OTo: The Head of Department

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: PETITION FOR THE OPENING OF PHARMACIST INTERNSHIP POSTS FOR 2026

We, the undersigned pharmacy graduates and final-year pharmacy students, respectfully submit this petition to formally request that the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health urgently open and fund sufficient pharmacist internship posts for the 2026 intake.

Pharmacist internship is a statutory requirement for registration as a pharmacist with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC). The continued shortage or absence of funded internship posts places pharmacy graduates in an untenable position, preventing professional registration, contributing to unemployment, and undermining the healthcare system’s ability to deliver essential pharmaceutical services.

KwaZulu-Natal faces a high burden of disease and an ongoing need for pharmaceutical care across public healthcare facilities. The failure to provide adequate internship posts contradicts national human resource for health objectives and compromises service delivery, patient safety, and workforce sustainability. This petition is to request that between 100 -150 posts are to be released based on the demand on health care in the KZN province

We therefore formally request the following:

Confirmation that pharmacist internship posts for 2026 will be opened in KwaZulu-Natal.

Transparency regarding the number of posts to be made available.

A clear timeline for the advertisement and placement process.

Given the urgency of this matter and its direct impact on graduates’ livelihoods and public healthcare delivery, we respectfully request a written response by the 15 of January 2026

Should no response or satisfactory resolution be provided by this date, we regret to inform you that we will be left with no alternative but to lawfully escalate this matter, including engaging in peaceful protest action, to ensure that our concerns are heard and addressed.

We remain committed to constructive engagement and hope the Department will act decisively in the best interests of both pharmacy graduates and the people of KwaZulu-Natal.

We thank you for your attention to this urgent matter and look forward to your response.

Yours faithfully,

Concerned Pharmacy Graduates and Final-Year Pharmacy Student iss

KwaZulu-Natal

SIGNATURES IN SUPPORT OF THIS PETITION

Consent Statement

By signing below, I confirm that I am a pharmacy graduate or final-year pharmacy student and that I support the contents of this petition. I consent to my name and relevant details being included for the purpose of submitting this petition to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health and related authorities. I understand that my information will be used solely in support of this petition and not for any other purpose.