Challenges in Pharmacy Profession

Challenges to the Pharmacy Profession

• The pharmacy profession faces several challenges, including a shift in focus from the product to the patient.
• Pharmacists now need to consider patient outcomes, improving their quality of life. This was defined as the responsible provision of drug therapy to achieve these outcomes.
• Pharmacists collaborate with patients and other professionals to design, implement, and monitor a comprehensive therapeutic plan for each patient.
• Five key principles guide this approach: patient data collection, medical information evaluation, therapeutic plan formulation, plan implementation, and plan monitoring/modification.
• Malaysia's community pharmacists are not fully utilizing their potential in providing pharmaceutical care to the public.

Shift in Focus from Product to Patient (Continued)

• Pharmacists need training in new skills and must embrace continuous professional development.
• Specializations or certifications may be needed for certain areas of practice. Examples given include clinical pharmacokinetics, geriatric pharmacy, and diabetes/warfarin management.
• Pharmacists must work effectively with other healthcare professionals in a team-oriented approach for optimal patient care.
• This collaborative approach is essential for the continued survival and growth of the profession.

Biotechnology Products and Gene Therapy

• The manufacturing of biotechnology products and gene therapies requires new skills.
• These therapies are often highly effective but are also very expensive treatments.
• "Tailor-made" drugs and treatments are becoming more common.
• Treatments with antibodies and gene therapy are included in this.

Increase in Need for Good Quality Information

• Pharmacists need strong knowledge and evaluation abilities to provide unbiased information.
• Pharmacists must collaborate with practitioners of complementary medicines (herbal remedies) while maintaining professional integrity.
• The commercialization of information shouldn't unduly impact professional responsibilities in this area.

Use of Information Technology

• Information technology is crucial in modern pharmacy practice.
• Pharmacies use IT for research and storing data. This is used for providing pharmaceutical care, managing pharmacies, fulfilling legal requirements, and for reimbursement processes.
• IT can introduce innovation in pharmacy practice.

Dispensing Separation

• An agreement exists, incorporated into the National Medicines Policy, about dispensing separation.
• However, significant work still needs to be completed.
• Progress includes the need for better public understanding and acceptance of the pharmacist role, increased numbers of pharmacists, and effective distribution.
• The healthcare financing scheme needs improvement/review.

Changing Malaysian Healthcare Scenario

• National healthcare financing and workforce saturation are important factors.
• Increasing numbers of corporate pharmacy players is noted.
• The New Pharmacy Act and amendments to existing legislation and regulations have been implemented. (e.g. Poisons, Sale of Drugs, Medicines, and Registration of Pharmacists Acts)
• Recent government reports and relevant policies have been released.

Health White Paper

• The Health White Paper outlines four pillars relating to health service, advancements in prevention, ensuring equitable financing and strengthening the health system's foundations/governance.