Pharmacy programme in demand
AS part of the healthcare team, a pharmacist provides care for patients.
This care focuses on the patient from the perspective of drug therapy.
The pharmacist is responsible to identify, prevent and resolve patients’ drug therapy problems.
Pharmacists are “experts on medicines” and play an active role in the quality use of medicine in society.
Pharmacists have skills in the chemistry of the drugs, formulating medicines and the therapeutic use of drugs to treat diseases.
Every day, millions walk into drug stores and depend on pharmacists for assistance and advice on various healthcare needs.
Many pharmacists, on a daily basis, dispense medications to patients in accordance with doctor’s orders.
Part of their job responsibility includes consulting with patients on correct medication usage and the risks involved in consuming specific medications.
They also provide patients with information on home healthcare supplies and various other healthcare products.
Pharmacists may also be involved in the management and monitoring of the store or facility environment.
Pharmacy graduates have a wide range of career opportunities although the majority would enter the community pharmacy practice.
The hospital pharmacy also provides an interesting challenge for pharmacists, particularly in view of their expanding role within the clinical setting.
The pharmaceutical industry provides opportunities for pharmacists in the fields of sales and marketing, production, research and quality control.
The increased role of federal and provincial governments in public health has provided opportunities for pharmacists in analytical laboratories and in administrative positions as consultants, government inspectors and health officers.
Opportunities may also be available in universities as teachers and researchers.
Regarded as one of the most trusted professions in the world, this area of work is versatile and highly rewarding.
In recent years, it has also become one the most pursued fields in the healthcare industry.
At present, job prospects for pharmacists are bright since there is a shortage of pharmacists in both the public and private sectors in Malaysia.
Hence, there is a rising call for pharmacists to apply their knowledge and skills in patient care (community pharmacy and hospital), the pharmaceutical industry, research centres, regulatory affairs, marketing and academia among others.
Management & Science University (MSU) is offering both bachelor’s degree and diploma in pharmacy through the School of Pharmacy to complement the needs of pharmacists.
MSU was placed 217th among the top 1.8% of the best universities in the QS Asia Ranking 2018 and accorded the “Excellent Status University” on the national university-rating system Setara by the Higher Education Ministry.
The pharmacy programme is MSU’s effort to achieve a 1:2,000 pharmacist-patient ratio by 2020.
According to the Health Ministry’s statistics, the ratio of pharmacists per population in Malaysia in 2015 was recorded at 1:2,900.
MSU is committed to the best for its students by engaging extensively with industry experts to enhance faculty strength.
Their invaluable teaching adds to the various skills enhancement initiatives aimed at improving competitiveness in all MSUrians.
Other programmes offered under the School of Pharmacy are the Pharmaceutical Technology and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
■ For a full range and information on pharmacy courses or other programmes offered at MSU, call 03-5521 6868, e-mail enquiry@msu.edu. my, or visit www.msu.edu.my