Role of pharmacist in civil services

Introduction

• Pharmacy services began in the country in 1951, with the implementation of the Registration of Pharmacist Act 1951, the Poisons Act 1952, and the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
• Prior to independence, the primary function was procuring, storing, and distributing drugs from the UK via Crown Agents.

Pharmacist in the Civil Service

• The title "Pegawai farmasi (Pharmacist)" was established.
• The Pharmaceutical Chemistry Division was officially formed in 1969 to meet the growing pharmaceutical needs.
• Previous titles included Ahli Kimia Ubat (Pharmaceutical Chemistry Superintendent) and Penguasa ahli kimia ubat (PAKU).

PPF KKM

• This is the Pharmaceutical Services Programme under the Ministry of Health (MOH).
• The roles include:
  • Leading the Pharmaceutical Services Division.
  • Managing the Secretariat for Lembaga Farmasi Malaysia, Lembaga Iklan Ubat, and Lembaga Racun.
  • Developing and implementing pharmaceutical policies in Malaysia.
  • Planning for staff needs.
  • Managing pharmacists and their services under the MOH.

Pharmacy Policy & Management

• Ensuring strategic plans and policies are implemented correctly.
• Ensuring proper allocation of human resources.
• Providing relevant and continuous training.
• Guaranteeing quality maintenance across all service levels.
• Managing financial matters according to rules and guidelines.
• Subsections include:
  • Human resource and career planning and distribution.
  • Continuous Professional Development (CPD) to improve competence and skill development.
  • National Medicines Policy (DUNAS): planning, coordinating, and monitoring of all activities. National Medicines Policy evaluation and review with stakeholder engagement.
  • Relations and innovation: coordinating quality management systems (KPI, QAP, 5S, and Client Charter), and implementing relevant IT-based training programmes for PSP members.

Malaysian National Medicines Policy (DUNAS)

• An official Malaysian government document.
• Defines and prioritizes medium- to long-term pharmaceutical sector goals.
• Strategies for improving health outcomes.
• Main objectives include providing equitable access to essential medicines, promoting rational use of safe, effective and affordable essential medicines of good quality.
• 8 Components: quality, safety, efficacy, drug affordability, and research and development.
• 2nd edition reviewed in October 2012.

Pharmacy Practice & Development

• Ensuring the quality of drug procurement and usage through effective practice.
• Aimed at improving pharmacy services in Malaysia to meet standards with other developed countries.
• Subsections include:
  • Clinical and Technical: planning and coordinating pharmaceutical care services (e.g., medication counseling, MTAC, clinical pharmacy services) in MOH facilities.
  • Formulary and Pharmacoeconomics: drug evaluation for formulary listing, using pharmacoeconomic principles.
  • Pharmaceutical Logistics: planning, coordinating, and managing procurement practices.
  • Medicine Prices: disseminating information on medicine pricing to consumers, providing recommended retail prices (RRP) reported by wholesalers.
  • Pharmacy Board: managing the application registration and deregistration for pharmacists and bodies corporates. Conducting the relevant exams for pharmacist registration. Improving and monitoring the quality of pharmaceutical services Division’s research and studies.
  • Quality Use of Medicines: educating the public on the appropriate use of medication to promote understanding and adherence to improve treatment outcomes.

Pharmacy Enforcement

• Securing that all pharmaceuticals, traditional medicines, and cosmetics in the market are genuine, through proper registration and notification.
• Subsections include:
  • Intelligence and Operation: conducting raids on premises selling unregistered products or un-notified cosmetics.
  • Licensing and Control: coordinating screening and inspection of imported products and controlled substances.
  • Legislation: Processing applications for special exemptions to import unregistered products from relevant sources.
  • Advertisement and Innovation: monitoring advertisements to ensure compliance with rules and regulations. Consumer awareness regarding registered products.

NPRA (National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency)

• Formerly known as the National Pharmaceutical Control Laboratory and the National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau (Biro Pengawalan Farmaseutikal Kebangsaan).
• Established in October 1978 under the Pharmacy and Supply Programme.
• Responsible for implementing quality control of pharmaceutical products.
• NPRA's Roles:
  • Registration of drugs and cosmetics.
  • Regulation of the pharmaceutical industry.
  • Licensing for manufacture, import, and wholesale of pharmaceutical products, including clinical trials.
  • Monitoring of adverse drug reactions.
  • Market surveillance of pharmaceuticals with random sampling and testing.
  • Providing quality control for drugs.
  • Operating the National Drug Information Centre.

Enforcement Division MOH

• Responsible for control at entry points (conducting surveillance and raids).
• Prosecutions related to unregistered, counterfeit, and adulterated products beginning in 1978.
• Inspections of records related to controlled substances.

Education

• Teaching responsibilities at public universities.

Research

• Conducting research at various research institutes.
• FRIM (Forest Research Institute), PORIM (Palm Oil Research Institute), IMR (Institute of Medical Research), SIRIM, and MINT (Malaysian Institute of Nuclear Technology).

Military

• Providing pharmacy services in war and disaster.
• Supplying medicine to soldiers in the field and jungle hospitals.

Hospital

• Pharmacist roles within hospitals services are omitted.

Advantages and Disadvantages

• Advantages: stable employment, healthcare benefits, scholarships and loans, service focus.
• Disadvantages: potential salary concerns, relatively slow career advancement, and transferring between locations.