Rural Pharmacist Walks Away with National Excellence Award

Western Cape Government Health is delighted to announce that Mr Sampie van Staden, Chief Pharmacist for the Robertson area (Langeberg sub-district), was awarded the National Pharmacy Excellence Award.

Mr van Staden, who is based at Robertson District Hospital, was awarded this prize for his ongoing establishment of alternative dispensing sites within the community. This initiative allows for patients who are on chronic medication to collect their medication from venues closer to their homes. The service has proven an effective means of addressing service delivery issues such as waiting times and overcrowding of clinics.

The award is an annual event hosted by the pharmaceutical society in to award both public and private practicing pharmacists. The department is very proud that five of the six winners are employed by Western Cape Government Health to further brighten the accolade; all the winners are from the Western Cape.