Pharmacy Act, 2004

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Jurisdiction

Namibia

Citation

Act 9 of 2004

Date

Language

English

Type

Legislation

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Pharmacy Act, 2004

Act 9 of 2004

Published in Government Gazette no. 3250 on 29 July 2004
Assented to on 13 July 2004
Commenced on 1 October 2004 by Government Notice of 2004
[This is the version of this document from 6 September 2018 and includes any amendments published up to 6 October 2022.]

[Amended by Pharmacy Amendment Act, 2018 (Act 11 of 2018) on 6 September 2018]

ACTTo provide for the establishment and constitution of a professional Council for the pharmacy profession; to determine the powers, duties and functions of such Council; to regulate the registration of pharmacists and persons practising professions allied to the pharmacy profession; to specify the education and training and qualifications of persons practising such professions; to prohibit the practising of any such profession without being registered; and to provide for matters incidental thereto.

PREAMBLERecognising that the standards of professional practice and conduct of pharmacists and persons practising professions allied to the pharmacy profession in Namibia must be improved continuously;Recognising that the evolving Namibian pharmaceutical care sector requires strong stewardship on behalf of the people of Namibia;Recognising that this stewardship function includes both the formulation of rules to govern the professional practice and conduct of practitioners in that sector and to ensure compliance therewith;Whereas that responsibility may be entrusted to a body led by the relevant profession in close partnership with the public and the State, with the understanding that it forms a distinct part of a wider statutory framework aimed at the protection and promotion of the health and welfare of the Namibian people;And whereas that responsibility must be executed in an accountable fashion that effectively protects the public interest,BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED by the Parliament of the Republic of Namibia, as follows:-

Part I – INTERPRETATION

1. Definitions

In this Act, unless the context otherwise indicates -“annual fee” means the annual fee determined by the Council in terms of section 28(1)(b);“appeal committee” means the appeal committee established by the Council in terms of section 12(3)(a);“certificate of status” means a certificate setting out the information referred to in section 30(2);“continuing professional development” means the continuing professional development contemplated in section 32;“commencement date” means the date of commencement of this Act;“committee” means a committee established in terms of section 12;“community pharmacy” means a pharmacy where business is conducted with, and medicines supplied to, the public, and “community pharmacist” has a corresponding meaning;“Council” means the Pharmacy Council of Namibia established by section 3;“dentist” means a person registered as such in terms of the Medical and Dental Act, 2004;“educational institution” means any university, college, technical college, technikon, training facility, or other similar or related institution where a qualification can be obtained which complies with the requirements of a prescribed qualification contemplated in section 18;“education committee” means the education committee established in terms of section 12(4)(a);“executive committee” means the executive committee established in terms of section 12(1)(a);“fees”, in relation to an application, means the fees relating to the application concerned determined by the Council in terms of section 28(1)(a), and “application fees” has a corresponding meaning;“former Pharmacy Board” means the Pharmacy Board established by section 2 of the Pharmacy Professions Act, 1993 (Act No. 23 of 1993), and in existence immediately before the commencement date, and “former Board” has a corresponding meaning;“inquiry” means a professional conduct inquiry in terms of PART VI;“Interim Council” means the Interim Council established in terms of section 70;“in writing”, relating to any notice to be given, includes a notice, a record, the agenda or the minutes of a meeting, or an extract therefrom, sent, delivered or dispatched to the intended recipient by hand, by registered post or by means of facsimile or e-mail, or in any prescribed manner, addressed to the applicable address furnished in writing by that intended recipient, or which has been entered into the register in which the name of the registered person concerned appears;“legal practitioner” means a legal practitioner as defined in section 1 of the Legal Practitioners Act, 1995 (Act No. 15 of 1995);“medical practitioner” means a person registered as such in terms of the Medical and Dental Act, 2004;“medicine” means a medicine as defined in section 1 of the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act, 2003 (Act No. 13 of 2003);“member of the Council” means a member of the Council appointed in terms of section 7;[definition of "member of the council " substituted by section 1 of Act 11 of 2018]“Minister” means the Minister responsible for Health;“Ministry” means the Ministry responsible for Health;“other examining authority” means an examining authority recognised by the Minister in terms of section 18(4);“Permanent Secretary” means the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry responsible for Health;“pharmaceutical care” means the assessment and determination of the medicinal needs of a person and the provision of the medicine required by that person and of the necessary services and relevant information before, during and after the treatment concerned, in order to assure the optimally safe and effective treatment of such person to improve that person’s quality of life, and includes a feedback mechanism to facilitate the continuity of such care by the person who provides it;“pharmaceutical technician” means a person registered as such in terms of this Act, or regarded to be so registered in terms of section 71;“pharmacist” means a person registered as such in terms of this Act, or regarded to be so registered in terms of section 71;“pharmacist intern” means a person registered as such in terms of this Act, or regarded to be so registered in terms of section 71;“pharmacist’s assistant” means any person registered as such in terms of this Act, or regarded to be so registered in terms of section 71;“pharmacy” means any place in which any act specifically pertaining to the profession of a pharmacist is performed;“pharmacy business” means the business conducted by a pharmacist in terms of this Act, and “business of a pharmacist” has a corresponding meaning;“practise”, in relation to a profession to which this Act applies, includes the taking up of employment where any act specially pertaining to such profession is performed;“preliminary investigation committee” means the preliminary investigation committee established in terms of section 12(5)(a);“prescribe” -(a)in relation to medicine, means the prescription of a medicine by a person lawfully authorised to prescribe such medicine for consumption by a person, and “prescribed medicine” or “prescription” has a corresponding meaning; and(b)if not used in relation to medicine, means prescribed by regulation;“president” means the president of the Council elected in terms of section 10;“profession” means any of the professions referred to in section 17(1);“professional conduct committee” means the professional conduct committee established by the Council in terms of section 12(2)(a);“professional conduct inquiry” means an inquiry in terms of PART VI;“public holiday” means a public holiday referred to in, or declared under, section 1 of the Public Holidays Act, 1990 (Act No. 26 of 1990);“qualification” means any degree, diploma or certificate conferred upon a person after having been examined in respect of that person’s proficiency in a particular field of study;“register” -(a)when used as a verb, means to register in terms of any of the applicable sections of this Act, and “registration” has a corresponding meaning; and(b)when used as a noun, means a register referred to in section 25;“registered person”, in relation to any profession to which this Act applies, means a person who is registered in terms of section 22 in respect of such profession, or who is regarded to be so registered in terms of section 71;“registrar” means the person appointed in terms of section 14(1) as the registrar of the Council and of the Councils established by law for the social work and psychology professions, the medical and dental professions, the nursing profession and the allied health professions, or the staff member referred to in section 71(7) acting as the registrar;“registration certificate” means a registration certificate issued in terms of the applicable section of this Act;“regulation” means any regulation made or in force in terms of this Act;“repealed Act” means the repealed Pharmacy Profession Act, 1993 (Act No. 23 of 1993);“rule” means any rule made by the Council in terms of section 67;“scheduled substance” means any medicine or other substance included in any Schedule to the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act, 2003 (Act No. 13 of 2003);“staff member” means a staff member as defined in section 1(1) of the Public Service Act, 1995 (Act No. 13 of 1995);“student” means any person registered as such in terms of this Act, or regarded to be so registered in terms of section 71;“this Act” includes the regulations and the rules;“unprofessional conduct” means improper or dishonourable or unworthy conduct, or conduct which, when regard is had to the profession of the person who is registered in terms of this Act, is improper or disgraceful or dishonourable or unworthy, and includes acts and omissions specified in terms of section 45;“unregistered person”, in relation to any profession to which this Act applies, means a person who is not registered in terms of section 22 in respect of such profession, or who is not regarded to be so registered in terms of section 71, and “a person not registered” has a corresponding meaning;“veterinarian” means a veterinarian as defined in section 1(xii) of the South West African Veterinary Council Proclamation, 1984 (Proclamation No. AG. 14 of 1984); and“vice-president” means the vice-president of the Council elected in terms of section 10.

2. Application of Act

This Act applies to the professions mentioned in sections 17(1).

Part II – ESTABLISHMENT, OBJECTS, FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE PHARMACY COUNCIL OF NAMIBIA

3. Establishment of Pharmacy Council of Namibia

(1)There is established a Council to be known as the Pharmacy Council of Namibia.

(2)The Council is a juristic person which is capable, in its own name, of suing and of being sued and, subject to the provisions of this Act, of performing all such acts as a juristic person may perform lawfully.

4. Succession from former Board to Council

(1)The Council is for all purposes the successor to the former Pharmacy Board.

(2)All assets, rights, obligations and liabilities which immediately before the commencement date vested in, or had been incurred by, the former Board referred to in subsection (1), pass to the Council on that date.

(3)A certificate issued by the registrar under his or her signature in which it is stated that any immovable property or mortgage bond or servitude or other real right or lease, or any other asset or right or liability, described or referred to in such certificate, has passed from the former Board to the Council in terms of subsection (2), will be sufficient proof that the asset, right or liability so described or referred to in such certificate vests in the Council.

(4)Upon the submission of a certificate referred to in subsection (3) and of the relevant title deeds, certificates or other documents to the Registrar of Deeds appointed in terms of section 2 of the Deeds Registry Act, 1937 (Act No. 47 of 1937), or to any other person in charge of any other office where a register or record relating to the ownership of, or entitlement to, an asset or right or liability described in such certificate is being kept, that Registrar or that other person, as the case may be, must make such entries or endorsements into or onto, or in or on, any relevant register, title deed, certificate or other document in his or her office, or submitted to him or her, as may be necessary to effect the transfer contemplated in that subsection into the name of the Council.[The Deeds Registries Act 47 of 1937 has been replaced by the Deeds Registries Act 14 of 2015.]

(5)Notwithstanding any other law, no stamp duties, transfer duty, value added tax, or any other duty, tax or levy, or any registration fees, payable in terms of any law relating to the acquisition or transfer of assets or rights or liabilities, will be payable in respect of any entry or endorsement made in terms of subsection (4), or the transfer of any asset, right or liability in terms of or pursuant to subsection (2).

(6)Upon the submission of a certificate referred to in subsection (3) to the banking institution or other institution or establishment at which the former Board referred to in subsection (1) conducted or operated any banking account or savings account, or held any investment or other asset, such banking institution or other institution or establishment must transfer such banking account or savings account or investment or asset, as the case may be, into the name of the Council.

(7)Any proceeding or cause of action pending or existing immediately before the commencement date, which had been commenced by or against the former Board, may be continued or enforced by or against the Council as if the repealed Act had not been repealed.

5. Objects of Council

The objects of the Council are -

(a)subject to the laws relating to the medical profession, the dental profession, the nursing profession and the allied health professions, to control and exercise authority in respect of all matters affecting -

(i)the education and training of persons in or relating to pharmaceutical care and practice;

(ii)the manner in which practices in connection with pharmaceutical service and care are to be exercised;

(b)in respect of the professions referred to in section 17(1) -

(i)to regulate the practising of such professions, and to ensure that all persons practising such professions are registered;

(ii)to regulate the manner in which practices in connection with the pharmaceutical care are exercised by any person practising any of such professions;

(iii)to encourage and promote efficiency in, and responsibility to, the practising of such professions, and to guide practitioners with regard to the respective codes of conduct and the ethical standards for or relating to their professions;

(iv)to promote the provision of pharmaceutical care and practice which complies with universal norms and values, in both the public sector and the private sector, with the goal of achieving definite therapeutic outcomes for the health and quality of life of a patient;

(v)to establish, develop and maintain universally acceptable standards of control over persons registered in terms of this Act by means of investigating in accordance with this Act, all complaints, accusations or allegations relating to the conduct of registered persons;

(vi)to promote liaison in the field of the education and training of persons relating to such professions, in Namibia and elsewhere;

(vii)give advice or render assistance to any educational institution or examining body with regard to the education, tuition and training of registered persons and prospective registered persons;

(viii)to register persons to practise such professions, or to remove the name of a registered person from a register;

(ix)to promote the continuing professional development of registered persons;

(x)to promote research in the fields of the professions to which this Act applies; and

(xi)to promote and control the standards of training of persons for the purpose of registration to practise any such profession;

(c)to assist in the promotion of the health of the population of Namibia;

(d)to be transparent relating to the pharmacy profession and to the general public in achieving its objects and in performing its functions and executing its powers;

(e)to maintain and enhance the dignity of the pharmacy profession and the integrity of the persons practising such profession;

(f)to deal firmly, fairly and promptly with a registered person against whom a charge, complaint or allegation of unprofessional conduct has been laid or whose fitness to practise is in doubt;

(g)to advise the Minister on any matter falling within the scope of this Act and relating to the professions to which this Act applies;

(h)to advise the Minister or any other person on any matter relating to the pharmacy profession; and

(i)to communicate to the Minister information on matters of public interest acquired by it in the course of the performance of its functions in terms of this Act.

6. Powers of Council

(1)In addition to the powers, duties and functions that the Council may exercise or perform in terms of this Act or of any other law, the Council may -

(a)buy, lease or otherwise acquire, or sell, let or otherwise dispose of, or hypothecate or pledge or otherwise deal with, any movable or immovable property of the Council or any right in or over or relating to such immovable property;

(b)take up, borrow, lend or invest money;

(c)open and operate on banking accounts and savings accounts;

(d)make or accept donations;

(e)enter into agreements with any person, body, institution or organisation on such terms and conditions as the Council and that person or such body, institution or organisation may agree upon;

(f)obtain information necessary to achieve its objects and perform its functions, including require any registered person in writing to submit to the Council such information as the Council may consider necessary;

(g)consider any matter affecting the professions to which this Act applies, or take such action in connection therewith as it may consider advisable;

(h)on application by any person, recognise any qualification held by that person in respect of the professions to which this Act applies (whether such qualification has been obtained in Namibia or elsewhere) as being equal to, either wholly or in part, to any qualification prescribed in terms of this Act;

(i)co-opt any person onto any of its committees;

(j)authorise a person to inspect, subject to section 61, the professional practice of a registered person and to report to the Council on his or her findings in respect of such inspection;

(k)charge the fees determined by it in respect of any inspection it may regard as necessary to enable it to consider an application for the approval of an educational institution, or for any amendment of a condition imposed on such institution; and

(l)do all such things as it may consider necessary or expedient in order to achieve the objects of this Act.

(2)Unless otherwise provided in this Act, the powers, duties and functions exercised or performed by the Council in terms of any provision of this Act, will be so exercised or performed by means of a decision made by the Council in accordance with section 11.

7. Composition of Council

(1)The Council consists of the following members appointed by the Minister -

(a)one person, nominated by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Namibia, who is a registered person involved in the tuition, education or training of persons to qualify, on the completion of the tuition, education or training, for registration in terms of this Act;

(b)a legal practitioner nominated by the Council of the Law Society referred to in section 45 of the Legal Practitioners Act, 1995 (Act No. 15 of 1995);

(c)as an ex officio member, the Registrar of Medicines appointed in terms of the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act, 2003 (Act No.13 of 2003);

(d)a person who is not a registered person; and

(e)four persons, who are registered as pharmacists, nominated by the associations, societies or unions representing the interests of their profession.

(2)Persons to be appointed as members of the Council in terms of subsection (1) must have the necessary knowledge and expertise relating to the functions of the Council.

(3)In appointing the members of the Council in terms of subsection (1) the Minister must ensure, in so far as is practicably possible, that the membership of the Council, achieves -

(a)gender representation; and

(b)regional representation.

(4)For the purpose of appointing the persons referred to in subsection (1)(a), (b) and (e), the Minister must in writing request the institutions referred to in that subsection to nominate within the period specified by the Minister the persons required to be nominated in terms of that subsection.

(5)If, in terms of subsection (4), no nominations are made the Minister may, having regard to the provisions of this section, appoint any suitable person to be a member of the Council and a person appointed under this subsection holds office as if he or she was nominated in accordance with that subsection.

(6)The Minister must, as soon as possible after the appointment of all members of the Council in terms of subsection (1), notify in the Gazette

(a)the name of every person appointed as a member of the Council;

(b)the period for which the appointment is made; and

(c)the date from which the appointment takes effect.

(7)Despite subsection (6), a failure to notify the names of members of the Council in terms of that subsection does not invalidate any action or decision taken by the Council.

(8)A member of the Council holds office for a period of five years and is eligible for re-appointment or re-nomination, as a member at the expiration of that period.

(9)The Minister may by notice in the Gazette extend the term of office of a member of the Council.

(10)Before assuming office, a member of the Council must subscribe to the following oath or solemn affirmation before the Minister -“I, ……………………………., do swear or solemnly affirm that, at all times during my term of office as a member of the Pharmacy Council of Namibia, I will be faithful to the Republic of Namibia and uphold its Constitution and laws, and exercise and perform my powers and functions and further the aims and objects of the Pharmacy Council to the best of my ability without fear, favour or prejudice. So, help me God / I solemnly affirm”.[section 7 substituted by section 2 of Act 11 of 2018]

8. Disqualification to be member of Council

A person does not qualify to be a member of the Council in terms of section 7, if that person -

(a)is not a Namibian citizen and ordinarily resident in Namibia;

(b)is disqualified in terms of this Act or of any other law from practising his or her profession;

(c)is an unrehabilitated insolvent;

(d)has been declared mentally ill by a competent court in terms of the Mental Health Act, 1973 (Act No. 18 of 1973);

(e)has been convicted of an offence in respect of which he or she was sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine, and in respect of which an appeal, if any, was not upheld;

(f)has been removed from an office of trust as a result of improper conduct; or

(g)has been found guilty, in terms of this Act, of unprofessional conduct.

9. Vacation of office by members of Council and filling of vacancies

(1)A member of the Council must vacate his or her office, if he or she -

(a)becomes subject to any disqualification mentioned or referred to in section 8;

(b)resigns from office by giving not less than one month’s written notice to the Council;

(c)has been absent from three consecutive meetings of the Council without the written leave of the Council or of the president, if the Council has authorised the president to grant such leave;

(d)ceases to be ordinarily resident in Namibia; or

(e)is removed from office in terms of subsection (2).

(2)The Minister may remove a member of the Council from office, if the Minister is reasonably satisfied, after having given that member an opportunity to be heard, that that member -

(a)is physically or mentally unfit or unable to effectively perform his or her duties as a member;

(b)has neglected his or her duties as a member; or

(c)has contrary to section 11(10)(a) divulged a matter which has been entrusted to that member.

(3)

(a)Any vacancy on the Council arising from any of the circumstances referred to in subsection (1) or (2), or caused by the death of any member, must be filled in the same manner in terms of section 7 as the person who has vacated his or her office or has died, as the case may be, had been appointed to such office.[paragraph (a) substituted by section 3 of Act 11 of 2018]

(b)If any member who is nominated in terms of section 7, has vacated his or her office or has died and the institution concerned, fails or refuses to nominate within a reasonable period of time a member to the Council as contemplated in paragraph (a), the Minister may appoint, at his or her discretion and in writing, any person as such a member.[paragraph (b) substituted by section 3 of Act 11 of 2018]

(c)Any appointment made in terms of paragraph (b) is regarded to have been properly made in terms of the relevant provisions of section 7.

(d)A person filling an office which had been vacated, as described in paragraph (a) or (b), must meet the relevant qualifications relating to members as set out in section 8.

(e)The term of office of a member of the Council contemplated in paragraph (a) or (b) is for the unexpired portion of the term of office of the member who has vacated his or her office or who has died, as the case may be.

10. President and vice-president of Council

(1)

(a)At the first meeting of every newly constituted Council held in terms of section 11(1)(a), the members of the Council must elect from their number the president and vice-president of the Council.

(b)For the purposes of paragraph (a) “newly constituted Council” means the Council constituted every five years in terms of section 7.

(2)The president and vice-president of the Council hold office as president and vice-president during their term of office as members of the Council, respectively, unless he or she resigns as president or vice-president, as the case may be, or ceases to be such a member.

(3)If for any reason the president of the Council is absent or unable to act as president, the vice-president of the Council may perform all the duties and functions and exercise all the powers of the president.

(4)If both the president and vice-president of the Council are temporarily absent for any reason, the president or vice-president, as the case may be, may appoint in writing another member of the executive committee referred to in section 12(1) to act in their stead during such absence.

(5)

(a)If both the president and vice-president of the Council are absent from any meeting of the Council, the members present at such meeting may elect one member from their number to preside at such meeting.

(b)The person elected in terms of paragraph (a) to preside at the meeting concerned may at such meeting perform all the functions and exercise all the powers of the president.

(6)

(a)If the office of president or of vice-president of the Council becomes vacant, the members of the Council must at the first meeting after which such vacancy occurred, elect from their number another president or vice-president of the Council, as the case may be.

(b)The president or vice-president elected in terms of paragraph (a) holds office for the unexpired portion of the term of office of his or her predecessor.

(7)

(a)Subject to paragraph (b), no person may hold the office of president or vice-president of the Council for more than two consecutive terms of office.

(b)A term of office referred to in paragraph (a) does not include a term of office referred to in subsection (6)(b).

(8)The president or vice-president of the Council may vacate his or her office as president or vice-president, as the case may be, without terminating his or her membership of the Council.

(9)If the offices of president and of vice-president are both vacant at the same time, the registrar must convene a meeting of the Council in accordance with section 11(1), with the necessary changes, for the purpose of electing a new president and vice-president in accordance with subsection (1)(a) of this section.

(10)Both the president and the vice-president of the Council must be registered persons.

11. Meetings and decisions of Council

(1)

(a)The registrar, or if the registrar is not available for any reason, a person appointed by the registrar in writing for such purpose, must convene the first meeting of every newly constituted Council.

(b)For the purposes of paragraph (a) “newly constituted Council” means the Council constituted every five years in terms of section 7.

(c)The registrar or the person appointed by the registrar in terms of paragraph (a), as the case may be, must -

(i)determine the date, time and venue for, and the agenda to be discussed at;

(ii)inform the members of the Council in such manner as he or she may consider appropriate, of the date, time and venue of;

(iii)act as chairperson at;

(iv)determine in writing the proceedings, including the proceedings relating to the election of the president and vice-president in terms of section 10(1)(a), to be followed at,

the meeting referred to in that paragraph, and must furnish, before the commencement of such meeting, every member of the Council with a copy of the agenda referred to in subparagraph (i).

(d)The president must -

(i)convene; and

(ii)determine the date, time and venue for, and the agenda to be discussed at,

all the meetings of the Council to be held subsequent to the first meeting referred to in paragraph (a).

(2)The president must convene a special meeting of the Council, to be held within a period of 30 days after the date of receipt of a written request by -

(a)the Minister; or

(b)not less than five members of the Council; or

(c)not less than one-third of the persons registered in terms of this Act in respect of the profession requesting such a meeting.

(3)A request made in terms of subsection (2) must clearly state the purpose for which the meeting is to be convened.

(4)The Council must hold not less than two meetings in each year, and may hold, in addition thereto, such other meetings as the Council may determine from time to time.

(5)The majority of the members constituting the Council form a quorum for a meeting thereof.

(6)

(a)The Council may make rules in terms of section 67 make rules relating to the holding of, and procedures at, meetings of the Council.

(b)If the Council has not made rules referred to in paragraph (a), the president or any other person who presides at a meeting thereof must determine the procedures to be followed at the meeting over which he or she presides.

(7)

(a)A decision of the majority of the members of the Council present at any meeting of the Council constitutes a decision of the Council.

(b)If all the members of the Council in writing under their signatures approve a written motion submitted by the registrar to all those members, then such motion so approved, notwithstanding paragraph (a) and subject to the other provisions of this section, will be regarded as a decision of the Council in terms of that paragraph.

(c)The registrar must submit a written decision of the Council made in accordance with paragraph (b) to the Council at its first meeting following the making of such decision.

(d)A written decision made in accordance of paragraph (b) -

(i)may be made at any time in between the meetings of the Council; and

(ii)must form a part of the written record of the proceedings of the meeting of the Council at which such written decision was submitted to the Council in terms of paragraph (c).

(8)The person presiding at a meeting of the Council -

(a)has a casting vote, in the event of an equality of votes, in addition to his or her deliberative vote; and

(b)must cause a written record to be kept of the proceedings, at such meeting.

(9)A decision of the Council or an act performed on the authority of the Council is not invalid merely by reason of a vacancy on the Council or of the fact that a person who is not entitled to attend a meeting of the Council was in attendance when the decision was made or the act was authorised, if such decision was made or the act was authorised by the required majority of the members of the Council then present and entitled to sit as members.

(10)

(a)Any member of the Council or of a committee thereof, or any member of a former Board referred to in section 4(1), must preserve secrecy in relation to all matters that has come to his or her knowledge as a result of being such a member, except in so far as the making known of any such matter is required by, or may be made in terms of, this Act or any other law, or is required by an order of a competent court.

(b)Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with paragraph (a) is guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to the penalties specified in section 68(a).

12. Executive committee, professional conduct committee, appeal committee, education committee, and other committees

(1)

(a)For the purposes of performing its duties or functions and exercising its powers in terms of this Act, the Council must establish an executive committee of the Council to so exercise the powers and perform the duties or functions of the Council, subject to paragraph (b), during the periods between the meetings of the Council.

(b)The executive committee -

(i)does not have, except in so far as the Council otherwise directs in writing, the power to set aside or amend any decision made by the Council; and

(ii)must report to the Council in writing, at the first meeting of the Council after a power, duty or function had been exercised or performed by the executive committee, that it had so exercised or performed such power, duty or function, including such other particulars relating thereto as the Council may require.

(c)The Council may amend or set aside, at the meeting referred to in subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (a), any decision or act of the executive committee made or performed in terms of that paragraph.

(d)The executive committee must consist of the president, the vice-president and not less than two other members of the Council elected by the Council from their number.

(e)The president will be the chairperson of the executive committee.

(2)

(a)The Council must establish a standing professional conduct committee to exercise the disciplinary powers of the Council set out in PART VI.

(b)The professional conduct committee may consist, subject to paragraph (c), of such number of persons, including persons who are not members of the Council, as the Council may determine and appoint in writing to such committee.

(c)The professional conduct committee must consist of not less than -

(i)two registered persons;

(ii)one legal practitioner having not less than ten years experience in the practising of law; and

(iii)one other person who is not a registered person.

(d)The registered person referred to in subparagraph (i) of paragraph (c), will be subject to subsection (5) of section 23.

(e)The president will be the chairperson of the professional conduct committee.

(f)The professional conduct committee, when conducting an inquiry in terms of PART VI in respect of any registered person, may co-opt two other registered persons practising the profession of the registered person in respect of whom the inquiry is conducted, to act as members of such committee for the purpose of such inquiry.

(g)If the profession referred to in paragraph (f) does not have two registered members who may be co-opted as members of the professional conduct committee in terms of that paragraph, such committee may so co-opt two other persons who have, in the opinion of such committee, sufficient knowledge of the scope of practice, and sufficient experience in the practising, of such profession.

(h)A decision made by the majority of the members of the professional conduct committee at any meeting thereof constitutes a decision of such committee.

(i)In the event of an equality of votes relating to any decision to be taken by the professional conduct committee at any meeting thereof, the chairperson has a casting vote in addition to his or her deliberative vote.

(j)The chairperson of the professional conduct committee must -

(i)cause a written record to be kept of the proceedings of all the meetings of such committee; and

(ii)submit to the registrar a copy of the written record referred to in subparagraph (i) as soon as practicable after the conclusion of the meeting concerned.

(k)When the registrar receives, in terms of paragraph (j)(ii), the copies of the written record and of the decision concerned, he or she must submit such copies to all the members of the Council for ratification by those members of such decision of the professional conduct committee.

(l)Section 11(7)(b) applies, with the necessary changes, to the ratification by the Council of a decision of the professional conduct committee.

(m)The registrar may submit, notwithstanding paragraph (k), the copies of the written record and of the decision of the professional conduct committee referred to in that paragraph, to a meeting of the Council for ratification of such decision, if such meeting had been convened to take place within a period of 21 days from the date of the receipt by the registrar of such copies of the record and decision.

(n)Unless the Council ratifies a decision of the professional conduct committee, such decision will be null and void ab initio.

(3)

(a)The Council must establish an appeal committee consisting of -

(i)a retired Judge, or a retired magistrate, or a retired Senior Counsel, or a Senior Counsel, who will be the chairperson of the appeal committee;

(ii)one or more members of the Council as the Council may determine;

(iii)one person who is a member of any Professional Council established in Namibia by or in terms of any law relating to any health profession to which this Act does not apply; and

(iv)one person who is not a registered person in terms of this Act or in terms of any law referred to in subparagraph (iii).

(b)For the purposes of this section -

(i)“Judge” means the Chief Justice or a Judge of the Supreme Court of Namibia referred to in Article 79(1), or the Judge-President or a Judge of the High Court of Namibia referred to in Article 80(1), of the Namibian Constitution;

(ii)“magistrate” means a magistrate as defined in section 1 of the Magistrates Act, 2003 (Act No. 3 of 2003), and who, upon the date of his or her retirement, had served as a magistrate for a period of not less than 20 years; and

(iii)“Senior Counsel” means a legal practitioner appointed by the President as a Senior Counsel of Namibia in terms of section 79(3) of the Legal Practitioners Act, 1995 (Act No. 15 of 1995).

(c)The appeal committee, when conducting an appeal, must co-opt two registered persons practising the profession of the registered person who appealed to such committee against the decision or the finding made, or the penalties imposed, or the refusal or failure to make a decision, as the case may be, by the Council or by the professional conduct committee, to act as members of the appeal committee for the purpose of such appeal.

(d)If the profession referred to in paragraph (c) does not have two registered members who may be co-opted as members of the appeal committee in terms of that paragraph, such committee must so co-opt two other persons who have, in the opinion of such committee, sufficient knowledge of the scope of practice, and sufficient experience in the practising, of such profession.

(e)The appeal committee must conduct an appeal in accordance with section 63.

(f)The chairperson of the appeal committee must -

(i)determine the procedures to be followed at a meeting of the appeal committee, including the requirements for a quorum, the procedures relating to the making of decisions and the manner of voting, if such procedures, requirements or manner of voting has not been prescribed;

(ii)cause a written record to be kept of the proceedings of the meeting at which the appeal concerned is considered; and

(iii)furnish the Council with a copy of the record kept in terms of subparagraph (ii) as soon as practicable after the conclusion of the meeting concerned.

(g)The appeal committee may co-opt any other person to assist such committee in the conducting of an appeal.

(h)No person who is a member of the professional conduct committee or of the preliminary investigation committee may be a member of the appeal committee.

(4)

(a)The Council must establish a standing education committee, consisting of such number of persons, including persons who are not members of the Council, as the Council may determine and appoint to such committee.

(b)The education committee established in terms of paragraph (a) must -

(i)advise the Council with regard to; and

(ii)investigate and report to the Council in writing on any matter relating to,

any requirement or qualification pertaining to the registration, education, tuition or training of persons in or relating to the professions to which this Act applies.

(c)The president -

(i)will be the chairperson of the education committee; and

(ii)must determine the procedures to be followed at the meetings of the education committee.

(5)

(a)The Council must establish a standing preliminary investigation committee, consisting of such members as the Council may determine.

(b)The preliminary investigation committee -

(i)must conduct a preliminary investigation into any matter in respect of which the Council or the professional conduct committee is to conduct an inquiry in accordance with PART VI, and referred to it by the Council or the professional conduct committee, as the case may be;

(ii)must submit a written report to the Council or the professional conduct committee, as the case may be, relating to the preliminary investigation conducted in terms of subparagraph (i), including its findings and recommendations in respect of the matter concerned;

(iii)must perform such other functions as the Council may determine and inform such committee in writing; and

(iv)may co-opt any registered person as a member of such committee.

(c)The Council must appoint the members of the preliminary investigation committee, including the chairperson thereof.

(d)The president or the vice-president may not be members of the preliminary investigation committee.

(e)The chairperson of the preliminary investigation committee must determine the procedures to be followed at the meetings of the preliminary investigation committee.

(6)

(a)The Council may establish from time to time one or more committees, consisting of such number of persons, including persons who are not members of the Council, as the Council may determine and appoint thereto in writing.

(b)The functions of a committee established in terms of paragraph (a) will be -

(i)to advise the Council on such matters as it may refer; or

(ii)to assist the Council in the exercise of such of its powers or the performance of such of its duties or functions in terms of this Act as the Council may delegate or assign,

to the committee concerned.

(c)The Council may appoint the members of a committee established in terms of paragraph (a) pursuant to -

(i)a decision of the Council; or

(ii)a nomination, given to the Council in writing, upon the Council’s written invitation, by the association, if any, of the profession concerned.

(d)A delegation or assignment by the Council in terms of paragraph (b)(ii) -

(i)must be made in writing;

(ii)may be made subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Council may determine; and

(iii)may be withdrawn or amended by the Council at any time.

(e)The Council is not divested of any power delegated in terms of this subsection, and may amend or set aside any decision made by a committee established in terms of paragraph (a) in the exercise of a power so delegated.

(f)The Council may -

(i)dissolve or reconstitute, at any time; and

(ii)designate one of the members as the chairperson of,

a committee established in terms of paragraph (a).

(7)Sections 11(5), (6)(b), (7), (8), (9) and (10) apply with the necessary changes to the meetings of a committee referred to in subsection (1), (4), (5) and (6).

(8)

(a)If a committee is unable, for any reason, to reach a decision on any matter, such committee must refer such matter to the Council for a decision.

(b)A decision made by the Council on any matter referred to it in terms of paragraph (a) will be regarded as a decision made by the committee concerned.

(9)A person appointed in terms of this section to a committee may vote on any matter before such committee.

(10)The Council may remove from office any member of any committee referred in this section, including an elected or a nominated member, if the Council is reasonably satisfied, after having given that member an opportunity to be heard, that that member -

(a)is physically or mentally unfit or unable to effectively perform his or her duties as a member;

(b)has neglected his or her duties as a member; or

(c)has divulged, contrary to section 11(10)(a), a matter which had been entrusted to that member.

(11)Unless otherwise provided for in this Act, a committee established by or in terms of this section must meet at such times and places as the Council may determine and inform such committee in writing.

13. Funds of Council

(1)The funds of the Council consist of -

(a)all annual fees, application fees, examination fees, registration fees, fees relating to investigations and any other fees payable to the Council in terms of this Act;

(b)donations or grants made for the benefit of the Council;

(c)the assistance contemplated in subsection (2);

(d)interest derived from investments made in terms of subsection (4);

(e)any fine paid to the Council in terms of section 50(1)(d); and

(f)all other moneys received or made available for the benefit of the Council.

(2)The Minister may grant, subject to such conditions as he or she may determine and in consultation with the Minister responsible for Finance, to the Council from moneys appropriated by Parliament for such purpose, financial assistance to exercise its powers and perform its duties and functions.

(3)The Council must use its funds for the purpose of defraying expenses incurred in connection with the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties and functions.

(4)The Council may -

(a)invest any unexpended portion of its moneys; and

(b)establish such reserve funds and pay into such funds such moneys as it may consider necessary.

(5)The Council must cause -

(a)full and correct accounts to be kept of all moneys received or expended by it;

(b)an annual statement of its income and expenditure to be prepared in respect of every financial year, including a balance sheet reflecting its financial position as at the end of the financial year concerned;

(c)the annual statement and balance sheet referred to in paragraph (b) to be audited annually by a person registered as an accountant and auditor in terms of the Public Accountants’ and Auditors’ Act, 1951 (Act No. 51 of 1951); and

(d)a copy of the audited annual statement and balance sheet referred to in paragraph (c) -

(i)to be submitted to every member of the Council; and

(ii)to lie open at the registrar’s office for inspection by any registered person.

(6)

(a)The Council must submit in each year, within a period of six months after the closing of the Council’s financial year, to the Minister a report on its activities during such financial year, together with a copy of the audited statement and the balance sheet referred to in subsection (5)(c), in respect of the financial year concerned.

(b)The Minister must table the report, audited annual statement and the balance sheet referred to in paragraph (a) in the National Assembly within a period of six months after the date of receiving such report and audited statement.

(7)The financial year of the Council ends on the last day of March in each year.

14. Appointment of registrar and staff

(1)The Council, and the Councils established by law for the social work and psychology professions, the medical and dental professions, the nursing profession and the allied health professions, acting conjointly -

(a)must appoint a registrar to exercise the powers, and perform the duties and functions, of the registrar in terms of section 15, including such additional powers, duties and functions as the Minister may prescribe; and

(b)may appoint one or more assistant registrars;

at such remuneration and subject to such conditions of service as such Councils so acting may determine.

(2)The registrar appointed in terms of subsection (1) must act, notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act, as the registrar of the Council and of all the Councils referred to in that subsection.

(3)The Council and the Councils referred to in subsection (1) must enter into a written agreement to provide for -

(a)the establishing and the conducting of the office of the registrar and all matters relating to such office;

(b)the contributions to be made by the respective Councils in respect of -

(i)the expenses incurred or to be incurred relating to the establishing of the office of the registrar referred to in paragraph (a);

(ii)the payment of the remuneration payable to the registrar, to the assistant registrar and to the other persons employed by the Council and such other Councils conjointly in terms of this section; and

(iii)the running costs and the other expenditure relating to the office of the registrar referred to in paragraph (a); and

(c)such other matters as may be necessary for the efficient joint conducting of the office of the registrar referred to in paragraph (a).

(4)The registrar must -

(a)determine, with the written approval of the Council and of the Councils referred to in subsection (1), acting conjointly, the staff establishment of such Councils; and

(b)employ persons, at such remuneration and subject to such other conditions of service as the Council and the Councils referred to in subsection (1), acting conjointly, may determine, to assist the Council and such other Councils with the performing of all the work and activities which may be necessary for the exercise and performance of the powers, duties and functions of the Council and of such other Councils in terms of this Act or of any other law.

(5)Notwithstanding subsection (4), the registrar may appoint, without the approval of the Council and of the Councils referred to in subsection (1), temporary employees for a period not exceeding two calendar months at such daily remuneration as he or she may consider appropriate.

(6)The remuneration referred to in subsections (1), (4) and (5) must be paid from the funds of the Council and of the Councils referred to in subsection (1) in accordance with the written agreement entered into in terms of subsection (3).

15. Powers, duties and functions of registrar

(1)The registrar -

(a)must exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions assigned to or imposed upon the registrar by or in terms of this Act;

(b)is the secretary of every meeting of the Council and of its committees, unless provided otherwise in this Act;

(c)is responsible for the administrative work pertaining to the functions of the Council, including the keeping, on behalf of the Council, of the registers referred to in section 25;

(d)is responsible for the administrative work pertaining to the functions of every committee of the Council;

(e)is the accounting officer relating to the funds of the Council;

(f)must collect and recover, for the benefit of the Council, all moneys due or accruing to the Council;

(g)has the administrative control, for and on behalf of the Council, over payments made from the funds of the Council;

(h)must keep books of account, or cause such books of account to be kept, as are necessary to fairly represent the state of affairs and business of the Council and to explain the transactions and financial position relating to the business of the Council; and

(i)must exercise such powers and perform such duties and functions as may from time to time be delegated or assigned to or imposed upon the registrar by the Council in terms of section 65, but the Council is not divested of any power exercised by the registrar under any power so delegated, and may amend or set aside any decision of the registrar in the exercise of such power.

(2)

(a)The registrar may in writing authorise the assistant registrar or any member of his or her staff to exercise or perform any power, duty or function conferred or imposed upon him or her by, or delegated or assigned to him or her in terms of, this Act, including a power or duty or function delegated or assigned to him or her by the Council in terms of subsection (1)(i).

(b)The registrar is not divested of any power exercised by the assistant registrar or any member of his or her staff in terms of paragraph (a), and may amend or set aside any decision made by that assistant registrar or that member in the exercise of a power so delegated.

(3)If the registrar is absent or unable to exercise or perform any of his or her powers, duties or functions in terms of this Act or of any other law -

(a)the person appointed as assistant registrar in terms of section 14(1)(b) may exercise or perform, during the period of time that the registrar is so absent or unable to act, the powers, duties or functions of the registrar; or

(b)if no assistant registrar has been appointed in terms of that section, the Council may appoint in writing a person as acting registrar for the period of time of the registrar’s absence or inability to act.

(4)A person appointed as acting registrar in terms of subsection (3)(b) may exercise and perform such of the powers, duties or functions of the registrar, subject to such conditions and restrictions, as the Council may specify in writing at that person’s appointment in terms of that subsection.

Part III – EDUCATION, TUITION, TRAINING, QUALIFICATIONS AND REGISTRATION

16. Control over education and training

(1)Notwithstanding anything in any other law, but subject to this Act and to the laws relating to the medical and dental profession, the nursing profession and the allied health professions, no person or educational institution may offer or provide social work and psychology in Namibia any education, tuition or training having as its object to qualify any person to practise any profession to which this Act applies, or to perform any other activity directed at the physical examination of any person, or the diagnosis, treatment, pharmaceutical care, or the prevention of any physical defect, illness, disease or deficiency in persons, unless such education, tuition or training has been approved by the Council as being appropriate education, tuition or training for such purposes.

(2)Any person or educational institution intending to offer the education, tuition or training referred to in subsection (1) must apply, before offering such education, tuition or training, to the Council in writing and in such form and manner as the Council may determine from time to time, for the written approval of the Council in terms of that subsection.

(3)An application in terms of subsection (2) must be accompanied by -

(a)such particulars and documents regarding such education, tuition or training as may be prescribed, or as the registrar or the Council may require; and

(b)payment of such fees as the Council may determine in respect of such applications, or proof of the payment thereof to the Council.

(4)After considering an application and the relevant documents and particulars referred to in subsection (3), the Council, at its discretion, may -

(a)grant the approval; or

(b)refuse the approval.

(5)The registrar must -

(a)inform an applicant in writing of any decision made in terms of subsection (4);

(b)issue, if approval had been granted, to the applicant a certificate of approval; and

(c)enter particulars of the approval referred to in paragraph (b) into the register concerned; or

(d)inform the applicant in writing, if the approval had been refused, the reasons for such refusal.

(6)An approval granted in terms of subsection (4)(a), in addition to any prescribed condition, may be made subject to such conditions and requirements, and be granted for such period of time, as the Council may determine at the time of such approval, and specify in the certificate of approval concerned.

(7)The Council may appoint in writing from time to time a person -

(a)to investigate, subject to section 56, whether or not the prescribed conditions and the conditions and requirements determined by the Council in terms of subsection (6) in respect of a person or an educational institution, are being complied with by that person or such educational institution; and

(b)to report to the Council on the investigation conducted in accordance with paragraph (a) in such form and manner as the Council may determine and inform that person in writing.

(8)

(a)The Council may withdraw in writing an approval granted in terms of subsection (4)(a), if it is satisfied, after having given the person or educational institution concerned an opportunity to be heard, that that person or such educational institution has failed to comply with any applicable prescribed condition, or condition or requirement determined in terms of subsection (6) and specified in the certificate of approval concerned.

(b)The registrar must by notice in writing inform the person or educational institution concerned of any decision of the Council in terms of paragraph (a).

(9)A person or educational institution referred to in subsection (8) must within a period of 30 days after the date of the notice referred to in paragraph (a) of that subsection return the certificate of approval concerned to the Council.

(10)The registrar must -

(a)cancel a certificate of approval referred to in subsection (9); and

(b)enter such cancellation into the register concerned.

(11)Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with subsection (1) or (9) is guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to the penalties specified in section 68(a).

17. Registration prerequisite for practising

(1)Unless otherwise provided in this Act, no person is entitled to practise within Namibia the profession of -

(a)pharmacist;

(b)pharmacist intern;

(c)pharmaceutical technician; or

(d)pharmacist’s assistant,

unless that person is registered in terms of this Act to practise the profession concerned.

(2)Unless otherwise provided in this Act and except in so far as it is authorised by the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act 2003 (Act No. 13 of 2003) or the laws relating to the medical and dental professions, the nursing profession, the allied health professions, the psychology profession or the veterinary profession, no person is entitled to practise within Namibia for gain any profession, the practising of which mainly consists of -

(a)the preparing or compounding of any medicine or medicinal or chemical substance for supply as a medicine;

(b)the supplying of any medicine on the prescription of a medical practitioner, dentist or veterinarian;

(c)the manufacturing of medicine or the supervising of the manufacturing thereof;

(d)the furnishing of advice to any person with regard to any medicine;

(e)the providing of storage for, and the distribution of, pharmaceuticals and medicines;

(f)the conducting of research and the development of pharmaceutical sciences and clinical pharmacology;

(g)the performing of any act prescribed by or in terms of this Act or any other law as an act that may be performed only by a pharmacist, pharmacist intern, pharmacist assistant or pharmaceutical technician;

(h)the performing of any other act, whether or not defined in this Act, specially pertaining to the profession of a pharmacist, pharmacist intern, pharmacist assistant or pharmaceutical technician;

(i)rendering pharmaceutical services or care,

unless that person is registered by the Council for such purpose.

(3)Subsection (2) may not be construed as permitting the performance or any act by persons registered in terms of the laws referred to therein which is not performed in the ordinary course of the practising of his or her profession.

(4)Any person who contravenes subsections (1) or (2) is guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to the penalties specified in section 68(b).

18. Minimum requirements of study for registration

(1)The Minister may prescribe from time to time, on the recommendation of the Council and in respect of the professions to which this Act applies, the qualifications obtained by virtue of examinations conducted by any educational institution or other examining authority, which, when held singly or conjointly with any other qualification, entitles the holder thereof to registration in terms of this Act, if that holder has complied, before or in connection with or after the acquisition of the qualification concerned, with such other requirements and conditions as may be prescribed in terms of or required by this Act in respect of such registration.

(2)No qualification obtained by virtue of examinations conducted by an educational institution or other examining authority situated outside Namibia may be prescribed in terms of subsection (1), unless -

(a)such qualification entitles the holder thereof to practise the profession concerned in the country or state in which such educational institution or other examining authority is situated; and

(b)the Minister is satisfied that such qualification is of a standard of professional education not lower than the qualification prescribed in terms of subsection (1) in respect of the profession concerned.

(3)The Minister may prescribe, on the recommendation of the Council, the requirements with which the examining authorities referred to in subsection (1) must comply.

(4)For the purposes of this section, “other examining authority” means any examining authority recognised by the Minister by notice in the Gazette for the purposes specified in such notice.

19. Practical training prerequisite for registration as pharmacist

(1)Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, no person who has obtained a qualification prescribed in terms of section 18 may be registered as a pharmacist in terms of this Act, unless that person has completed as a pharmacist intern, to the satisfaction of the Council and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, for a period of not less than one year or periods of not less than one year in the aggregate, the prescribed practical training in Namibia -

(a)under the supervision of a tutor pharmacist;

(b)in a pharmacy; and

(c)by virtue of a contract of training lodged with the registrar and approved by the Council in writing prior to the commencement of such training.

(2)A tutor pharmacist referred to in subsection (1)(a) may not enter into a contract of training referred to in subsection (1)(c) with a pharmacists intern, unless the pharmacy referred to in subsection (1)(b) is registered with the Council as a training pharmacy for the purposes of this section.

(3)The Minister may prescribe the requirements relating to the registration by the Council of a pharmacy referred to in subsection (1)(b) as a training pharmacy for the purposes of this section, including the procedures relating to the application for such registration.

(4)Section 22 applies, with the necessary changes, to an application for the registration of a pharmacy as a training pharmacy.

(5)The Council may determine, subject to section 28(1), the application fees payable in respect of an application for the registration as a training pharmacy in terms of this section.

(6)For the purposes of this section, “tutor pharmacist” means -

(a)the pharmacist who;

(b)the managing director of the company which;

(c)the manager of the close corporation which,

is registered as the owner of the training pharmacy concerned.

(7)A pharmacist intern is regarded, during the final month of the period of practical training referred to in subsection (1), to be a pharmacist.

20. Registration of pharmacist’s assistant and pharmaceutical technician

(1)Any person who -

(a)has obtained credit for the first year of study for a prescribed qualification in pharmacy at an institution approved by the Council, and who is registered with the Council as a pharmacy student; or

(b)is in possession of a qualification contemplated in subsection (3),

may on payment of the prescribed fee be registered as a pharmacist’s assistant.

(2)Any person holding a qualification in pharmacy which he or she has obtained outside Namibia, and which is not a qualification which, when held singly or conjointly with any other qualification, entitles the holder thereof to registration as a pharmacist in terms of this Act, may on payment of the prescribed fees be registered as a pharmacist’s assistant, provided that -

(a)such person has complied with the prescribed requirements; and

(b)the Council is satisfied that he or she is suitable to be registered as a pharmacist’s assistant.

(3)The Council may by notice in the Gazette make rules regarding -

(a)the recognition of a qualification obtained in Namibia entitling the holder thereof to be registered as a pharmacist’s assistant and the conditions subject to which that registration may take place; and

(b)the registration of pharmacist’s assistants, and the conditions or requirements applicable to persons registered as such.

(4)A pharmacist’s assistant who refuses or fails to comply with any condition or requirement applicable to him or her in terms of subsection (3) is guilty of unprofessional conduct, and on conviction in a professional conduct inquiry liable to any one or more of the penalties referred to in section 50.

(5)The Minister may prescribe, on the recommendation of the Council, the requirements relating to the registration of a pharmaceutical technician, including the qualifications required for, and the procedures relating to, such registration.

21. Application for registration

(1)Any person who wishes to be registered in terms of this Act must submit to the registrar an application in the form determined by the Council.

(2)An application referred to in subsection (1) must be accompanied by -

(a)the certificate relating to any qualification upon which the applicant relies for registration in terms of this Act, or a photocopy or other copy of such certificate duly certified by a commissioner of oaths, to the satisfaction of the registrar, as a true copy of the original;

(b)if any period of practical training is prescribed in respect of the profession concerned, written proof to the satisfaction of the Council that the applicant has satisfactorily completed the period of practical training so prescribed and has met all the requirements prescribed in respect of such practical training;

(c)if the applicant was registered previously in a country other than Namibia to practise the profession in respect of which registration is applied for, or is at the time of such application for registration still so registered, a letter of good standing from the registering authority concerned of each country in which the applicant was registered or practised his or her profession during the five years immediately preceding the date of the application, or is still so registered or practising, which certificate must be issued not more than 120 days before the date of the submission of such application;

(d)such documents and information as may be prescribed in respect of such application;

(e)such additional documents or information as the registrar or the Council may require in respect of such application; and

(f)payment of the fees determined by the Council in respect of such application, or written proof of the payment thereof to the Council.

(3)Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of subsection (2), the Council may require that a copy of a certificate referred to in that paragraph must be verified in the manner determined by the Council.

22. Procedures relating to registration

(1)The registrar must refer an application for registration submitted to him or her in terms of subsection (1) of section 21, including the documents and other information referred to in subsection (2) of that section, to the Council for its decision.

(2)The Council, after having considered the application for registration, and the documents and other information, referred to in subsection (1), and where applicable, the results of any evaluation made in terms of subsection (3), may -

(a)grant the application for registration, if it is satisfied that the applicant -

(i)meets the requirements relating to study and qualifications prescribed in terms of section 18(1) in respect of the profession concerned;

(ii)has complied with section 21;

(iii)is a fit and proper person to be so registered; and

(iv)has paid to the Council the fees determined in respect of such application; or

(b)refuse the application, if the Council is satisfied that the applicant -

(i)does not meet the requirements relating to study and qualifications prescribed in terms of section 18(1) in respect of the profession concerned; or

(ii)has not complied with section 21; or

(iii)is not a fit and proper person to be so registered; or

(iv)has not paid to the Council the fees determined in respect of such application.

(3)

(a)Notwithstanding any examination that may be prescribed, the passing of which is a requirement for registration in terms of this Act, the Council may require an applicant to pass to the satisfaction of the Council an evaluation referred to in paragraph (b), in order to determine whether or not the applicant -

(i)possesses adequate professional knowledge, skill and competence in the profession for which registration has been applied for; and

(ii)is proficient in the official language of Namibia.

(b)The Council may determine for the purposes of paragraph (a) from time to time -

(i)the nature, contents and the extent or ambit of the evaluation to be conducted;

(ii)the persons who must serve on the panel that has to conduct the evaluation,

in accordance with that paragraph.

(c)The applicant concerned must pay the fees determined by the Council in respect of an evaluation conducted in terms of this section before sitting for any such evaluation.

(4)The Council must -

(a)inform the applicant concerned in writing of any decision of the Council in terms of this section;

(b)issue, if the registration had been granted, to the applicant concerned a certificate relating to the registration concerned and enter his or her name into the relevant register;

(c)inform the applicant concerned in writing, if the registration had been refused, as soon as practicable of the reasons for such refusal.

(5)Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, the registrar, acting for, on behalf and in the name, place and stead of the Council, may exercise the powers, and perform the duties and functions, of the Council in terms of this section.

(6)The Council -

(a)is not divested of any power, duty or function referred to in; and

(b)may amend or set aside any decision made by the registrar in the exercising of any power or the performance of any function or duty, in terms of,

subsection (5).

(7)The registrar must submit in writing to the Council at every meeting thereof -

(a)the full names and other particulars relating to every person registered by the registrar acting in terms of subsection (5), during the period following the previous submission by the registrar to the Council in accordance with this subsection; and

(b)particulars of the applications for registration refused by the registrar acting in terms of subsection (5), and the reasons for such refusal.

(8)Notwithstanding subsection (5), the registrar may refer any application for registration in terms of this section to the Council for consideration.

23. Conditional registration

(1)The Council may register any person, subject to the other provisions of this section, who is not in possession of a qualification prescribed in terms of section 18(1) and who lodges an application for registration with the Council, if the person who has lodged such application -

(a)is in possession of a qualification which the Council is satisfied as being of a standard of professional education not lower than the standard prescribed in terms of that section; and

(b)

(i)has received such additional prescribed education, tuition or training, whether in or outside Namibia; and

(ii)has passed the prescribed additional examinations, whether in or outside Namibia,

as the Council may determine.

(2)

(a)For the purposes of paragraph (b) of subsection (1), the Council may register conditionally an applicant referred to in, and who complies with paragraph (a) of, that subsection -

(i)for such period or periods of time; and

(ii)on such conditions subject to which the applicant may practise his or her profession,

as the Council may determine.

(b)When the Council registers a person in terms of paragraph (a) conditionally, the Council must issue to that person a certificate of conditional registration in such form as the Council may determine.

(c)The certificate issued in accordance with paragraph (b) must specify the period or the periods of time referred to in paragraph (a)(i), and particulars relating to the conditions referred to in paragraph (a)(ii).

(3)

(a)In order to decide whether or not to register any person conditionally in terms of subsection (2), the Council may require the applicant concerned to pass to its satisfaction an evaluation, in order to determine whether or not that applicant -

(i)possesses adequate professional knowledge, skills and competence in or relating to the profession in respect of which registration has been applied for; and

(ii)is proficient in the official language of Namibia.

(b)The Council may determine, for the purposes of paragraph (a), from time to time -

(i)the nature and requirements of or relating to the evaluation to be conducted; and

(ii)the constitution of the panel which has to conduct the evaluation,

referred to in that paragraph.

(c)The applicant concerned must pay to the Council the fees determined by it in respect of an evaluation conducted in terms of this section before sitting for any such an evaluation.

(4)As soon as any person in possession of a conditional registration certificate has complied with subsection (1)(b) and upon the expiry of any period or periods of time determined by the Council in terms of subsection (2), and specified in such conditional registration certificate, he or she may apply in writing to the Council to sit for the prescribed additional examinations referred to in subsection (1)(c).

(5)A person conditionally registered in terms of this section may not be appointed, elected or nominated as a member of the Council or of a committee of the Council.[subsection (5) substituted by section 4 of Act 11 of 2018]

(6)The Council may withdraw in writing, at any time during the period of time for which a conditional registration certificate had been issued, and after having afforded the holder thereof an opportunity to be heard, such certificate and remove the name of the person concerned from the relevant conditional registration register, if the Council is satisfied that the person to whom such certificate had been issued has refused or failed to comply with all the conditions or requirements specified on such certificate.

(7)Notwithstanding subsection (6), any person in possession of a conditional registration certificate and who performs any act which he or she may not perform in respect of the profession concerned, or which he or she performs in contravention of any condition or requirement of such conditional registration, is guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to the penalties specified in section 68(b).

(8)No person who is in possession of a qualification prescribed in terms of section 18(1), and which qualification entitles him or her to registration in terms of section 22, may be registered conditionally in terms of this section.

24. Registration of person registered conditionally

Any person registered conditionally in terms of section 23 may apply to the Council, as soon as he or she has complied with that section and the conditions specified in the conditional registration certificate concerned, for registration in terms of section 22.

25. Keeping of registers

(1)

(a)Subject to section 71, the Council must continue to keep, for the purposes of this Act, the registers which were kept before the commencement date in terms of the provisions of any law repealed by section 72 and which registers relate to the persons required to be registered to practise certain professions in terms of this Act.

(b)The registers referred to in paragraph (a) are for all purposes regarded to be registers established in terms of this Act.

(2)The Council must establish and keep in respect of the persons registered in terms of this Act to practise the professions concerned, and the pharmacies and the owners of pharmacies registered, separate registers in respect of -

(a)such different professions or registered persons as the Council may determine;

(b)the registration and conditional registration of persons;

(c)students or interns who are completing training or internships in Namibia relating to a qualification required for registration to practise any such profession;

(d)training pharmacies registered in terms of section 19, including the tutor pharmacists in respect of such training pharmacies; and

(e)pharmacy practices owned by companies, close corporations and pharmacists, and registered in terms of this Act.

(3)The registrar must enter or cause to be entered into the appropriate register referred to in subsection (2) the particulars relating to every person whose application for registration had been granted in terms of this Act, or relating to the company, close corporation or pharmacy concerned, as the case may be, including -

(a)his or her full names, identity number, physical address, postal address and details of any other means by which that person may be contacted;

(b)the qualification in terms of which he or she is so registered;

(c)the date of such registration and the registration number concerned;

(d)the registration category in which he or she holds such registration and particulars of his or her speciality or professional category, if any; and

(e)such other particulars as the Council may determine from time to time or as may be prescribed.

(4)

(a)The Council may amend, with the written approval of the Minister, the name of a register kept in terms of subsection (2).

(b)If the Council amends the name of a register in accordance with paragraph (a), any person who immediately before such amendment was registered in such register will be regarded for all purposes to be registered in the register bearing the amended name.

(5)

(a)If the Council intends to amend the name of a register in terms of subsection (4), the Council must publish in the Gazette and in such newspapers as the Council considers appropriate, a notice of such intention and the date with effect from which the name of such register will be amended.

(b)A notice in terms of paragraph (a) must be published not less than 30 days before the date of the intended amendment of the name of the register concerned.

(6)Every registered person who changes his or her address, must notify the registrar in writing and within a period of 30 days after such change of address of his or her new address.

(7)The registers must lie open for inspection during ordinary office hours at the offices of the Council.

(8)The Council may direct the registrar in writing to perform the functions of the Council in terms of this section for and on behalf of the Council in the manner and to the extent, and subject to the conditions, as the Council may determine and specify in such directive.

26. Removal of name from register and effect of such removal

(1)The Council may remove from the register concerned the name of any registered person -

(a)who has failed to notify the registrar in terms of section 25(6) of any change of his or her address, or who has failed to notify the registrar of his or her correct physical address, within a period of three months after the date of a request for particulars of such physical address by the registrar by prepaid registered letter addressed to that registered person at his or her postal address as it appears in the register concerned;

(b)who has requested in writing that his or her name be removed from the register;

(c)who has failed to pay to the Council on or before 31 March of the year concerned the annual fees determined by the Council in terms of section 28(1)(c) and payable by that registered person;

(d)whose name has been removed from the register, record or roll of any educational institution from which that person received the qualification by virtue of which he or she was registered in terms of this Act;

(e)who has been registered in error or as a result of fraud or in circumstances not authorised by this Act; or

(f)who has been found guilty of unprofessional conduct and upon whom the penalties referred to in section 50(1)(c) has been imposed.

(2)

(a)The registrar may in respect of a request by a registered person in terms of subsection (1)(b) require that person to lodge with the registrar an affidavit to the effect that no proceedings relating to any unprofessional conduct or to any criminal act have been, or are likely to be, instituted against him or her.

(b)Particulars of the reason for every removal of a name from a register in terms of subsection (1) must be entered into such register as a part of such removal.

(3)The registrar, or a person designated in writing by the registrar for such purpose, must by notice in writing inform the person whose name has been removed from the register in terms of subsection (1) that his or her name has been so removed and the reason for such removal.

(4)A notice referred to in subsection (3) must be served either by prepaid registered letter addressed to the person referred to in that subsection at his or her postal address as it appears in the register concerned, or in the prescribed manner.

(5)After the date of service of a notice in terms of subsection (4), until such time as the name of the person referred to in subsection (1) is restored to the register concerned -

(a)the registration certificate relating to that person is regarded to be withdrawn; and

(b)that person must cease to practise the profession in respect of which he or she had been registered, or to perform any act which no person other than a registered person may perform.

(6)

(a)If any registered person is declared mentally ill in terms of the Mental Health Act, 1973 (Act No. 18 of 1973), or if a curator is appointed by the High Court to conduct or manage the affairs of that person, the Registrar of the High Court must submit to the registrar, as soon as practicable, a copy of the order declaring that registered person a mentally ill person or appointing that curator, as the case may be.

(b)Upon receipt of the copy of the order referred to in paragraph (a), the registrar must remove the name of the person named in such order from the register concerned, and inform the Council in writing of such removal.

(c)Subsections (3) and (4) apply, with the necessary changes, to the removal of the name of a registered person from a register in terms of paragraph (b).

(7)

(a)If the death of any registered person is reported to the Master of the High Court, the Master must submit to the registrar, as soon as practicable, a copy of the death certificate of such deceased registered person.

(b)Upon receipt of the copy of the death certificate referred to in paragraph (a), the registrar must remove the name of that deceased registered person from the register concerned, and inform the Council of such removal.

(8)Any person referred to in subsection (5) who fails to comply with or acts in contravention of paragraph (b) of that subsection is guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to the penalties specified in section 68(b).

27. Restoration of name to register

(1)Subject to subsection (2), a person whose name has been removed from a register in terms of section 26 may apply to the Council, in the form and manner determined by it, to have his or her name restored to such register.

(2)An application referred to in subsection (1) must be accompanied by -

(a)such documents and information as may be prescribed in respect of such application;

(b)such additional documents and information as the Council may require;

(c)if the name of a person were removed from the register in terms of section 26(1)(c), payment of the outstanding annual fees concerned;

(d)if the name of a person had been removed from the register in terms of section 26(1)(f), proof to the satisfaction of the Council that the applicant has complied with all the conditions or requirements as may be prescribed or as the Council may require in respect of such application, and that the applicant is a fit and proper person to be so restored to such register;

(e)if the name of a person were removed from the register in terms of section 26(6), written proof to the satisfaction of the Council of his or her sound mental health, or proof that the order of court placing him or her under curatorship has been set aside, as the case may be; and

(f)payment of the fees determined by the Council in respect of such application for restoration.

(3)In the case of the removal of a name from a register in terms of section 26(1)(a), (b), (c), (d), or (e), the registrar, acting for and on behalf of the Council -

(a)must restore to the register concerned the name of the applicant referred to in subsection (1), if the registrar is satisfied that that applicant has complied; or

(b)may refuse an application referred to in subsection (1), if the registrar is satisfied that the applicant has not complied,

with the applicable provisions of subsection (2).

(4)In the case of the removal of a name from a register in terms of subsections (1)(f) or (6)(b) of section 26, or if the registrar has any doubt relating to any application referred to in subsection (3), the registrar must refer the application for restoration concerned to the Council for consideration and a decision.

(5)The registrar must -

(a)inform in writing a person who has applied to the Council in terms of subsection (1) for the restoration of his or her name to a register, of any decision made in terms of subsection (3) or (4), as the case may be, and in the event of the registrar’s or the Council’s refusal to grant the application for restoration, the reasons for such refusal; and

(b)if the name of the person concerned has been restored to the register, issue to the applicant a certificate of restoration in such form as the Council may determine.

(6)The Council may determine, with the approval of the Minister and subject to section 28 -

(a)fees payable to the Council relating to the restoration of the name of a person to a register in terms of this section; and

(b)different restoration fees in terms of paragraph (a) in respect of the different reasons for the removal of a person’s name from the register and in respect of the period of time for which such name was so removed.

(7)The Council -

(a)is not divested of any power, duty or function referred to in; and

(b)may amend or set aside any decision made by the registrar in the exercising of any power or the performance of any duty or function in terms of,

subsection (3).

28. Fees payable to Council and maintaining of registration by registered person

(1)The Council may determine, with the written approval of the Minister -

(a)application fees, registration fees, inspection fees, investigation fees and examination fees;

(b)any other fees in respect of any power exercised or duty or function performed by the Council;

(c)subject to subsection (4), the annual fees, or the portion thereof in respect of a part of a year, payable by -

(i)any registered person;

(ii)any private company registered in terms of section 35;

(iii)any close corporation registered in terms of section 36;

(iv)any pharmacy practice registered in terms of this Act,

to the Council in terms of this Act.

(2)The Council may amend or repeal from time to time, with the approval of the Minister, any of the fees determined in terms of subsection (1).

(3)A fee determined, or an amendment or repeal thereof, in terms of this section, must be made known by the president of the Council by notice in the Gazette.

(4)When the Council determines the annual fees payable to it by registered persons, the Council may determine different fees -

(a)in respect of different professions or different registration categories relating to a profession;

(b)in respect of the number of years which any registered person has been practising his or her profession; or

(c)based on such criteria as may be prescribed.

(5)If any person liable to pay any annual fees determined in terms of subsection (1)(c) fails or refuses to pay such fees before or on 31 March of the year in respect of which such fees are due and payable, the Council may recover such unpaid fees by means of proceedings in a competent court, whether or not that person’s name has been removed from the register concerned.

(6)If any person whose name has been removed from a register applies for the restoration of his or her name to such register, the Council may not consider such application for restoration until such time as the applicant has paid in full all amounts due and payable by him or her to the Council in terms of this Act.

(7)The Council may in writing exempt any person in part or fully from paying any annual fees determined in terms of subsection (1)(c).

(8)When a registered person pays to the Council the annual fees determined in terms of subsection (1)(c) and payable to the Council by that registered person, the Council must issue a certificate in the name of that registered person as proof of the payment of such annual fees.

(9)A certificate issued in terms of subsection (8) -

(a)must be in such form as the Council may determine;

(b)must specify -

(i)the name of the Council;

(ii)the full names and surname of the registered person concerned;

(iii)particulars of the profession in respect of which the person concerned is registered;

(iv)the amount of the fees paid;

(v)the period of time in respect of which the annual payment was made and in respect of which such certificate will be valid;

(vi)such particulars as may be prescribed; and

(vii)such additional particulars as the Council may determine; and

(c)will serve as proof until the contrary is proven of the fact that the registered person named in such certificate has maintained his or her registration for the period of time specified in such certificate.

29. Register as proof

(1)A copy of any register of the Council, signed by the registrar, is proof until the contrary is proven in all legal proceedings of the facts recorded therein.

(2)The absence of the name of any person from a copy of a register referred to in subsection (1) is proof until the contrary is proven that the person concerned is not registered in terms of this Act.

(3)If the name of a person -

(a)does not appear in a copy of a register referred to in subsection (1), or has been added to such register after the date of such copy, a certified copy under the hand of the registrar of the entry of the name of that person in such register is proof until the contrary is proven that the person is registered in terms of this Act;

(b)has been removed from the register referred to in paragraph (a) and has not been restored thereto, a certificate under the hand of the registrar that the name of that person has been removed from such register is proof until the contrary is proven that the person is not registered in terms of this Act.

30. Certificate of status and extract from register

(1)A registered person may apply, in such form and manner as the Council may determine, to the registrar for the issue of a certificate of status in terms of subsection (2).

(2)Upon the payment of the fees determined by the Council in terms of section 28(1)(a) in respect of an application in terms of subsection (1), and upon the submission to the registrar of an affidavit by the registered person concerned that no criminal proceedings are pending against that registered person, the registrar must issue to that registered person a certificate of status containing particulars relating to -

(a)that person’s status in respect of registration in terms of this Act;

(b)whether or not that registered person is disqualified in part or wholly from practising his or her profession in terms of this Act;

(c)whether or not any proceedings pertaining to unprofessional conduct are pending against that registered person at the time of the issuing the certificate of status;

(d)whether or not that registered person has been found guilty of any unprofessional conduct and, if so, the nature of the charge, the date of the finding and the penalties imposed;

(e)whether or not that registered person is an impaired person in terms of section 56; and

(f)if that registered person is an impaired person in terms of section 56, the date of the finding concerned made and the nature of the conditions of registration and practice which are applicable to that person at the time of the issuing of the certificate of status.

(3)A certificate of status referred to in subsection (2) -

(a)must be issued in such form and manner; and

(b)may be issued subject to such conditions,

as the Council may determine.

(4)The registrar must issue under his or her hand, upon the written application by any person and upon the payment of the applicable fees determined by the Council in terms of section 28(1)(a), to that person a certified extract from the register.

31. Registration of additional qualifications and specialities

(1)The Minister may prescribe, from time to time and on the recommendation of the Council, the qualifications that may be registered as -

(a)additional qualifications;

(b)specialities;

(c)professional categories or additional professional categories,

in terms of this section, including the curricula concerned, the period of time required for and the nature of the education, tuition and training concerned, the examinations to be passed, and the educational institutions where such education, tuition and training may be completed.

(2)Any registered person who, in addition to the qualification by virtue of which that person had been registered in the first instance, desires to -

(a)have an additional qualification registered; or

(b)be registered -

(i)as a specialist; or

(ii)in another professional category or in an additional professional category,

may apply to the Council, in the form and manner determined by it, to have such additional qualification, speciality, professional category or additional professional category, as the case may be, entered against his or her name in the register concerned.

(3)An application referred to in subsection (2) must be accompanied by -

(a)such documentary proof that the applicant holds the relevant qualification in respect of the application as the Council may require;

(b)such documents and information as may be prescribed in respect of such application;

(c)such additional documents or information as the registrar or Council may require; and

(d)payment of the fees determined by the Council in respect of such applications.

(4)If the Council is satisfied that the qualification relating to the application has been prescribed and that subsection (3) and any other prescribed requirement, if any, have been complied with, it must cause such additional qualification, speciality, professional category or additional professional category, as the case may be, to be entered into the register against the name of the applicant.

(5)The Council may enter into the register against the name of an applicant an additional qualification, speciality, professional category or additional professional category not prescribed in terms of this Act, if -

(a)the Council is satisfied that the qualification upon which the applicant relies for registration in terms of this section is of a standard of professional education not lower than the qualification prescribed in respect of such application; and

(b)the applicant passes to the satisfaction of the Council, whether in or outside Namibia, an examination prescribed by the Minister on the recommendation of the Council, or if no such examination has been prescribed, such examination as the Council may specify, in order to determine whether or not the applicant -

(i)possesses a standard of professional knowledge, skill and competence relating to the additional qualification, speciality or professional category for which registration has been applied and that would enable him or her to practise the profession in respect of the additional qualification, speciality or professional category concerned; and

(ii)is proficient in the official language of Namibia.

(6)The Council may identify, for the purposes of subsection (5) and from time to time, the person or persons who have to conduct the examination referred to in that subsection.

(7)An applicant referred to in subsection (2) must pay the fees determined by the Council in terms of section 28 in respect of an examination conducted in terms of this section before sitting for any such examination.

(8)The registrar must -

(a)inform an applicant in writing of any decision made in terms of this section;

(b)if the application had been granted in terms of subsection (4) or (5), issue to the applicant a certificate relating to the registration concerned and enter his or her name into the relevant register; and

(c)if the application had been refused, inform the applicant of the reasons for such refusal.

(9)Any person who assumes, uses or publishes in any way whatsoever any name, title, description or symbol indicating, or calculated to lead any person to infer, that he or she holds any qualification, speciality, professional category or additional professional category registered in terms of this section, and if such qualification, speciality, professional category or additional professional category is not so registered, is guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to the penalties specified in section 68(b).

32. Continuing professional development

(1)The Council may determine from time to time -

(a)the continuing professional development that will apply to registered persons or to a class of registered persons so determined;

(b)the nature, extent and duration of the professional development determined in terms of paragraph (a); and

(c)the conditions pertaining to the continuing professional development by registered persons determined in terms of paragraph (a), including, but not limited to, the attending or completion or presenting of study courses or refresher courses, or the passing of examinations relating to such professional development.

(2)Notwithstanding subsection (1), and in addition thereto, the Minister may prescribe -

(a)the continuing professional development that will apply to a registered person or to a class of registered persons so prescribed for the purposes of paragraph (b);

(b)that the registration of a registered person may not be maintained in terms of section 28 unless that registered person has attended or completed, or has otherwise complied with, during the period of time so prescribed and to the satisfaction of the Council, the continuing professional development prescribed in terms of paragraph (a) and applicable to that registered person; and

(c)the procedures to be followed by the Council in the event of a registered person failing to comply with any determination made by the Council in terms of subsection (1) or any regulation made in terms of this subsection, and the powers of the Council relating to such procedures.

33. Temporary registration for purposes of educational demonstrations or training

(1)Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, the Council may register, for the purpose of promoting education, tuition or training in respect of, or relating to, any profession to which this Act applies, any person not permanently resident in Namibia to teach or train or give educational demonstrations relating to any such profession for such period of time and subject to such conditions as the Council may determine.

(2)The Council may determine the form of and the procedures relating to an application to the Council for temporary registration in terms of this section, including the form of the certificate of temporary registration to be issued by the Council and the application fees payable, if any.

(3)No person may be registered in terms of subsection (1) unless that person, in terms of the laws of the country in which he or she -

(a)is resident; or

(b)obtained the educational qualification which entitles him or her to be registered to practise his or her profession,

is registered to practise his or her profession in such country.

(4)Any person who teaches or trains or provides educational demonstrations referred to in subsection (1), without being registered in terms of that subsection, is guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to the penalties specified in section 68(a).

(5)This section does not apply to registered persons or to persons employed by educational institutions.

34. Educational institutions to furnish particulars

(1)Every educational institution in Namibia at which a qualification can be obtained, and which qualification will entitle the holder thereof to registration in terms of this Act, must furnish the Council in writing, at the Council’s written request and within a period of 30 days after the receipt of such request, with full particulars in respect of -

(a)the standard of general education and training required of students for admission to the relevant course or field of study;

(b)the courses of study, training and examinations required of a student before such qualification may be granted;

(c)the particulars of examinations conducted and the results thereof in respect of a specific student or of a specific category of students; and

(d)such other particulars relating to the education and training offered by such educational institution as the Council may from time to time require.

(2)If -

(a)any educational institution referred to in subsection (1) fails or refuses to furnish the particulars requested by the Council in terms of that subsection; or

(b)it appears to the Council that any provision of this Act or any condition prescribed or determined by or in terms of this Act pertaining to the educational institution referred to in subsection (1) is not properly being complied with, and that such improper compliance may adversely affect the standard of the education, tuition and training in respect of the professional training concerned to be maintained at such educational institution,

the Minister may determine, on the recommendation of the Council and by notice in the Gazette, that any qualification granted by the educational institution after the date specified in such notice does not entitle any holder thereof to registration in terms of this Act.

(3)The Minister may determine, on the recommendation of the Council and by notice in the Gazette, whether or not any qualification other than a qualification referred to in subsection (2), and granted subsequent to the date specified in such notice by the educational institution referred to in that subsection, entitles the holder thereof to registration in terms of this Act.

(4)The Minister may repeal or amend, on the recommendation of the Council, any notice published in terms of subsection (2) or (3), if it appears to the Minister that the educational institution in respect of which such notice was published has made satisfactory provision to comply with the requirements of this Act or with the prescribed or other conditions referred to in subsection (2)(b).

(5)A qualification specified in a notice issued in terms of subsection (2) which had been granted by an educational institution to which the notice relates between the date specified in such notice and the date of the repeal of such notice, does not entitle the holder thereof to registration in terms of this Act.

(6)The Council may appoint in writing, for the purposes of subsection (2)(b), a person to investigate, subject to section 61, whether the prescribed conditions, and the conditions and requirements determined by the Council, in respect of an educational institution referred to in that subsection are being complied with by such educational institution, and to report to the Council on such investigation within such period of time and in such manner as the Council may determine and specify in such written appointment.

35. Private company conducting business as pharmacist

(1)Notwithstanding anything in this Act, but subject to the other provisions of this section, no company may conduct business as a pharmacist, unless -

(a)such company is a private company having share capital and is registered and incorporated in terms of the Companies Act, 1973 (Act No. 61 of 1973);[The Companies Act 61 of 1973 has been replaced by the Companies Act 28 of 2004.]

(b)such company has been registered by the Council in terms of this Act to conduct such business;

(c)the managing director of such company complies with subsection (9); and

(d)the managing director referred to in paragraph (c) continuously manages and controls the business as a pharmacist conducted by such company subject to the terms and conditions imposed by the Council when registering such company in terms of paragraph (b).

(2)If the managing director of a company referred to in subsection (1)(c) for any reason ceases to be such managing director, or ceases to manage and control the business as a pharmacist concerned, such company may conduct, notwithstanding subsection (1) but subject to subsection (3), such business as a pharmacist for a period of time not exceeding 30 days from the date upon which such person ceases to be such managing director, or to act as such, or ceases to manage and control such business.

(3)A business as a pharmacist may be conducted in terms of subsection (2) -

(a)only if such business as a pharmacist is so conducted under the continuous management, supervision and control of a pharmacist; and

(b)subject to such other conditions as may be prescribed.

(4)Subject to the other provisions of this section, a company desiring to conduct business as a pharmacist must apply to the Council, in the form and manner determined by the Council, for registration to conduct such business.

(5)An application referred to in subsection (4) must be submitted to the registrar, and be accompanied by -

(a)such documents and information as may be prescribed in respect of such application;

(b)such additional documents or information as the registrar or the Council may require; and

(c)payment of the fees determined by the Council in respect of such applications, or proof of the payment thereof to the Council.

(6)The registrar must submit an application made in terms of subsection (4), together with the documents and information referred to in subsection (5), and any report or recommendation he or she may wish to make in respect of such application, to the Council for its consideration and decision.

(7)The Council, after having considered the application for registration, and the documents and other information, referred to in subsection (5), may -

(a)grant the application for registration, if it is satisfied that the applicant -

(i)meets the requirements relating to registration in terms of this section; and

(ii)has paid to the Council the fees determined in respect of such application; or

(b)refuse the application, if the Council is satisfied that the applicant -

(i)does not meet the requirements relating to registration in terms of this section; or

(ii)has not paid to the Council the fees determined in respect of such application.

(8)The registrar must -

(a)inform the applicant concerned in writing of any decision of the Council in terms of subsection (7);

(b)issue, if the registration had been granted, in the name of the company concerned a certificate, in such form as the Council may determine, relating to the registration concerned and enter the name of the company and the prescribed particulars into the relevant register;

(c)inform the applicant concerned in writing, if the registration had been refused, as soon as practicable of the reasons for such refusal.

(9)Notwithstanding anything in this Act, the managing director referred to in subsection (1)(c) -

(a)must be a pharmacist;

(b)must be -

(i)a Namibian citizen and be ordinarily resident in Namibia; or

(ii)lawfully admitted to Namibia for permanent residence therein and be ordinarily resident in Namibia; and

(c)may not be engaged, subject to subsection (10), in any business as a pharmacist which does not belong to the company concerned, either as sole owner or in partnership with any other person, unless with the prior written approval of the Council.

(10)The managing director referred to in subsection (9) may -

(a)be a director (other than the managing director) of any company (other than the company of which he or she is the managing director) and which in terms of this section is entitled to conduct business as a pharmacist;

(b)be a member (other than the manager) of a close corporation (other than the close corporation of which he or she is the manager) and which in terms of section 36 is entitled to conduct business as a pharmacist;

(c)not in respect of

(i)the company referred to in paragraph (a) and of which he or she is not the managing director; or

(ii)the close corporation referred to in paragraph (b) and of which he or she is not the manager,

perform any act referred to in section 43(1)(b)(i) or (ii), or any other act of a similar nature, specially pertaining to the profession of a pharmacist.

(11)The managing director referred to in subsection (10) is responsible to the Council in respect of any act done by or on behalf of the company concerned and which may result in disciplinary action by the Council in terms of PART VI, unless that managing director satisfies the Council that the responsibility for such act does not rest upon himself or herself, but upon any other pharmacist employed by the company.

(12)If the company referred to in subsection (1) conducts, or desires to conduct, business as a community pharmacist, then notwithstanding anything in the Companies Act, 1973 -

(a)only natural persons who are pharmacists, may hold shares in, or have any interest in the shares of, such company;

(b)no voting rights, except in respect of a resolution enabling such company to -

(i)comply with this section; or

(ii)to dispose of its undertaking or assets or any part thereof,

attach to any share referred to in subsection (14);

(c)no person other than a shareholder in such company may be a director of such company;

(d)the name of such company, if such name consists of the name or names of natural persons, must consist of the name or names of any of the directors or former directors of such company or of persons who conducted, either for their own account or in partnership, any business as a pharmacist which may reasonably be regarded as a predecessor of the business as a pharmacist conducted by such company.

(13)The words “and associates” or “company” may be included in the name of a company referred to in subsection (12).

(14)In the event of any person referred to in subsection (12)(a) dying or ceasing to qualify to hold shares in the company concerned, that person or his or her estate, as the case may be, may hold or continue to hold, as the case may be, his or her shares in such company for a period of 12 months or for such longer period of time as the Council may determine.

(15)The holder of any shares referred to in subsection (14) is not entitled to receive any director’s fee or remuneration in respect of or deriving from such shares.

(16)No company, other than a company which complies with this section, may open, purchase, or otherwise acquire, a pharmacy in which the business of a community pharmacy is conducted.

(17)The Council may cancel the registration of a company granted in terms of this section and any certificate issued in respect of such registration, if -

(a)the managing director of such company ceases to comply with the requirements specified in subsection (9), or ceases to be the manager of the business as a pharmacist of such company or to act as such;

(b)after a professional conduct inquiry conducted in terms of PART VI, the Council finds that any director of such company has contravened a provision this Act;

(c)such company no longer complies with this section;

(d)such company has failed to notify the registrar in terms of subsection (20) of any change of its address, or has failed to notify the registrar of its present address within a period of three months from the date of a written request by the registrar by registered letter addressed to such company at the address appearing in the register in respect of such company;

(e)such company has requested in writing that its name be removed from the register;

(f)such company has failed to pay to the Council before or on 31 March of the year concerned the annual fee determined by the Council in respect of such registration;

(g)such company had been registered in error or in fraud to conduct such business as a pharmacist, or in circumstances not authorised by this Act.

(18)The reasons for a cancellation of a registration in terms of subsection (17) must be entered into the register as part of such cancellation.

(19)The registrar may in respect of a written request by a company in terms of subsection (17)(e) require the director of such company to lodge with the registrar an affidavit to the effect that no proceedings relating to any unprofessional conduct or to any criminal act has been instituted, or is likely to be instituted, against any director or any employee of such company.

(20)If a director ceases to hold office, or a new director is appointed, the company must within a period of 30 days from the date of such cessation or appointment notify the registrar of the name of the director who has ceased to hold office and of the name and address of the new director appointed to such company.

(21)Every company registered in terms of this section which changes its address must in writing and within a period of 30 days after such change notify the registrar of its new address.

(22)If the registration of a company is cancelled in terms of subsection (17), the registrar, or a person designated by the registrar for such purpose, must by notice in writing inform such company of, and the reasons for, such cancellation.

(23)A notice referred to in subsection (22) must be served either by prepaid registered letter addressed to the person referred to in that subsection at his or her postal address as it appears in the register concerned, or in the prescribed manner.

(24)From the date of service of a notice in terms of subsection (22), until such time as the name of the company concerned is restored to the register concerned -

(a)the registration certificate relating to such company is regarded to be withdrawn; and

(b)such company must cease to conduct business as a pharmacist, or to perform any act relating to such business.

(25)Any person who -

(a)contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of subsection (1), (12), (16) or (24)(b) is guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to the penalties specified in section 68(b);

(b)contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of subsection (19) or (20), or who refuses or fails to answer any written enquiry made by or on behalf of the Council as to the name of the managing director or any other director of, or any other person employed by, a company referred to in this section, is guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to the penalties specified in section 68(a).

(26)The Minister may prescribe, on the recommendation of the Council -

(a)additional requirements relating to the conducting of business as a community pharmacist by a private company;

(b)the requirements for the conducting of business as a wholesale pharmacist by a public company or by a private company registered and incorporated in terms of the Companies Act, 1973 (Act No. 61 of 1973), including -

(i)a definition of “business as a wholesale pharmacist”;

(ii)the procedures relating to the registration of such a company for the purpose of conducting such a business;

(iii)the conditions subject whereto such a business may be conducted; and

(iv)any exemptions from such registration.

[The Companies Act 61 of 1973 has been replaced by the Companies Act 28 of 2004.]

36. Close corporation conducting business as pharmacist

(1)Notwithstanding anything in this Act but subject to this section, no close corporation may conduct business as a community pharmacist, unless -

(a)such close corporation has been registered by the Council in terms of this Act to conduct such business;

(b)the manager of such close corporation complies with subsection (9); and

(c)the manager referred to in paragraph (b) continuously manages and controls the pharmacy business conducted by such close corporation, subject to the terms and conditions imposed by the Council when registering such close corporation in terms of paragraph (a).

(2)If the manager of a close corporation referred to in subsection (1)(c) for any reason ceases to be such manager, or ceases to manage and control the pharmacy business concerned, such close corporation may conduct, notwithstanding subsection (1), the business as a pharmacist for a period of time not exceeding 30 days from the date upon which such person ceases to be the manager of such close corporation, or to act as such, or ceases to manage and control such pharmacy business.

(3)A business as a pharmacist may be conducted in terms of subsection (2) -

(a)only if such business as a pharmacist is so conducted under the continuous management, supervision and control of a pharmacist; and

(b)subject to such other conditions as may be prescribed.

(4)Subject to the other provisions of this section, a close corporation desiring to conduct business as a pharmacist must apply to the Council, in the form and manner determined by the Council, for registration to conduct such business.