Pharmacists on the brink: Unemployment sparks threat of sit-in protest

Pharmacists on the brink: Unemployment sparks threat of sit-in protest

The unemployed pharmacists stated that they currently work temporary or locum positions, offering insufficient and unstable salaries.

Unemployed pharmacists threaten to sit- in protest

Unemployed pharmacists are now part of a growing movement alongside job-seeking doctors and teachers, urging the government to create employment opportunities.

Around 100 unemployed pharmacists gathered and marched to the Health Department’s headquarters at the Natalia building on Monday, calling the government to hire post-community service pharmacists.

During the demonstration, the group’s representative, Sandile Nzuza, handed over a memorandum expressing concern that the number of unemployed post-community service pharmacists was “growing significantly.”

“We have noticed, during our community service, that the ratio of pharmacists per patient is untenable,” Nzuza said.

“This could mean that people are not given proper advice when they are receiving medication and this also hinders an individual’s ability to get [and take] medication [as instructed],” Nzuza said.

According to The Witness, the unemployed pharmacists explained that they currently work in temporary or locum positions, where the salary is inadequate and unreliable.

Nkalipho Ndlovu explained the anguish of not having a permanent job.

“The salary we receive for working as a locum is not a lot at all, especially if you’re only standing in for someone for one or two days,” Ndlovu said.

He added that the most worrying part of working as a locum is that there was no guarantee of income.

“Sometimes I go a month without working, which means that I receive no salary for that entire month,” Ndlovu said.

Ndlovu completed his community service last year, leaving him unemployed for four months.

During the memorandum handover on Monday, all the pharmacists voiced their frustration at unemployment despite completing their four-year Bachelor of Pharmacy degree and fulfilling all other requirements, such as internships and community service.

“The availability of sufficient pharmacists in the public service sector will strengthen the healthcare system of South Africa and reduce patients’ waiting times across all health facilities as there will be sufficient hands to support the demands and enable the department to meet its objectives,” the memorandum read.

If the department doesn’t respond to the memorandum by 24 April, Nzuza stated they’ll take the same approach as unemployed doctors and set up camp outside the building until the Department of Health takes accountability and action.

Benylin blunder: SAHPRA recalls dodgy cough syrup batches

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has issued a recall for two batches of Benylin pediatric cough syrup.

This action came after the Nigerian National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) alerted authorities on April 10, 2024, about high levels of diethylene glycol found in one batch of syrup.

According to the SAHPRA, diethylene glycol is toxic to humans when consumed and can prove fatal.

According to the South African News Agency, Toxic effects of diethylene glycol can cause various symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty urinating, headaches, changes in mental state, and acute kidney injury, which can be fatal.

“SAHPRA immediately contacted the South African manufacturer, Kenvue, formerly Johnson and Johnson, for a response. Following engagements with the manufacturer and in the best interest of the public, it was resolved that affected batches would immediately be recalled while an investigation is ongoing,” the local drug watchdog explained.

SAHPRA, working with Kenvue, has pinpointed the problematic batch numbers as 329304 and 329303.

These batches were distributed to multiple countries, including South Africa, Eswatini, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria.

SAHPRA CEO Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela emphasized the importance of recalling medical products to address safety and quality concerns and safeguard public health.

Those who have consumed these two batches and experienced any adverse reaction or witnessed it in children should consult their healthcare professional and report this using the Med Safety App or email [email protected].

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