Pharmacy Profession Challenges

Challenges to the Pharmacy Profession

• The pharmacy profession is facing several challenges
• A shift in focus from product to patient is needed
• Pharmaceutical care is defined as the responsible provision of drug therapy to improve patient quality of life
• Pharmacists should work with patients and other professionals to develop, implement, and monitor therapeutic plans
• This includes patient data collection, medical evaluation and formulating drug therapy plans
• There are 5 core principles of patient-centered care: data collection, medical information evaluation, drug therapy plan formulation, plan implementation, and plan monitoring and modification.
• Malaysia faces under-utilization of community pharmacists in providing pharmaceutical care to the public
• Training in new skills and life-long learning are essential for pharmacists
• Specialisation with credentialing/privileging validates clinical expertise, for both pharmacists and patients
• This includes specific practice areas such as clinical pharmacokinetics, geriatric pharmacy, and diabetes and warfarin management (MTAC)
• Conflicts and collaboration with other healthcare professionals are vital for patient care and the continued survival of pharmacies
• New skills in manufacturing "tailor-made" drugs and treatments with antibodies/gene therapy are emerging in biotechnology and gene therapy
• These treatments are highly effective, but also very costly
• There is a growing need for good-quality information for patients
• Pharmacists must be knowledgeable, unbiased, and evaluate information
• Integrating traditional, herbal, and complementary medicine while maintaining professional responsibility
• Information technology is a critical tool for pharmacists in managing pharmacies
• This includes using IT as a source of information, for pharmaceutical care delivery, fulfilling legal requirements, and for re-imbursement
• Dispensing separation needs agreement and implementation in the National Medicines Policy
• Public acceptance and distribution of pharmacists roles are concerns
• National healthcare financing schemes are necessary
• The Malaysian healthcare scenario is changing, with increased corporate players in retail pharmacies, and potential saturation of the workforce
• Recent legislative changes include a New Pharmacy Act, amendments to the Poisons Act, Sale of Drugs Act, and Medicines (Advertisement and Sale) Act, along with registration of pharmacists act.
• Government reports like MoH White Papers are shaping this healthcare sector

Health White Paper (Additional Information)

• The Health White Paper addresses several pillars:
  • Transforming Healthcare Service Delivery: Prioritising primary care, optimizing hospital services, leveraging partnerships, utilizing digital tools, and ensuring equitable access.
  • Advancing Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: Strengthening public health, inter-sectoral coordination, and incentivizing proactive health choices.
• Ensuring Sustainable and Equitable Health Financing: Investing in comprehensive services while ensuring affordability and efficiency.
• Strengthening the Health System's Foundations and Governance: Restructuring roles, reinforcing policies and regulations, building a strong health workforce, encouraging research and innovation, and utilizing evidence-based approaches.