E-DRUG: University of Western Cape Pharmaceutical Public Health Modules, Post Grad Diploma, MPH and PhD Courses in Public Health
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Dear E-Druggers,
We are happy to bring to your attention the notice about applications for the University of the 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.
The 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 in Public Health 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 core 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 relevant to their area of work. Previous topics have included Antimicrobial Consumption and Use, Medicine Availability, pricing and affordability studies, Supply chain management assessment, and perceptions on National Health Insurance.
The third is the School's PhD programme. This programme is aimed at health leaders and those pursuing an academic career. We offer an academically oriented doctorate by thesis only. This work should contribute new and original knowledge to your chosen field.
While the focus of the School of Public Health 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 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 webinars and discussions via virtual platforms. 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.
We encourage E-Druggers to consider applying.
You can find more information about the School, the Staff, the above programmes, which included CE modules, and application details on the SOPH website:
https://soph.uwc.ac.za/news/call-for-applications-2023-postgraduate-diploma-in-public-health-master-of-public-health-phd/
You can then get into direct contact with the Student Administrator, Ms Janine Kader, should you require any more information Email: mailto:soph-comm@uwc.ac.za
Please take note: Deadline for Applications for MPH and PGD close on 30 September 2022
For specific queries about the pharmaceutical modules please contact Dr Hazel Bradley at Tel: +27 21 9592630/+27 72 2979932 or Email: mailto:hbradley@uwc.ac.za OR Prof Renier Coetzee at Tel: +27 21 959 2632 or Email: mailto:recoetzee@uwc.ac.za
Dr Hazel Bradley BPharm, MPH, PhD
Senior Lecturer
School of Public Health
University of the Western Cape
South Africa
Tel: +27 21 9592630/+27 72 2979932
Email: hbradley@uwc.ac.za