Pharmacy Services in Malaysia

Study Notes

Pharmacy services began in the country in 1951, enforced by the Registration of Pharmacist Act 1951, Poisons Act 1952, and Dangerous Drugs Act 1952
Initially, the role of the pharmacy service was limited to procuring, storing, and distributing medicines from the United Kingdom via Crown Agents.
In 1969, the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Division was established to meet increased needs of pharmaceutical services. This changed the title from Ahli Kimia Ubat (Pharmaceutical Chemistry Superintendent) to Pegawai farmasi (Pharmacist) and Penguasa ahli kimia ubat (PAKU).

This program is responsible for implementing policies for pharmaceutical services in Malaysia
Oversees manpower requirements
Administers pharmacists and pharmaceutical services in the MOH
The activities of the program are carried out through three main activities:

Ensuring strategic plans and policies are implemented appropriately.
Effectively managing the distribution of human resources.
Providing relevant and continuous training opportunities.
Upholding quality systems across all service levels.
Administering financial and administrative matters according to rules and guidelines.
Planning and optimizing the placement and distribution of pharmacy staff.
Identifying, planning, and monitoring the continuous professional development (CPD) activities to improve the competency of pharmacy personnel.
Coordinating and monitoring the quality systems for pharmaceutical services.
Planning, coordinating, and implementing appropriate ICT related training for members of the program
Implementing the National Medicines Policy (DUNAS) including planning, coordinating, and monitoring all activities and their evaluation
Coordinating and monitoring quality systems like KPIs and QAP standards, adhering to 5S and innovative Client Charter
Managing pharmacy information.

Ensuring the quality of drug procurement and usage by following effective pharmacy practices to achieve global standards.
Planning, coordinating, and managing the development of procurement practices in various health institutions.
Conducting drug evaluations using pharmacoeconomic principles to determine inclusion in formularies.
Disseminating information regarding medicine prices to consumers.
Managing applications for registration and deregistration of pharmacists and bodies corporate.
Coordinating and conducting Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination for pharmacist registration.
Improving and monitoring the quality of studies and research at the Pharmaceutical Services Division level.
Educating members of the public regarding quality use of medicines to improve their knowledge, understanding, and promoting medication adherence and better treatment outcomes.

Ensuring only registered pharmaceuticals, traditional medicine, and cosmetics are available in the market.
Conducting raids on premises dealing in unregistered or unnotified products or cosmetics.
Coordinating and monitoring screening and inspection of imported products and controlled substances.
Processing applications for special exemptions to import unregistered products.
Monitoring and regulating advertisements to ensure they align with the existing regulations and legislations.
Coordinating and monitoring activities to increase consumer awareness regarding the use of registered products.

Formerly known as the National Pharmaceutical Control Laboratory and National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau
Established in October 1978 to implement quality control on pharmaceutical products through evaluation of technical data, laboratory analysis, research, and information gleaned from international agencies
Involved in the registration of drugs/cosmetics
Regulates the pharmaceutical industry, including licensing schemes for manufacture, import, and wholesale of medicines, as well as clinical trials.
Monitors adverse drug reactions and conducts market surveillance using random sampling and analytical tests to control quality.

Supervises and controls entry points to detect unregistered, counterfeit, and adulterated products.
Implements prosecutions related to controlled substances, beginning in 1978.
Conducts inspections of records from outlets dealing with controlled drugs and chemicals

Provides pharmacy services in war and disaster situations with uniformed or civilian pharmacists.
Supplies medicines to soldiers in the field (jungles, hospitals, etc.)

Advantages: Stable employment, benefits (healthcare, scholarships, loans), service-oriented career paths.
Disadvantages: Salary concerns, slower career advancement, potential for transfers.