PHARMACIST
BPharm PCDT
The Link between patients and medical practitioners
Meet Medicine Mom
Retha Kruger
I grew up on a farm in the Freestate and could lie down and stare at the clouds for hours – that is how my dreams began.
It was very early in my life that I realised I had a dream that I wanted to fulfil.
After receiving my bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from the University of Potchefstroom I completed a postgraduate diploma in Primary Care Drug Therapy(PCDT). While working as a pharmacist in private hospitals, I realised how powerful medication can be and I developed a greater insight into the pharmaceutical industry.
I realised at that time the importance of patient education and the link between patients and medical practitioners. Often patients are unaware of why certain medications should be taken, what their effect is, how to take them and how they work. Because of this uncertainty patients often start to Google their questions.
In most cases, this causes patients to stop taking their medication and over or underuse it.
As a health educator, I equip people with the knowledge they require to manage their health and their family's health. In addition, I support open communication channels between patients and medical practitioners, whether it is a paediatrician, psychologist, occupational therapist, or psychiatrist.
Knowledge is power.
"The right medicine and the right therapy can change the world."
Dr. David Agus
Professional
Biography
Retha Kruger received her Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from the University of Potchefstroom and completed her postgraduate diploma in Primary Care Drug Therapy (PCDT). She has worked for over 30 years as a pharmacist in Private Healthcare Hospitals in the Western Cape. Besides practising as a pharmacist, she also educated patients, made diagnoses, and prescribed medications.
The passion she has for her patients stems from her special interest in patient education. In addition to her work at a Primary Healthcare Clinic in the Winelands, Retha is also a medical adviser at a family practice in the Northern Suburbs.
Retha loves spending time with her husband and teenage daughter and son. Her other loves include travel, wine and flowers.
PCDT Pharmacist:
What is it?
PCDT pharmacists are pharmacists who have completed additional training in therapeutics, which is how drugs work in the body and how they can be used to treat various medical conditions. Using medications effectively is one of their advanced skills and knowledge.
Act 101 of 1965, allows pharmacists to dispense Schedule 1 and 2 medicines without a prescription. With additional education and training for two years, PCDT pharmacists can perform appropriate physical examinations en prescribe medications based on PCDT medication lists.
Some of the tasks that a PCDT pharmacist may perform include:
- Comprehensive patient history taking.
- Appropriate physical examination.
- Conducting and interpreting applicable screening tests (e.g., cholesterol, blood glucose etc.).
- Plan safe and appropriate interventions and/or prescribing of medicines for the management of potential or existing health needs listed on the PCDT medicine list.
- Adjustment of medicine therapy which has been prescribed previously by a PCDT pharmacist.
- Management of chronic conditions (e.g., hypertension, epilepsy and diabetes) which have been diagnosed by a medical practitioner and medicine dose adjustments for these conditions in cases where a medical practitioner initiated treatment.
- Monitoring of the outcomes of therapy; and
- Referral to another health care provider where necessary.
Contact Me
Phone Number
+27 72 235 5128
Email Address
Physical Address
Protea Family Practice
4 Hewitt Street
Durbanville
Cape Town
