Janine Jugathpal, graduated with her BPharm (2002) and PharmD (2012) from Rhodes University in Grahamstown. Her clinical pharmacy training was based at Cecelia Makiwane and Frere Hospitals in the Eastern Cape Province. Whilst working as a clinical pharmacist in East London, Janine served as member of the Primary Healthcare and Adult Hospital Level Expert Review Committees, subcommittees of the South African National Essential Medicines Committee (NEMLC), which develops the national Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List. In 2013, she was appointed a pharmaceutical policy specialist: rational medicine use in the Affordable Medicines Directorate of the National Department of Health. In February 2015, she was appointed deputy director of the Essential Drugs Programme and still holds that position. Janine is also involved with the work related to establishing a formal, coordinated HTA process within the NHI Branch.