25-26 March 2026 - Sandton Convention Centre
Join this landmark conference programme in celebration of the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa’s 80th anniversary - a milestone that honours eight decades of leadership, advocacy, and professional excellence in pharmacy.
Under the theme “Uniting Healthcare Professionals”, this two-day executive programme places pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry at the heart of South Africa’s evolving healthcare system. It brings together pharmaceutical manufacturers, regulators, supply chain leaders, pharmacists, policymakers, innovators, and healthcare executives to engage in strategic dialogue on the future of healthcare delivery.
CPD: 12 CLINICAL
WHEN: 25-26 March 2026
WHERE: Expo 1 Conference Area (located at the back of the hall)
Join the PSSA Symposium for a special anniversary celebration, featuring insights, networking and recognition of eight decades of pharmacy excellence.
| TIME | TOPIC | THEME | SPEAKER |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00 – 09:10 | PLENARY SESSION 1 Artificial Intelligence and Innovation in Pharmacy AI in Pharmacy: Disruption or Opportunity? | From Dispensing to Decision Support – Smart Pharmacies of the Future Global and local case studies including AI dispensing robots, prescription verification, predictive stock management, and adherence monitoring. | Session overview and introduction: PSSA Executive Director – Ms Refiloe Mogale |
| 09:10 – 09:40 | Public Sector Perspectives | • AI-powered inventory and stock prediction to address medicine shortages • Automated prescription verification and pharmacovigilance • Chatbots and AI assistants to support high-volume public facilities | Ms. Leoni Deysel and Mr. Bandela Mgoqi |
| 09:40 – 10:10 | Private Sector & Industry Perspectives | • Data analytics for consumer behaviour and medicine-use trends • AI-driven marketing, loyalty management, and customer relationship management (CRM) tools • Workflow automation, smart storage, and digital patient follow-up systems | Ms. Ayanda Msimang |
| 10:10 – 10:45 | Interactive Demonstration | Live demonstration of an AI-enabled dispensing, inventory, or chatbot solution: Steve Biko Academic Hospital / Kalafong Hospital) Interactive Q&A Key Takeaways & Closing | |
| 10:45 – 11:00 | Interactive Demonstration | Live demonstration of an AI-enabled dispensing, inventory, or chatbot solution: Steve Biko Academic Hospital / Kalafong Hospital) | |
| Interactive Q&A | |||
| Key Takeaways & Closing | |||
| 11:00 – 13:30 | PSSA’s 80th birthday celebration and lunch | ||
| 13:30 – 13:35 | SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS (SAACP) SESSION The Future Pharmacist’s Toolkit: Integrating Digital Health, Expanded Clinical Scopes and Rational Medicine Use, for Patient Safety. | Session overview and introduction: Mr. Johannes Ravele SAACP Immediate Past President & Mr Jameel Kariem SAACP President | |
| 13:35 – 13:50 | Presentation 1: Expanding the Community Pharmacist’s Scope: New Clinical Roles for a Modern Health System. | Mr. Frans Landman | |
| 13:50 – 14:05 | Presentation 2: Practical Digital Tools for Tomorrow’s Pharmacy. | Mr. Brent Sin Hidge | |
| 14:05 – 14:20 | Presentation 3: Safeguarding the Future of Pharmacy: Evidence-Based Practice, Ethics and Medication Safety. | Ms. Lorraine Thom | |
| 14:20 – 14:35 | Panel discussion | ||
| Interactive Q&A | |||
| Key Takeaways & Closing | |||
| 14:35 – 14:40 | ACADEMY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES OF SOUTH AFRICA (APSSA) SESSION | Session overview and introduction: Chairperson, PSSA APSSA Chairperson – Ms. Lorraine Thom | |
| 14:40 – 15:00 | Presentation 1: Training for What Future? Ethical Reflections on Pharmacy Education, Workforce Realities, and Professional Purpose | Dr. Teri-Lynne Fogarty | |
| 15:00 – 15:15 | Presentation 2: Who Evaluates the Educators? Strengthening Pharmacy Education through Educational Expertise and Academic Development | Dr. Ané Orchard | |
| 15:15 – 15:35 | Interactive Q&A | ||
| Key Takeaways & Closing |
| TIME | TOPIC | THEME | SPEAKER |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00 – 11:10 | Opening & Welcome | Formal welcome and programme overview | Master of Ceremony -Mr. Kesentseng Jackson Mahlaba |
| 11:10 – 11:15 | Opening Reflection: 80 Years of Pharmacy Leadership in South Africa | Multimedia presentation highlighting PSSA’s history, milestones, and impact | FIP President – Video message |
| 11:15 – 11:25 | Keynote Address | Honouring the Past, Strengthening the Present, Shaping the Future of Pharmacy | President of the PSSA – Prof. Renier Coetzee |
| 11:25 – 11:45 | Stakeholder Messages and reflection (In person or Videos) | National Department of Health – Message from the Minister of Health Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi (pre-recorded video) South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) – Ms. Tammy Gopal South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) President – Mr. Mogologolo Phasha Independent Community Pharmacy Association (ICPA) Chairman – Mr. Mehboob Ali Cassim | |
| 11:45 – 12:10 | PSSA Sectors Messages Reflections | Short reflections representing the diversity of pharmacy practice: APSSA – Ms. Lorraine Thom SAACP – Mr. Jameel Kariem SAAHIP – Dr. Seshnee Moodley SAAPI – Ms. Ingrid Duvenhage YPG – Mr. Kevin Baloyi | |
| 12:10 – 12:25 | PSSA Presidential Reflections: Leadership Across Generations | Reflection by Past PSSA Presidents: Dr. Johan Kruger, Prof. Sarel Malan and Mr. Tshifhiwa Rabali (In-person) Mr. Joggie Hattingh (Pre-recorded video messages) | |
| 12:25 – 12:35 | Artistic Reflection | Poetry performance reflecting on service, professionalism, and the future of healthcare | |
| 13:30 | Formal Closing |
| TIME | TOPIC | THEME | SPEAKER |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00 – 19:15 | PLENARY SESSION 2 National Health Insurance (NHI): Pharmacy at the Heart of Universal Health Coverage | Dr. Sham Moodley | |
| 09:15 – 10:15 | Opening Presentation: NHI milestones, current progress, and implications for pharmacy services The supply of medicines, selection, pricing, procurement or reimbursement, and contracting of public and private pharmacies Interactive Panel Discussion: Department of Health (Policy perspective) Health Economist – Sustainability and cost-effectiveness Speaker: Prof. Nicholas Crisp – NDoH Private Sector Pharmacist – Implementation readiness Speaker: Mr. Jameel Kariem SAACP Public Sector – System alignment Speaker: Mr. Nhlanhla Mafarafara – SAAHIP Office of Health Standards Compliance – System readiness Speaker: Dr. Rashokeng (TBC) | ||
| 10:15 – 11:00 | Interactive Q&A Key Takeaways & Closing | ||
| 11:00 – 11:05 | S.A. ASSOCIATION OF HOSPITAL AND INSTITUTIONAL PHARMACISTS S.A. VERENIGING VAN HOSPITAAL EN INRIGTINGS APTEKERS (SAAHIP) SESSION Uniting Health Care Professionals: Excellence and Innovation in Hospital Pharmacy Uniting Health Care Professionals: Excellence and Innovation in Hospital Pharmacy | ||
| 11:05 – 11:20 | Session overview and introduction | Chairperson, PSSA SAAHIP North Gauteng – Mr. Kesentseng Jackson Mahlaba | |
| 11:20 – 11:35 | Presentation 1: From Dispensing to Decision-Making: The Evolving Role of Hospital Pharmacists in Clinical Care | Dr Seshnee Moodley – PSSA SAAHIP President | |
| 11:35 – 11:50 | Presentation 2: Building Stewardship Culture: Successes from Antimicrobial Stewardship Teams in Public Sector Hospitals | Ms Lebogang Molepo – Clinical Pharmacist Pietersburg Hospital | |
| 11:50 – 12:05 | Presentation 3: Collaborative Pharmacy Practice: Driving Better Patient Outcomes through Interdisciplinary Models | Ms. Tarina Bester (TBC) | |
| 12:05 – 12:20 | Presentation 4: Leading Change from Within: Pharmacists as Innovators in Resource-Constrained Hospital Settings | Mr. Bandela Mgoqi | |
| 12:20 – 12:40 | Panel discussion Interactive Q&A Key Takeaways & Closing | ||
| 12:40 – 13:30 | LUNCH | ||
| 13:30 – 13:35 | SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF PHARMACISTS IN INDUSTRY (SAAPI) SESSION Industry matters | Session overview and introduction: Ms. Yolanda Peens | |
| 13:35 – 13:50 | Presentation 1: Industry feedback regarding workshops, conferences etc. | Ms. Yolanda Peens | |
| 13:50 – 14:05 | Presentation 2: Role of the Pharmacist in Industry | Ms. Marlene Moonsamy | |
| 14:05 – 14:20 | Presentation 3: Pharmacovigilance & ADR/Event Reporting | Speaker: Mr. Simo Tafana – SAHPRA | |
| 14:20 – 14:40 | Interactive Q&A Key Takeaways & Closing | ||
| 14:40 – 14:45 | YOUNG PHARMACISTS’ GROUP (YPG) SESSION Collaborate to Innovate – Empowering Young Pharmacists to Lead, Unite, and Transform Healthcare Session Overview | PSSA YPG Steering Committee Chairperson – Mr. Kevin Baloyi | |
| 14:45 – 15:15 | Presentation 1: From Mentee to Mentor: Building the Next Generation of Pharmacy Leaders | Ms. Telicia Jobraj – PSSA YPG Mentorship Programme Coordinator | |
| 15:15 – 15:30 | Presentation 2: Digital Health Promotion: Reimagining the Pharmacist’s Role | Mr. Stanley Morapedi – PSSA YPG Public Relations Officer | |
| 15:30 – 15:45 | Presentation 3: Bridging Generations: Building a Profession that Supports Young Pharmacists | Ms. Aisha Adam | |
| 15:45 – 16:00 | Interactive Q&A Key Takeaways & Closing |
