E-DRUG: University of Western Cape Pharmaceutical Public Health Modules, Post Grad Diploma, MPH and PhD Courses in Public Health
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E-Druggers,
I am happy to bring to your attention the notice about applications for the University of Western Cape courses that cater for pharmacists or others interested in studying public health. There are very few Schools of Public Health around the world that offer an opportunity to study public health with a pharmaceutical focus.
University of Western Cape offers a range of programmes that can help a pharmacist learn about public health. There are three levels of programmes:
The first is the Postgraduate Diploma that comprises six modules that introduce students to key public health principles and practice.
The second is the MPH - which is a typical Masters level programme with a combination of required and elective modules combined with a mini thesis. At present, three of the elective modules relate to pharmaceutical topics.
These are:
- Rational Use of Medicines,
- Medicines Supply Management, and
- Pharmaceutical Policy and Management.
The MPH mini thesis gives students the opportunity to undertake research on pharmaceutical topics related to public health such as Antimicrobial Consumption, Use of Collectors for NCD Medicines, Advice given in Pharmacies about Antibiotic Use - and to explore questions such as "Why do patients with health insurance not use it to buy their medicines?"
The third is the School's PhD programme where current students are studying interventions to improve medicine use in a small country and asthma management.
While the focus of the School of Public Health, UWC is on students from Africa, some students from outside the continent have taken individual modules and may be considered if their work experience relates to access to essential medicines in a LMIC and for whom no local pharmaceutical MPH programme is available.
Access to medicines remains a key challenge in many countries' UHC programs. Pharmacists play a key role in addressing this problem and yet they frequently lack the opportunity to study public health to be effective members of national public health teams tasked with planning and implementing UHC to fulfil the 2030 Strategic Development Goals.
Long before Covid-19, UWC's School of Public Health has used distance learning techniques for their programmes moving from paper-based materials to web based course materials, most recently combined with Zoom or Skype discussions. Doing such programmes is demanding especially if you are working full time and have other family commitments. But every year, committed students succeed and achieve high positions in their countries. Others go on to work for NGOs including Faith Based Organizations (missions) and others international organizations like WHO.
I would encourage E-Druggers to consider applying
You can find more information about the School, the Staff, the above programmes and application details on the SOPH website: http://www.uwcsoph.co.za/index.php/academic-programmes
You can then get into direct contact with the Student Administrator, Ms Janine Kader, should you require any more information (
Email: soph-comm@uwc.ac.za
Please take note: Deadline for Applications close on 30 September 2020
For specific queries about the pharmaceutical modules please contact Hazel Bradley at Tel: +27 21 9592630/+27 72 2979932
or Email: hbradley@uwc.ac.za
Best wishes to E-Druggers in these challenging times.
Richard Laing
Extraordinary Professor,
School of Public Health,
Faculty of Community and Health Sciences,
University of Western Cape,
Belville, South Africa.
Tel +1 617 435 7860 (Mobile)
E mail richardl@bu.edu