Globally an estimated 33.4 million people were living with HIV/AIDS by 2008 (UNAIDS, 2009a:7). One of the main challenges facing the Republic of South Africa (RSA) today is the HIV/AIDS epidemic (NSP, 2007:17). By mid-year 2011 an estimated 5.38 million people (10.6% of the total population) were living with HIV/AIDS in the RSA (Statistics South Africa, 2011:2). Currently South Africa has the largest number of people enrolled in the Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment programme (HAART) in the world (WHO, 2008:59). The objective of this study was to determine retrospectively the medicine treatment patterns of HAART at a district hospital in the North West Province of South Africa. The study was conducted at Thusong hospital in the Ditsobotla sub-district of the North West Province of South Africa. A non-experimental, retrospective, cross-sectional, drug utilisation research methodology was used to obtain the data. The target population included patients of all ages who visited Thusong hospital pharmacy during the data collection period, which commenced on 01 February 2012 and ended on 31 March 2012. The data of three hundred and ninety nine (N=399) adult and one hundred and sixty one (N=161) paediatric patients on HAART were used. The adult female patients accounted for almost 70% (n=276, 69.17%) and the adult male patients for only 30% (n=123, 30.83%). The male paediatric patients represented just over 60% (n=97, 60.25%), whereas the female paediatric patients comprised less than 40% (n=64, 39.75%). The majority of adult patients were unmarried (n=323, 80.95%) and this group of patients were also the youngest group (μ=36.38 ± 8.98 years) on ARV treatment. Almost 86% (85.96%, n=343) of adult patients were registered as unemployed. Ninety two (n=92, 23.06%) adult patients and fifty eight (n=58, 36.03%) paediatric patients defaulted treatment during the defined period. The investigation into the adult medicine treatment patterns revealed that more than half (52.38%, n=209) of all the adult patients were receiving regimen 1atn (EFV, TDF and 3TC), followed by 20.80% (n=83) on regimen 1a (EFV, D4T and 3TC). Most paediatric patients (n=73, 45.34%) were on regimen P1c (EFV, D4T and 3TC) and the second most (n=45, 27.95%) were on regimen P1a (D4T, 3TC and LPV/r). The average weight of adult female patients was 57.18kg (± 15.78kg) and the average adult male patient weighed 55.87kg (± 10.17kg) on initiation of HAART. The average adult male patient was initiated on HAART with a CD4 count of 130cells/mm3 (± 99.45cells/mm3), while for adult female patients it was 160cells/mm3 (± 96.52cells/mm3). The average male child was initiated with a CD4 count of 509.1cells/mm3 and the average female paediatric patient with 477.3cells/mm3. The average viral load for adult female patients on initiation of HAART was 103046copies/mm3 (± 189146copies/mm3) and for adult male patients it was 416600copies/mm3 (± 439746copies/mm3). The difference between the viral load of adult female and male patients were described as statistically (p=0.0006) and practically (d=0.713) significant. The average viral load for female paediatric patients on initiation of HAART was 242207copies/mm3 (± 709133copies/mm3) and for male paediatric patients it was 329734copies/mm3 (± 674532copies/mm3). Adult patients that received HAART at more than 12 consultations revealed an average weight gain of 3.43kg (± 8.11kg) from initiation of treatment. This group also showed an average increase of 214.71cells/mm3 (± 248.24cells/mm3) in CD4 count and an average reduction in viral load of 170944copies/mm3 (± 191854.69copies/mm3) from the day they started HAART up to the last date of receiving treatment. The paediatric patients on treatment for more than 12 consultations showed an average weight gain of 6.56kg (± 3.75kg) from initiation of ARV treatmentup to the last date of receiving treatment. They also showed an average increase in CD4 count of 396.63cells/mm3 (± 594.53cells/mm3) and a very encouraging average decrease of 538369.37copies/mm3 (± 948634.46copies/mm3) in the viral load. / MPham (Pharmacy Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The contention of this study is that missiological cell group praxis is an appropriate vehicle to mobilize the local church for world evangelization - centrifugally reaching from "Jerusalem" and "Judea and Samaria" to the "ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Methodologically it follows the pastoral circle of Holland & Henriot and investigates the missiological praxis of various small faith communities. The principles of the cosmological framework of Calvisnism (Kuyper, Dooyeweerd) are brought to bear on the missionary endeavours of the local church, with reference to the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa. It argues for a missiologically integrated Cell Church, based on a definition of mission and evangelism, which is aimed at overcoming the fragmented missiological situation in mainline churches. This study argues that these small groups function as the basic cells of the local and universal Church, and shows how these communities come into existence and function as missiological outreach groups. / Christian Spirituality Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

Summaries in Afrikaans, English and German / Text in Afrikaans / 'n Ondersoek na die teologiese inhoud van die Evangeliese ; Gesange is geYnisieer nadat vasgestel is dat sodanige studie nog nie voorheen in Suid-Af rika in Geref ormeerde kringe onderneem is nie. Aangesien die geskiedenis en die f undering van die kerklied deur ander navorsers reeds volledig uitgewerk is, is hoofstuk 1 bloot 'n inleidende oorsig wat die agtergrond van die studie verskaf. In hoofstuk 2 is 'n kategorisering van die Gesange in extenso gedoen en in hoofstuk 3 is die inhoud van die kategoriee kortliks beskryf. Die doel hiermee is om vas te stel oor watter onderwerpe die meeste gesing word en waar die lakunes voorkom. Aan die hand van hierdie kategorisering is daar uiteindelik vyf onderwerpe afgebaken wat ooglopend Bybelsteologiese leemtes of selfs afwykings vertoon wat in die toekoms aangespreek behoort te word. Die onderwerpe is onderskeidelik: die Godsbeskouing, die skepping, die sonde, die doop en die toekomsverwagting. In hoof stuk 4 het hierdie onderwerpe af sonderlik ender die soeklig gekom. Daar is o.a. gevind dat die inhoud van die Gesange 'n duidelike reflektering is van die tradisionele kerkleer en dus nie volkome daartoe in staat is om die moderne mens (die jeug veral!) aan te spreek nie. Die gevolgtrekking waartoe die navorser geraak het, is dat liedere wat die eietyds geloofsproblematiek aanspreek 'n sine qua non geword het. Die navorsing oor die inhoud van die Gesange het voorts ook vreemde teologiese aksente uitgewys. So bv. is daar 'n duidelike invloed van die Grieks platonistiese dualisme te bespeur waar die Jenseitige teenoor die Diesseitige af gespeel word. Di t het veral aan die lig gekom met die bespreking oor die skepping. Eodem modo is daar spore van die Pietistiese individualisme in die Gesange aangetref waar die vertikale belewing met God (bekering, heiliging) die horisontale belewing van verantwoordelikheid, oorskadu! Hierdie sending, aanbevelings die godsdiens omgewingsbewaring) is in hoof stuk krities-waarderende opmerkings saamgevat. / Research into the theological content of the Evangelical Hymns was initiated after it was established that such a study had not been attempted in South Africa in Reformed circles. Since the history and grounding of the church hymn have already been discussed in full by other researchers, chapter 1 merely offers an introductory review which provides some background to the study. In chapter 2 a categorisation of the Hymns was done in extenso and chapter 3, in turn, deals with the contents of each specific category. The aim is to determine which subjects are prevalent in Hymns and which ones are not addressed at all. On the basis of this categorisation, five subjects were finally defined which revealed obvious biblical-theological lacunae, if not deviations, all of which need to be addressed in the future. The subjects are: the ways of thinking about God, the creation, sin, baptism and hopes for the future. In chapter 4 these subjects were examined in detail. It was proved, inter alia, that the contents of the Hymns clearly reflect the traditional church doctrine and consequently fail to a large extent to address modern man (especially the young people of our time). The conclusion reached by the researcher is that Hymns addressing the contemporary problematic nature of faith have become a sine qua non. Furthermore, research on the contents of the Hymns also revealed foreign theological accents such as clear influences of the Greek Platonistic dualism where the Jenseitige is compared to the Diesseitige. This became particularly evident in the discussion on the creation. Eodem modo traces of the Pietistic indiviudalism were detected in the Hymns, where the vertical experience of God (conversion, sanctification) completely overshadows the horizontal experience of religion (social responsibility, mission work, nature conservation)! Chapter 5 comprises these recommendations in the form of remarks of a criticalappreciation nature. / Eine Untersuchung in Bezug auf den theologischen Inhalt der Evangelischen Kirchenlieder wurde in die Wege geleitet nachdem festgestellt wurde, daB ein solches Studium noch nie vorhin in Ref ormierten Kreisen in Slidaf rika vorgenommen worden war. Da die Geschichte und die Fundierung des Kirchenliedes von andern Forschern schon in all en Einzelheiten ausgearbeitet worden sind, bietet Kapitel 1 bloB eine einleitende Ubersicht als Hintergrund flir das Studium. In Kapitel 2 wurden die Kirchenlieder in extenso nach Kategorien geordnet und in Kapitel 3 findet sich der Inhalt jeder einzelnen Kategorie vor. Es sollte festgestellt werden, welche Themen sich am meisten in den Kirchenliedern erkennen lassen und welche liberhaupt nicht berlihrt werden. An Hand dieser Anordnung in Kategorien wurden zum Schluss flinf Themen definiert, die augenfiillig biblisch-theologische Lucken, wenn nicht sogar Abweichungen, offenbaren; es sind Themen, denen in der Zukunft zweifellos einem gerechten Platz Gottesauffassung, die zukommen sollen. Die themen sind: Schopfung, Siinde, die Taufe und Zukunftserwartungen. In Kapitel 4 wurden diese Themen in allen Einzelheiten untersucht. Es stellte sich unter anderern heraus, das der Inhalt der Kirchenlieder eine klare Widerspiegelung der traditionellen Kirchenlehre ist und deshalb den Ansprilchen des modernen Menschen (vor allern der Jugend) nicht vollig gerecht werden konnen. Die schluflfolgerung des Forschers ist deshalb, das Lieder, welche den zeitgenossischen Glaubensproblernatik berilhren, eine sine qua non geworden sind. Die Forschung in Bezug auf den Inhalt der Kirchenlieder offenbarte weiterhin auch fremde theologische Akzente. Es laflt sich zurn Beispiel einen deutlichen Einfluss des griechisch-platonistischen Dualismus aufweisen wo das Jenseitige dern Diesseitigen gegenilbergestellt wird. Es wurde besonders deutlich in der Diskussion Uber die Schopfung. Eodem modo offenbarte sich Spuren eines pietistischen Individualismus in den Liedern wo das vertikale Gotteserlebnis (Bekehrung, Heiligung) das horizontale Erlebnis der Religion (soziale Verantwortung, Missionsarbeit, Naturbewahrung) vollig in den Schatten stelltl Diese Ernpfehlungen wurden in Kapitel 5 in der Form kritisch-bewertenden Anrnerkungen zusanunengefasst. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Systematic Theology)

Thesis (DPhil (Social Work))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The policy statements of South Africa stipulate that students of social work have to be led in an interactive way during teaching and learning in order to prepare them for their career, but also to attain the outcomes of the current tertiary education system of South Africa. These outcomes have, among others, the purpose of empowering students to develop into critical thinkers. During the mentioned teaching and learning process students are given the opportunity of bringing their own diverse frames of reference and experiences to the learning situation and share with one another. Because different inputs are accommodated in the teaching- and learning process, students get the opportunity to appreciate their own diversity, that of their fellow students, as well as the diversity of society. Students can consciously reflect on this and so doing understand theory better and eventually integrate it. Lecturers in social work are not necessarily prepared and equipped to teach effectively within the mentioned context. Although teaching and learning in social work is unique, the effectiveness of the process of teaching and learning depends on the implementation of a suitable teaching style by the lecturer, as well as the fitting of this style to the particular learning style of the students by which empowering teaching and learning is facilitated. In this research, the Huguenot College, Wellington was used as a case study to critically study the application of interactive teaching and learning. A combined qualitative and quantitative research method was used to involve the final year students in social work in an exploratory study. Eight principal themes, including the traditional Christian character of the Huguenot College and the preferred method of study of the students were researched. Significant findings of this study indicate that: • The students in social work at the Huguenot College are of the opinion that the Christian character of this institute should be preserved to play a role in teaching and learning and that the appropriate accommodation of the diverse spiritual needs of the students augments the effectiveness of the teaching and learning process. • The students in social work at the Huguenot College prefer to study according to a combination of the Assimilative Study Method (observe-and-think) and the Convergent Study Method (think-and-do). These two learning styles correspond with the expectations of the outcomes based education system, according to which, among others, students are expected to be critical thinkers in effective teaching and learning. • Lecturers in social work impair the effective handling of diversity during teaching and learning because class discussions on sensitive issues are ignored and the lecturers do not demonstrate adequate knowledge and understanding of the differences among students in a diverse context. In conclusion the recommendations of this study are given as guidelines for lecturers in social work in order to optimize interactive teaching and learning. The most important recommendations resulting from this study indicate that: • The most relevant and appropriate way in which the Christian character of the Huguenot College can be accommodated has to be examined and implemented and the Christian church communities have to become involved in an appropriate way as co-role players in the teaching and learning of prospective social workers. • The course of the historic events at the Huguenot College must be utilized to stimulate the critical thinking process of the students. • Lecturers in social work must make a concerted effort to increase interactive teaching and learning in social work by, for example, fitting the unique learning styles of the students to appropriate teaching styles in a creative way with the view to optimizing the teaching and learning process.

The history of the mining industry indicates a lack of understanding among the decision-makers of the impact the closure of mines has on the industry and the associated effects on the society and surrounding environment. The policies of the mining industry do make provision for a planned mine closure, but not for an unexpected closure. This detrimental aspect of closures in the mining industry is highlighted in the present study. The present study investigates how mineworkers’ dependency on their employment at a mine affects their ability to sustain their livelihoods. Vulnerable livelihoods leave the community at a greater risk to be affected by a disaster, than the livelihoods of a community that is resilient and has sustainable resources. Even though mineworkers are not considered as poor at the time of their employment, a mine closure could render them into a status called ‘transitional poverty’. This study also highlights that mineworkers who are skilled for mining operations only do not overcome the status of ‘transitional poverty’ and hence enter a phase called ‘chronic poverty’. This stage constitutes their inability to negotiate livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes that could sustain a household. Thus humanitarian assistance would be needed from outside sources. Planning for unexpected mine closures should also be on the agenda of the mining industry due to the extreme consequences such an event holds for the mining community experiencing the event. In the case under investigation, the unexpected mine closures occurred in the Grootvlei mine in Springs and the Orkney mine owned by the Aurora Empowerment Systems Ltd. at the time of this study. These closures left the surrounding communities in need of food, shelter and clean water. The inhabitants gradually lost their livelihood assets. A contingency planning model is proposed at the end of this study to address the short-term and long-term consequences of an unexpected mine closure. / M Development and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Social Impact Assessment (SIA) identifies the intended and unintended impacts that proposed projects or developments are likely to have on a community or individuals and suggest mitigation measures to prevent these impacts and enhance the positive impacts. The main aim of this dissertation is to explore the significance and the status of SIA in a South African context. EIA is currently in its third era of mandatory practice and with an increasing number of SIAs, it is essential that the practice of SIA should be investigated. The aim of this dissertation was firstly reached by exploring the perspectives of SIA practitioners in South Africa through a questionnaire. The practitioners’ perspectives showed that despite distinct weaknesses in the practice of SIA, i.e. the lack of a fixed set of guidelines and a shortage of SIA skill in the practitioner community, SIA practice has improved since 1997 with the promulgation of ECA, although there is still room for improvement. Secondly a quality review was conducted on a sample of SIARs in South Africa using an adapted review package. The results revealed relatively weak report quality compared to EIA report quality, but with an improvement, in report quality since 1997. The quality review findings appear to confirm the perspectives of the practitioners regarding the state of SIA practice in South Africa. Despite the weaknesses in the SIA process, it appears that the SIA practitioner community is driven by best practice considerations, and that SIA practice is in line with international trends. It appears therefore that despite the observed weaknesses, SIA practice in South Africa is relatively healthy. It is recommended that instead of seeking to strengthen SIA practice by means of regulation and guidelines, SIA practitioners should rather ensure that SIA delivers what it is intended to deliver by ongoing pursuance of best practice, and by improved training and skills development. / Thesis (MSc (Geography and Environmental Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Pharmaceutical care can be defined as “the care that a given patient requires and receives which assures safe and rational drug usage” (Mikael et al., 1975:567). The supply of medication is an important link in the health care chain, and the supply of chronic medication specifically was reviewed in this study. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2008d) states that chronic disease and related deaths are increasing in low- and middle-income countries, causing 39% and 72% of all deaths in low- and middle-income countries respectively. The main objective of this study was to investigate the difference between chronic medication prescribing patterns and subsequent claiming patterns for community (retail) and mail order (courier) pharmacies in the South African private health care sector. Computerized claims data for the period 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2010 were extracted from the database of a South African pharmaceutical benefit management company. The chronic database consisted of 6 191 147 prescriptions (N = 17 706 524), 14 045 546 items (N = 42 176 768) at a total cost of R2 126 516 154.00 (N = R4 969 436 580.88). A quantitative, retrospective, cross-sectional drug utilisation review was conducted, and data were analysed using the Statistical Analysis System® programme. Various providers of chronic medication were analysed, namely dispensing doctors, dispensing specialists, courier pharmacies and retail pharmacies. Chronic medication represented 34.97% of all medication prescribed. Retail pharmacies dispensed 79% of this chronic medication (n = 2 441 613 items) and courier pharmacies 19% (n = 610 964 items). Courier pharmacies dispensed 1 147 687 prescriptions containing chronic medication and retail pharmacies dispensed 4 900 282. The average cost per prescription for chronic medication at retail pharmacies was R325.43 ± R425.74 (2009) and R335.10 ± R449.84 (2010), and that of courier pharmacies was R398.56 ± R937.61 in 2009 and R436.57 ± R1199.46 in 2010. The top-five chronic medication groups dispensed by both these pharmacy types were selected according to the number of unique patients utilising these medications for at least four consecutive months. The most utilised chronic medication groups were ACE inhibitors (n = 1 611 432), statins (n = 1 449 732), diuretics (n = 962 670), thyroid medication (n = 885 891) and oral antidiabetics (n = 696 631). The average medication possession ratio for retail pharmacies indicated that, on average, statins, diuretics, thyroid medication and oral antidiabetics were undersupplied by retail pharmacies. Courier pharmacies tended to oversupply more often than retail pharmacies, with the cost of oversupplied medication ranging from 9% to 11% of total courier pharmacy medication costs. The average chronic prescription, item and levy cost did not vary significantly between courier and retail pharmacies. This indicates that the relative cost of acquiring chronic medication is similar at retail and courier pharmacy. The medication possession ratios of the top-five chronic medication groups, however, did differ significantly. In order to choose the most appropriate provider, the medical scheme provider needs to consider the over- and undersupply of medication. Oversupply may lead to unnecessary costs whilst undersupply may lead to future noncompliance and associated health problems. The costs associated with undersupply of medication in the South African health care sector need further investigation. / PhD (Pharmacy Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The history of the mining industry indicates a lack of understanding among the decision-makers of the impact the closure of mines has on the industry and the associated effects on the society and surrounding environment. The policies of the mining industry do make provision for a planned mine closure, but not for an unexpected closure. This detrimental aspect of closures in the mining industry is highlighted in the present study. The present study investigates how mineworkers’ dependency on their employment at a mine affects their ability to sustain their livelihoods. Vulnerable livelihoods leave the community at a greater risk to be affected by a disaster, than the livelihoods of a community that is resilient and has sustainable resources. Even though mineworkers are not considered as poor at the time of their employment, a mine closure could render them into a status called ‘transitional poverty’. This study also highlights that mineworkers who are skilled for mining operations only do not overcome the status of ‘transitional poverty’ and hence enter a phase called ‘chronic poverty’. This stage constitutes their inability to negotiate livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes that could sustain a household. Thus humanitarian assistance would be needed from outside sources. Planning for unexpected mine closures should also be on the agenda of the mining industry due to the extreme consequences such an event holds for the mining community experiencing the event. In the case under investigation, the unexpected mine closures occurred in the Grootvlei mine in Springs and the Orkney mine owned by the Aurora Empowerment Systems Ltd. at the time of this study. These closures left the surrounding communities in need of food, shelter and clean water. The inhabitants gradually lost their livelihood assets. A contingency planning model is proposed at the end of this study to address the short-term and long-term consequences of an unexpected mine closure. / M Development and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Social Impact Assessment (SIA) identifies the intended and unintended impacts that proposed projects or developments are likely to have on a community or individuals and suggest mitigation measures to prevent these impacts and enhance the positive impacts. The main aim of this dissertation is to explore the significance and the status of SIA in a South African context. EIA is currently in its third era of mandatory practice and with an increasing number of SIAs, it is essential that the practice of SIA should be investigated. The aim of this dissertation was firstly reached by exploring the perspectives of SIA practitioners in South Africa through a questionnaire. The practitioners’ perspectives showed that despite distinct weaknesses in the practice of SIA, i.e. the lack of a fixed set of guidelines and a shortage of SIA skill in the practitioner community, SIA practice has improved since 1997 with the promulgation of ECA, although there is still room for improvement. Secondly a quality review was conducted on a sample of SIARs in South Africa using an adapted review package. The results revealed relatively weak report quality compared to EIA report quality, but with an improvement, in report quality since 1997. The quality review findings appear to confirm the perspectives of the practitioners regarding the state of SIA practice in South Africa. Despite the weaknesses in the SIA process, it appears that the SIA practitioner community is driven by best practice considerations, and that SIA practice is in line with international trends. It appears therefore that despite the observed weaknesses, SIA practice in South Africa is relatively healthy. It is recommended that instead of seeking to strengthen SIA practice by means of regulation and guidelines, SIA practitioners should rather ensure that SIA delivers what it is intended to deliver by ongoing pursuance of best practice, and by improved training and skills development. / Thesis (MSc (Geography and Environmental Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Pharmaceutical care can be defined as “the care that a given patient requires and receives which assures safe and rational drug usage” (Mikael et al., 1975:567). The supply of medication is an important link in the health care chain, and the supply of chronic medication specifically was reviewed in this study. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2008d) states that chronic disease and related deaths are increasing in low- and middle-income countries, causing 39% and 72% of all deaths in low- and middle-income countries respectively. The main objective of this study was to investigate the difference between chronic medication prescribing patterns and subsequent claiming patterns for community (retail) and mail order (courier) pharmacies in the South African private health care sector. Computerized claims data for the period 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2010 were extracted from the database of a South African pharmaceutical benefit management company. The chronic database consisted of 6 191 147 prescriptions (N = 17 706 524), 14 045 546 items (N = 42 176 768) at a total cost of R2 126 516 154.00 (N = R4 969 436 580.88). A quantitative, retrospective, cross-sectional drug utilisation review was conducted, and data were analysed using the Statistical Analysis System® programme. Various providers of chronic medication were analysed, namely dispensing doctors, dispensing specialists, courier pharmacies and retail pharmacies. Chronic medication represented 34.97% of all medication prescribed. Retail pharmacies dispensed 79% of this chronic medication (n = 2 441 613 items) and courier pharmacies 19% (n = 610 964 items). Courier pharmacies dispensed 1 147 687 prescriptions containing chronic medication and retail pharmacies dispensed 4 900 282. The average cost per prescription for chronic medication at retail pharmacies was R325.43 ± R425.74 (2009) and R335.10 ± R449.84 (2010), and that of courier pharmacies was R398.56 ± R937.61 in 2009 and R436.57 ± R1199.46 in 2010. The top-five chronic medication groups dispensed by both these pharmacy types were selected according to the number of unique patients utilising these medications for at least four consecutive months. The most utilised chronic medication groups were ACE inhibitors (n = 1 611 432), statins (n = 1 449 732), diuretics (n = 962 670), thyroid medication (n = 885 891) and oral antidiabetics (n = 696 631). The average medication possession ratio for retail pharmacies indicated that, on average, statins, diuretics, thyroid medication and oral antidiabetics were undersupplied by retail pharmacies. Courier pharmacies tended to oversupply more often than retail pharmacies, with the cost of oversupplied medication ranging from 9% to 11% of total courier pharmacy medication costs. The average chronic prescription, item and levy cost did not vary significantly between courier and retail pharmacies. This indicates that the relative cost of acquiring chronic medication is similar at retail and courier pharmacy. The medication possession ratios of the top-five chronic medication groups, however, did differ significantly. In order to choose the most appropriate provider, the medical scheme provider needs to consider the over- and undersupply of medication. Oversupply may lead to unnecessary costs whilst undersupply may lead to future noncompliance and associated health problems. The costs associated with undersupply of medication in the South African health care sector need further investigation. / PhD (Pharmacy Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014