in this regard.
