1. Issues on Dispensing
Dr Percy Mahlathi

2. National Drug Policy 1996 Health objectives:
Availability & accessibility of medicines
Safety, efficacy & quality
Rational use by prescribers, dispensers & patients through training, education & information
Concept of individual responsibility for health, preventive care & informed decision making

3. National Drug Policy Economic objectives:
Lower cost in private & public sectors
Promote cost-effective & rational use
Establish complementary partnership between government and private providers in pharmaceutical sector

4. Registration & Licensing
Only registered practitioners & licensed (Act 101 of 1965)
Medical Practitioners & Nurses not permitted to dispense except where no services available
For doctors & nurses to dispense, need dispensing license

5. Registration & Licensing
Proven competency by virtue of successful completion of training programme
Uniform norms & standards incorporated into one set of regulations
Non-pharmacist ownership, pharmacy to be under the full-time management & supervision of a registered pharmacist

6. Act 90 of 1997
Many aspects of national drug policy incorporated into Act 90
Consideration of objective conditions
Ensure minimum deviation from policy position
Leave room for improvement based on experience gathered during implementation

7. Other issues in GP Market forces Direct payment
Self referral to specialists
Pre-authorization
Oversupply in certain areas
HMO’s

8. Progress on Licensing