Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA)

The Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA) is the professional body representing pharmacists across the country, and describes itself as the guardian of the pharmacy profession. PSSA is based in Lynnwood, Pretoria, and supports pharmacy in improving medicine use and advancing patient care.

Registered name

Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA)

Type

Professional association (pharmacy)

Fields funded

BPharm from second year, and postgraduate pharmacy study

Website

pssa.org.za

From a Dutch apothecary to a national society

PSSA traces pharmacy in South Africa to Joachim Blanck, a member of the Guild of Apothecaries in Amsterdam who settled at the Cape in 1653. Only in the early 19th century was the pharmacist’s role defined, allowing chemists and druggists to organise separately from other medical professions.

On 13 June 1885, seven pharmacists met in King William’s Town to form the South African Pharmaceutical Association, the first voluntary pharmaceutical society. Provincial societies followed, and their amalgamation created the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa, inaugurated on 1 January 1946 as the first unified professional society for pharmacy in the country.

What PSSA does for pharmacists

PSSA negotiates on behalf of practitioners, comments on health legislation, promotes pharmacy to other health professionals and the public, and provides continuing professional development, webinars, the South African Pharmaceutical Journal and professional indemnity insurance. PSSA’s objectives include encouraging professional integrity and promoting the representation of all sectors of South African society in its membership.

The Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education

PSSA channels bursaries through its Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education (FPE). The FPE funds undergraduate pharmacy study at recognised South African institutions from the second year onwards, and postgraduate study in pharmacy-related subjects. Awards run for one academic year at a time, so bursars reapply annually, and the FPE weighs financial need, academic performance and other funding already received. Publicly available information does not describe a work-back obligation, according to a provider record checked in August 2026.

Timing

The undergraduate bursary application for 2027 is open and closes on 5 October 2026. The postgraduate application for 2026 has closed, and PSSA says the next postgraduate form will be available in May.

How to research PSSA

BPharm students should join PSSA as student members, which BursariesAfrica’s older guide describes as free, and check whether membership is required for the bursary. Ask your pharmacy school’s student association about PSSA branch events, where you can meet practising pharmacists.

See our pharmacy bursaries list.