PIMART Online Course

Pharmacist Initiated Management of Antiretroviral Treatment (PIMART) online course

 

ABOUT THE COURSE
The aim of the Pharmacist Initiated Management of Antiretroviral Treatment (PIMART) 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.

COST
The cost of the full course is R4,500 incl VAT (R3,913.04 ex VAT) per applicant**

WHO SHOULD ENROL
Pharmacists 

REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN
Click here to complete the online registration form. 
Alternatively email pimart@sahivcs.org for further information.

LEARNING PROCESS
1. Complete the PIMART training course material: 
This includes 21 Modules with compulsory in-module multiple-choice questions (MCQ) assessments.
A 70% and above pass mark for each module quiz is required. 
You will have the opportunity to repeat these MCQs should the minimum mark not be obtained.

2. Complete the Final Exam in MCQ format:
This includes 30 MCQ questions
A 70% and above pass mark for the exam is required. 
There is a 120-minute time limit for exam completion.
You will have the opportunity to re-take the exam a maximum of 3 times should the minimum mark not be obtained. Thereafter the re-completion of all training course material modules is required.

3. Work through the Case Studies:
This includes 24 case studies with compulsory in-module multiple-choice questions (MCQ) assessments.
A 70% and above pass mark for each module quiz is required. 
You will have the opportunity to repeat these MCQs should the minimum mark not be obtained.

4. Attend ongoing accredited CPD masterclasses and webinars to maintain professional development.


COURSE MODULES

1 Introduction to PIMART
2 Epidemiology of HIV
3 Testing and Diagnosis
4 CD4 cells and viral load
5 Staging of HIV infection
6 Counselling
7 PEP
8 PrEP
9 ART
10 Supporting adherence
11 Drug resistance
12 Drug Interactions
13 Opportunistic infections
14 HIV & Comorbidities
15 STIs
16 Safer conception
17 Contraception
18 PMTCT
19 TB/HIV co-infection
20 Referral and retention in care
21 Data Management


STEPS TO BECOMING A PERMIT-READY PHARMACIST

  • Complete the above listed learning process
  • Apply for Section 22(A) 15 Permit* from the NDoH with 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 National Department of Health had paused the issuing of these section 22(A) 15 permits for pharmacists, while considering grievances of a number of general practitioners. 

**2023 pricing. Course pricing is subject to change each year.

***CPD accreditation for this course only applies to healthcare professionals registered under the Health Professions Act.