Pharmacist Initiated Management of Antiretroviral Treatment (PIMART) online course

ABOUT THE COURSE
The aim of the Pharmacist Initiated Management of Antiretroviral Treatment (PIMART) supplementary training is to build capacity of pharmacists to provide safe HIV prevention and care to clients in the pharmacy setting, and to increase access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and referral services to hard- to-reach and underserved individuals who are unable or unwilling to access care offered by current conventional systems, such as primary care facilities or practitioners.

The PIMART course provides learners with up-to-date HIV prevention knowledge which, subject to the receipt of a section 22A (15) permit from the NDoH, enables them to prescribe and provide Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). The training will also enable the prescribing and provision of first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) to uncomplicated clients living with HIV providing they meet the safety criteria for pharmacy-based care or, if not, guidance on referral to an appropriate facility or practitioner. 

PIMART is a comprehensive training programme comprising course modules with in-module assessments, a final exam and case-based scenarios and quizzes. Course developers and contributors include South Africa's leading HIV prevention and management expert clinicians and organisations.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION
The PIMART supplementary training will be launched soon. 
 
If you would like to register your interest for the PIMART training so that we can notify you as soon as enrolments open, please complete the online form – click here.

STEPS TO BECOMING A PIMART PHARMACIST

• Complete the PIMART supplementary training process
• Apply for Section 22(A) 15 Permit from the NDoH with your training certificate of completion, and Portfolio of Evidence (POE) of at least 10 client consultations and doctor supervised PIMART prescriptions. Refer to the Board Notice 101 of 2021 published in Government Gazette No. 44981 dated 13 August 2021 for further information - view here.    
• Attend ongoing accredited CPD masterclasses and webinars through SAHCS to maintain professional development

NOTES
The SAPC’s 13 August 2026 memo advised that pharmacists who had already completed the SAHCS previous PIMART continuing medical education (CPD) course can now begin to apply for limited-scope temporary PIMART permits to provide PEP, PrEP, and HIV testing services – but not yet HIV treatment services. The temporary permits will be valid for 24 months.
View the SAPC memo - click here.