Pharmacist – Lakeside, Benoni
Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited
Location: Benoni, Gauteng
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 28 April 2026
Closing Date: 27 May 2026
Industry: Pharmaceuticals / Retail Pharmacy
Division: Dispensary Category – Pharmacy
Functional Area: Pharmaceutical Care / Clinical Pharmacy Services
Experience Level: Entry Level (Professional Registered Pharmacist)
Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited is seeking a qualified and registered Pharmacist to join their Lakeside branch in Benoni. This role is central to ensuring safe, effective, and legally compliant pharmaceutical care within a retail pharmacy environment.
Pharmacists play a critical role in the healthcare system by acting as the final point of verification before medication reaches patients. They are responsible not only for dispensing medicines but also for evaluating prescriptions, ensuring patient safety, and providing professional guidance on medication use and disease management.
In a retail pharmacy setting such as Dis-Chem, the Pharmacist also serves as a key customer-facing healthcare professional, combining clinical knowledge with patient education, operational oversight, and regulatory compliance.
Role Purpose and Professional Responsibility
The primary purpose of this role is to ensure that all patients receive appropriate, safe, and effective pharmaceutical care tailored to their individual medicine-related needs.
The Pharmacist is legally and professionally accountable for all medications dispensed under their supervision. This includes verifying prescriptions, assessing therapy suitability, monitoring patient outcomes, and ensuring compliance with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) regulations and the Medicines and Related Substances Act.
This role requires a high level of clinical judgement, ethical responsibility, and attention to detail, as pharmacists directly influence patient health outcomes.
Key Responsibilities Explained in Detail
1. Pharmaceutical Care and Patient Safety
You will be responsible for evaluating and managing patients’ medicine-related needs. This involves ensuring that each prescription is appropriate, safe, and effective for the patient.
This includes:
- Assessing the indication for prescribed medication
- Checking dosage accuracy and safety
- Identifying potential drug interactions or contraindications
- Ensuring optimal therapeutic outcomes for patients
The goal is to ensure safe and effective treatment for every patient.
2. Prescription Management and Dispensing
You will oversee the dispensing of medicines prescribed by authorised healthcare practitioners.
This includes:
- Interpreting and verifying prescriptions
- Dispensing Schedule 1–6 medicines in compliance with regulations
- Checking and signing off all prescriptions prepared by assistants or interns
- Ensuring legal compliance with SAPC Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) standards
Accuracy in this process is critical to patient safety.
3. Clinical Evaluation and Therapy Monitoring
You will assess whether patients are responding appropriately to their medication and whether treatment goals are being achieved.
This includes:
- Monitoring patient adherence to therapy
- Conducting follow-ups where necessary
- Providing pharmacist-initiated therapy when appropriate
- Referring patients to healthcare facilities when required
This ensures continuous and effective patient care.
4. Patient Counselling and Education
A key part of your role is educating patients on the correct use of medication.
This includes:
- Providing clear instructions on dosage and administration
- Explaining possible side effects and drug interactions
- Advising on safe medicine usage
- Supporting self-medication guidance in the front shop
Patient education improves treatment adherence and outcomes.
5. Medical Aid and Administrative Processing
You will manage medical aid claims and ensure all pharmacy documentation is correctly completed.
This includes:
- Processing and submitting claims accurately
- Correcting rejected medical aid claims
- Ensuring authorisation for chronic, HIV, AIDS, and oncology medication
- Managing patient profiles and system updates
Proper administrative control ensures smooth reimbursement processes.
6. Stock Management and Pharmacy Operations
You will assist in maintaining proper stock control within the dispensary.
This includes:
- Monitoring stock levels and reporting shortages
- Ensuring correct storage and handling of medicines
- Participating in bi-annual stock takes
- Ensuring compliance with FEFO (First Expiry First Out) principles
Efficient stock management ensures availability of essential medicines.
7. Compliance and Legal Accountability
You will be responsible for ensuring full compliance with all regulatory requirements.
This includes:
- Adhering to SAPC regulations and Pharmacy Act requirements
- Following Dis-Chem policies and standard operating procedures
- Ensuring adherence to health and safety standards
- Maintaining proper documentation and records
Legal compliance is a core requirement of the profession.
8. Supervision and Leadership
You will supervise pharmacy assistants, interns, and support staff.
This includes:
- Signing off prescriptions prepared by support staff
- Providing training and mentorship
- Ensuring adherence to professional standards
- Leading by example in customer service and accuracy
Leadership is essential for maintaining operational excellence.
9. Customer Service and Front-Shop Support
You will assist patients at the dispensary and front shop, ensuring professional service delivery.
This includes:
- Advising on over-the-counter medicines
- Handling patient queries professionally
- Ensuring customer satisfaction and trust
- Maintaining confidentiality and ethical standards
Strong communication builds long-term patient relationships.
Minimum Requirements Explained
Grade 12 / Matric
Basic educational foundation required for tertiary studies.
BPharm or Equivalent Qualification (Essential)
A recognised pharmacy degree is mandatory.
SAPC Registration (Essential)
Must be registered with the South African Pharmacy Council to practice legally.
2–3 Years Pharmaceutical Experience
Experience in pharmacy operations or clinical pharmacy is required.
Retail Pharmacy Experience (Advantageous)
Exposure to retail or FMCG pharmacy environments is beneficial.
Computer Literacy (MS Office and Pharmacy Systems)
Ability to work with systems such as Unisolv or similar platforms.
Advantageous Skills and Experience
- SAP system experience
- E-scripting knowledge
- Experience in retail/FMCG pharmacy
- Third additional language proficiency
- Registered tutor status for mentoring interns
- Strong understanding of chronic, HIV, and oncology medication
These enhance both operational efficiency and patient service quality.
Key Competencies and Attributes
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Excellent communication and listening skills
- Strong clinical and numerical ability
- Problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Leadership and supervisory capability
- Time management and ability to work under pressure
- Trustworthiness and ethical conduct
- Team collaboration and professionalism
- Customer-focused mindset
Special Working Conditions
This role operates in a regulated retail pharmacy environment that requires:
- Working retail hours, including weekends and public holidays
- Standing for long periods during shifts
- Handling controlled medications and sensitive stock
- Working in secure, temperature-controlled environments
- Maintaining strict health and safety standards
- Clean criminal and credit record
A valid driver’s licence and reliable transport are also required.
Remuneration and Benefits
Dis-Chem Pharmacies offers a competitive remuneration package, which includes:
- Market-related salary
- Monthly and annual performance incentives
- Medical aid contributions
- Provident fund benefits
- Staff account discounts and benefits
Final Overview
The Pharmacist role at Dis-Chem Lakeside, Benoni is a highly responsible healthcare position that combines clinical expertise, patient care, and operational pharmacy management.
It is a critical role that ensures safe medication use, effective treatment outcomes, and compliance with national healthcare regulations.
For qualified pharmacists seeking to build a strong career in retail pharmacy, this role offers professional growth, hands-on patient interaction, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to community health and wellbeing.
