The key role of pharmacy clinics in South Africa's evolving healthcare system

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As trusted "custodians of medicine", they support both physicians and patients, ensuring personalised care.

According to Ahmed Bayat, chief operating officer of the Independent Community Pharmacy Association (ICPA), pharmacies must remain widespread and affordable to maintain the wellbeing of communities and ensure accessible healthcare for all.

“Pharmacies in South Africa are doing more for their patients than ever before,” Bayat explains. “They now prioritise patient outcomes, disease prevention, health promotion, and self-care. The pharmacy has evolved beyond simply being a place to dispense medication.”

With South Africa’s healthcare system under increasing pressure and the National Health Insurance (NHI) still in the early stages of implementation, pharmacy clinics are emerging as a critical solution.

They offer a convenient, accessible entry point to healthcare for patients who are self-funding and managing their care. By preventing disease and providing early intervention, pharmacies play a crucial role in reducing the burden on overstrained healthcare systems.

Bayat underscores the importance of pharmacy clinics in filling the gaps left by the shortage of healthcare professionals. “South Africa needs an additional 97,000 healthcare workers by next year to meet the country’s needs,” he explains.

“Pharmacies are stepping up, offering a smart, accessible route to self-care and wellbeing.”

Pharmacy clinics: An accessible, first point of care

Pharmacy clinics have become essential in providing quick, cost-effective healthcare solutions. As Bayat points out, pharmacies are often the first point of entry into the healthcare system for many South Africans.

“Globally, consumers are turning to pharmacies for help with minor ailments and preventive care. Their convenience and trusted role in the community makes them a natural first contact for many people.”

This trend is driving pharmacies to expand their services, making them more than just medication dispensaries. In partnership with platforms like RecoMed, pharmacy clinics are becoming hubs for patient care, offering easy booking of consultations, whether in-person or virtually.

RecoMed, South Africa’s leading online healthcare appointment booking platform, is a game-changer for pharmacy clinics. It enables patients to book appointments for consultations, wellness checkups, and minor ailment treatments at their local pharmacy clinics, enhancing the patient experience by making access to care easier and more efficient.

Patients benefit from the convenience of quick, affordable care, while pharmacists play an increasingly active role in managing minor conditions, building trust, and strengthening patient relationships.

“The value is twofold,” says Sheraan Amod, chief executive officer of RecoMed. “Patients receive fast, convenient care, and pharmacists enhance their role as frontline healthcare providers.”

Telemedicine: A new frontier for pharmacy clinics

One of the most exciting developments in pharmacy clinics is the integration of telemedicine services. Bayat highlights that pharmacies, especially those in remote areas, are becoming central hubs for telemedicine consultations, connecting patients to GPs via virtual platforms like RecoMed.

“Telemedicine provides patients with increased access to care, convenience, and cost savings,” Bayat says. “It’s particularly beneficial in areas where accessing a GP is difficult. Patients can have consultations through the pharmacy, leveraging the expertise of both the pharmacist and the GP.”

This collaboration between pharmacy clinics and telemedicine services like RecoMed is reshaping healthcare delivery in South Africa. Pharmacies, with their wide footprint, long service hours, and dedicated healthcare professionals, can oversee everything from physical tests to wellness consultations.

Telemedicine bridges the gap, offering a seamless connection to GPs for more complex cases, while pharmacies remain the heart of healthcare for everyday needs.

The expanding role of pharmacy clinics

Pharmacy clinics offer an expanding range of services that can significantly improve healthcare accessibility. From family planning and immunisations to chronic disease management and wellness checkups, these clinics are becoming vital touch-points for community healthcare.

They can also facilitate the registration and use of NHI services, once implemented, helping to further ease the burden on the public healthcare system.

“Women can access contraception easily, elderly patients can undergo essential checkups without lengthy travel, and patients of all ages can visit pharmacy clinics for anything from wellness consultations to treatment for minor ailments,” Bayat notes. “With over 2,000 independent pharmacies across South Africa, these clinics are well-positioned to save and transform lives.”

Sheraan Amod from RecoMed agrees, highlighting that the future of healthcare lies in the collaboration between patients, practitioners, and pharmacy clinics.

“The future of patient-centric care is built on partnerships. Pharmacy clinics can serve as accessible, affordable entry points for healthcare, while platforms like RecoMed make it easier for patients to find and book these services. Together, they offer a comprehensive healthcare solution for communities across South Africa.”

A vision for the future

As South Africa’s healthcare system continues to evolve, pharmacy clinics will play an increasingly important role. They are uniquely positioned to provide accessible care, reduce costs, and offer a wide range of services, all while helping to manage the strain on the country’s medical professionals.

With innovations like telemedicine and platforms like RecoMed, pharmacies are becoming central hubs for patient-centered, efficient, and comprehensive healthcare.

“Pharmacies are poised to transform healthcare in South Africa,” Bayat concludes. “With the right partnerships and technologies in place, they will become even more integral to the country’s health system, ensuring care is accessible, affordable, and effective for everyone.”