Dispensing License - what you need to know

Private Practice Dispensing Licence
1

If any medical professional wishes to dispense medication instead of merely prescribing it, they are required to have a dispensing license. This applies to both the private and the public sector. To apply for such a license, you must first complete a dispensing course with an accredited institution (see below). Not every doctor needs to get a license to dispense, however.

1. Who needs a dispensing license?

Dispensing Practice

Many GP practices decide to dispense medication from their practice. Reasons might include distance to the nearest pharmacy, patient profile, etc. The doctors working at such a practice would need to get a license for the practice and will only be able to dispense from that specific address. Any change in dispensing address will need to be applied for again.

Locums

If you mostly work as a locum doctor, it is also advisable to get a license to dispense. This will enable you to work at dispensing practices as a locum. You can make the decision based on the profile of practices in the areas where you primarily want to locum.

Since you will likely be working at different practices, you will need to apply for a specific locum DL. This will allow you to dispense at a practice where you are merely standing in, as long as the doctor you are standing in for has his/her license on display at the practice.

2. How to get a dispensing license

Before you can apply for your license, you must first complete a dispensing course. The course can be done through providers like:

Alternatively, click here to look for another approved provider of the course.

Once you have completed the dispensing course, you can apply for the license. Below are the license application guidelines and forms.

If you need more information, you can email dispensepps@health.gov.za with your queries.

:left_speech_bubble:Please contribute to this conversation by replying to this topic.

1 Like
2

The application form asks for the address of the dispensing practice and has an entire section of questions regarding the particulars of the premises -

  • If one is working as a locum, and therefore possibly at a few different dispensing practices on different premises, how does one go about completing the application form?
3

Hi @LaraduP

My understanding is that you must apply for a specific “locum dispensing license” if you are working as a dispensing locum. This license is restricted to the province you apply for, so I assume you should write down the province where you wish to locum.

It will only be valid if you dispense from a practice with their own dispensing license as well, though.

I haven’t found any other forms or requirements, and everyone else seems to also have applied using the general application form.
Otherwise maybe email them and ask if they have a specific form they require to be submitted?