O F F I C I A L V I S I T O F

M A L AY S I A N P H A R M A C Y S T U D E N T S ’ A SS O C I AT I O N ( M Y P S A )

T O T H E O F F I C E O F

S E N I O R D I R E C T O R O F P H A R M A C Y S E RV I C E S D E PA R T M E N T, D AT O ’ E I S A H A . R A H M A N

& S E N I O R O F F I C E R S O F

P H A R M A C E U T I C A L S E RV I C E S D E PA R T M E N T ( P S D ) , L E M B A G A FA R M A S I M A L AY S I A ( L F M ) & N AT I O N A L P H A R M A C E U T I C A L C O N T R O L

B U R E A U

Discussion & Dialogue on Recent Pharmacy-related Issues

Date: 9th February 2012 Venue: Dewan Serai Wangi, Lembaga Farmasi Malaysia

For Members of Malaysian Pharmacy Students’ Association (MyPSA) only

MyPSA

Official MyPSA Website (still under updates) http://www.mypsa-mps.org

MyPSA Facebook Group – constant updates regarding MyPSA http://www.facebook.com/groups/MyPSA

MyPSA Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/MyPSApage

O F F I C I A L V I S I T O F

M A L AY S I A N P H A R M A C Y S T U D E N T S ’ A SS O C I AT I O N ( M Y P S A )

T O T H E O F F I C E O F

S E N I O R D I R E C T O R O F P H A R M A C Y S E RV I C E S D E PA R T M E N T, D AT O ’ E I S A H A . R A H M A N

& S E N I O R O F F I C E R S O F

P H A R M A C E U T I C A L S E RV I C E S D E PA R T M E N T ( P S D ) , L E M B A G A FA R M A S I M A L AY S I A ( L F M ) & N AT I O N A L P H A R M A C E U T I C A L C O N T R O L

B U R E A U

Discussion & Dialogue on Recent Pharmacy-related Issues

Date: 9th February 2012 Venue: Dewan Serai Wangi, Lembaga Farmasi Malaysia

ParticipantPharmaceutical Services Department

Yg.Bhg.Dato' Eisah A.Rahman Senior Director of

Pharmaceutical Services Department

En.Mohd.Hatta bin Ahmad Director of Pharmacy

EnforcementDr. Tajuddin bin Akasah

Acting-Director of National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau

Dr.Nour Hanah Othman Deputy Director, Policy &

Pharmacy Management

En.Azman bin Yahya Deputy Director, Pharmacy

Board cum Secretary of Pharmacy Board

Pn. Abida Haq S.M. Haq Deputy Director, Clinical &

Technical PharmacyPn.Salwati Abd.Kadir

Secretariat of Pharmacy Board, Pharmacy Practice & Development

Pn.Hani bt.Abdullah Secretariat of Pharmacy

Board, Pharmacy Practice & Development

Participant (MyPSA)

All MyPSA Executive Committee 2011/2012Representative from MyPSA Executive

Committee 2010/2011President/Representative from IPTA/IPTS

Universiti Malaya Universiti Sains Malaysia Masterskill University College of Health Sciences Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences Monash University (Sunway Campus) Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)

Tentative

3.00 pm Opening remarks by

Chairperson of the meeting Introduction of all

participants from PSD, MyPSA and all IPTA/IPTS Presidents & Representatives

3.15 pm Speech & Perutusan from

Yg Bhg Dato’ Eisah A. Rahman

4.00 pm Presentation about MyPSA

by Fakarul Radzi

4.15 pm Explanation of issues

brought by MyPSA to PSD, Pharmacy Board & BPFK by: Dato’ Eisah A. Rahman En. Mohd Hatta bin Ahmad Dr. Nour Hanah Othman Dr. Tajuddin bin Akasah En Azman bin Yahya Pn. Abida Haq S.M. Haq

5.00 pm End of dialogue session Souvenir giving ceremony Photography Session Tea break

FROM

DATO’ EISAH A. RAHMANSENIOR DIRECTOR OF PHARMACEUTICAL

SERVICES, MINISTRY OF HEALTH MALAYSIA

Speech & Perutusan

Speech & Perutusan

Up until 31st January 2012 – 9047 pharmacists registered with Pharmacy Board 60% in public sector

Pharmacy Board registered 908 companies 17 IPT allowed to offer bachelor of pharmacy – 10

with full accreditationPSD through Pharmacy Board still receives

application from IPTS wanting to offer bachelor of pharmacy High demand from students to enter pharmacy due to

attractive career path However, PSD is strict in terms of accreditation & evaluation

Speech & Perutusan

In the process of formulating a new Pharmacy Act Hope to be tabled at Parliament on March 2012 To strengthen & combine the existing acts (e.g. Poison Acts,

Pharmacist Registration Acts, Drug Sales Act, etc.) Increase effectiveness, integrity & law enforcement Could be used to avoid pharmacists from involving in

misconduct & irresponsible activitiesPharmacy Board (PB) secretariat listing of Pembantu

Pegawai Farmasi (PPF) Originally they fall under allied health, but PPF choose to be

under PB PB will be responsible for monitoring & accreditation of IPT

offering Diploma of Pharmacy 33 IPT offering Diploma of Pharmacy – 6 with full accreditation

Speech & Perutusan

Change of compulsory service from 1+3 to 1+1 Approved by Minister on September 2011 – announced in mainstream

mediaPRP & FRP training in private sector – under discussion in

terms of implementation Positive response However, commitment in the 1st year is still low due to some issues need

to be consideredTraining in community pharmacy, private hospitals,

pharmaceutical industry & IPTA/IPTS Starting next year, the number of PRP to be accepted by private hospitals

will be encouragingLiberalization of PRP training to be completed by July 2012

To accrediting community pharmacy for PRP trainingSuggestion to change from ‘Lembaga Farmasi Malaysia’ to

‘Majlis Farmasi Malaysia’

Speech & Perutusan

Received emails from graduated students regarding placement Regret that this problem should arise Happened not just to pharmacy, but also to medical

students Problem with the new system of public service Need to hold the placement – by Public Service

Department Personal opinion, should proceed with placement, the

other issues (e.g. salary) could be settled on the way

Speech & Perutusan

With 17 local IPTA/IPTS & other universities abroad, all are producing almost 1000 new pharmacist each year Government need to create 1000 new posts every year On the start of compulsory services, estimated 30% of

pharmacists will leave government sector Turns out less than 10% is leaving each year Number of pharmacists in government sector increases

each year to reach bottleneck situation Reason – with the flexibility given to government

pharmacists, they are happy to remain in public service – lead to less pharmacists leaving public sector

Speech & Perutusan

2011 is a busy year with new developments & achievements for pharmacy services

2012 – proceed with planning & implementation of 1Care for 1Malaysia

Fighting for dispensing separation Tightly gripped by doctors, especially GPs Reluctant to let only pharmacists do the dispensing Challenge is taken by all related parties e.g. MPS Government & JPA are implementing many initiatives

that involves pharmacists

Speech & Perutusan

PSD were asked to review the proposal of outsourcing of dispensing through privatization of patient services Still under review A lot of options to be considered

GTP & EPP (especially EPP 3) involved pharmacy sector directly Government support & encourage the development of

pharmaceutical sector especially generic drugs For local or international supply

Pharmacy students career Unless graduates choose to sit back home, the job

opportunities is always available

BY:

DATO’ EISAH A. RAHMANEN. MOHD HATTA BIN AHMAD

DR. NOUR HANAH OTHMANDR. TAJUDDIN BIN AKASAH

EN AZMAN BIN YAHYAPN. ABIDA HAQ S.M. HAQ

Explanation of issues brought by MyPSA

Change of Compulsory Service from 1+3 to 1+1

Starting 15 Sept 2012 – upon approval of Cabinets Pharmacy graduates will undergo 1 year PRP training & 1 year FRP

service Both 2 years at the same place – either in public or private sector To balance actual national needs of pharmacists (in both public & private

institution) If graduates choose to be in private sector, upon completion

of 1+1, can choose to leave or stay 1+1 in government sector – upon appointment by SPA Re-appointment by SPA will require candidates to be re-

interviewed JPA Scholarship Holder

Still bonded to government for 6 years If choose to leave public sector, it is upon personal effort to discuss with

JPA MARA Loan

Not bonded like in JPA Scholarship Holder Up to candidate to choose which sector after 1+1

Too many pharmacists in Malaysia?

2012 – more than 9000 registered pharmacists in Malaysia

Malaysia haven’t reach 1:2000 (1 pharmacists to 2000 citizens) as WHO Guidelines

In 2012, the ratio is 1:2865By 2016, Malaysia would achieve WHO

Guidelines – based on number of pharmacy graduates produced each year

Figure above includes public & private sector

Abolishment of Critical Allowances (CA)

CA is not a permanent allowanceStarted given by government in 2006 – previously not

givenCA offered to few professions (e.g. medical, dentistry,

pharmacy and others) which is considered critical Based on criteria set up by JPA Doesn’t depends on the availability of compulsory services in the

professionsHowever, abolishment of CA will need review on the

original purpose of introducing CA into the professionPharmacists worth of CA – appreciate pharmacists

having shifts, ready at clinic, 24 hours services, including managing methadone therapy every day include public holiday

PRP Placement Based on Academic Results

PRP is appointed into public service after interview by SPA

PRP placement is done depending on the needs of the service in public sector

Does not depends on academic results only A lot of other criteria being looked upon interview by SPA

& Pharmacy board Includes general knowledge, attire, etc.

Academic results one of the criteria, but its not solely on that Seeking not only high academic public officers, but also in

terms of integrity & other valuable qualities for an officer

Limitation of ‘A’ License Holder if Clinical Placement is Limited

NoCurrent law states ‘A’ license could be given to any registered

pharmacists Both PRP & FRP are considered registered pharmacists

‘A’ license to a PRP is a considered suggestion Liberalization of PRP training – PSD need to consider incentive for the

private sector hiring PRP into their facility If PRP cannot execute a pharmacist with ‘A’ license job thus helping out the

trainer pharmacists, it might burden the trainer Not yet a policy of PSD, but PSD will look into this option

Discussion & decision on this will be made by PSD/LFMCurrent requirement (pre-requisite) for PRP to receive ‘A’

license-need to have appraisal during PRP & pass forensic exams

Under new act, ‘A’ license will be abolished and changed into Practice Certificate

Still under transition process.

Change of Forensic Exam to Licensing Exam

Licensing exam is employed in UK, Taiwan, Australia, etc.Doesn’t limit just to forensic papers, but also into

pharmacy practice and other aspectsMalaysia is yet to go to licensing examsWill be employed when:

No specific universities are recognized by LFM With global & liberalized world, students might went to any

universities, and need to sit for licensing exams before allowed to practice

However, the policy for pharmacy students need to e viewed together with medical & dentistry students The suggestion have been tabled to the Cabinets, but due to reasons,

its not passed Hard to pass only for pharmacy students and not to other healthcare

students

Placement of PRP into Private Sector

Liberalization plan of PRP training – expected to commence on July 2012 (70% in Government facility, 30% in Private facility)

Options for private sector: Patient facing sector

Option 1: 52 weeks in Community Pharmacy Option 2: 52 weeks in Private Hospital (allowed to have 12

weeks of clinical attachment at government hospital) Non-patient facing sector

Option 3: 52 weeks in Pharmaceutical Industry/GMP Option 4: 52 weeks in IPTA for R&D works (allowed to

have 12 weeks of clinical attachment at government hospital)

Placement of PRP into Private Sector

For 1st year of implementation, only 68 placement available in private sector In private hospital & pharmaceutical industry

In private – PRP are paid & considered as private institution staffs Starting salary will be similar to government basic pay Plus 12% EPF scheme and other emoluments & incentives by

institution Without critical allowance – private sector didn’t have such system

As pre-requisite for FRP registrationStill under pre-implementation stageInterview will be done by staffs of the private sector, not

SPA

SBPA – Increase salary of PRP or reduced to allowances?

PRP will receive increase of payment according to UF 1-1 level apart from receiving permanent allowance & CA

With the new system, maybe small increment of salary, around few hundreds

Not changed to allowanceWorth to note, salary increment in

government is not as lucrative as in private sector

Placement of PRP based on IPTA/IPTS

NoLiberalization plan – 70% in government

while 30% in private sectorJPA Scholarship holder will be public servant

with placement in government sectorNext year – private sector readiness for PRP

placement will increase Community pharmacy will be accredited &

benchmarked for PRP training Around 500 placement commitment by community

pharmacy

Students from Diploma of Pharmacy are not allowed for credit transfer

Government policyStudents from diploma who ventured into

pharmacy/medical/dentistry field will not be allowed to transfer credit

Critical courses

Moratorium of schools of pharmacy

NoMoratorium will not happen to the current

school/faculty of pharmacy

Standardization of curriculum for pharmacist training

Training of PRP is done using PRP Log Book as instructed by LFM

Must achieve no less than 60% at each section

Soft skill components will be added into the current 9 modules

9 modules: • Ward Pharmacy Practice • Out-Patient Pharmacy

Services • In-Patient Pharmacy

Services • Clinical Pharmacokinetics

Services • Oncology Pharmacy

Services • Parenteral

Nutrition/Intravenous Additive Services

• Drug and Poison Information Services

• Manufacturing and repacking

• Inventory Control and Management

Current status of Dispensing Separation

Dispensing separation have been practiced in all MOH facilities, in-patient & out-patient in all private hospitals

Only GPs still dispense medications to their patients: Charge of their consultation fees is quite low (some until RM5) Selling & dispensing drugs to patient give profits Need to protect their source of income

1Care for 1Malaysia – dispensing separation & professional fees for GPs

Patient from GPs are allowed to just take prescription from GPs & refer to pharmacy for drugs

Current status of Dispensing Separation

Steps taken to get ready for dispensing separation: Geo-mapping of pharmacies in Malaysia Benchmarking & credentialing of community pharmacy

Distribution of pharmacies compared to clinics & hospital is known Patient know where to get the drugs if dispensing

separation startedQuality of service of pharmacies is standardized

Pharmacists also could provide value-added services to their pharmacy

More than just dispensing – e.g. good PR & personal touch – patient will be attracted to pharmacy for drug advices

Current status of Dispensing Separation

Efforts to get ready for dispensing separation: Mechanisms for controlling price of drugs is being

formulated Compulsory services (1+1) in community pharmacy

New pharmacy act will classify medications/drugs into 3 classification: Prescription Medications Only Pharmacists Products Only General Sales Product

Implication of 1Care on Pharmacists & Community

Implementation of 1Care is to give better healthcare services to Malaysians Integrate the public & private healthcare sector Less fortunate community will have better access to

private healthcareOvercome the weakness in current system

System adapted since Merdeka – 55 yearsEnsure Malaysians will get quality treatment

even the cost for healthcare increasesStill under planning and discussion

Pharmacists will play important role as healthcare professionals

More focus towards Quality of Care & Optimization of Resources

Implication of 1Care on Pharmacists & Community

Methadone Therapy by Community Pharmacy

Approval from Perbendaharaan obtained – allows the outsourcing of the dispensing of methadone to community pharmacy

Pharmacies will be paid dispensing fees by government each time methadone is dispensed to a patient referred by government facility For stable patient Ease the patient by allowing therapy outside working

hoursPioneer project in Klang Valley this year

Community pharmacists have been trained for this

Future Prospects & Career for Pharmacists

Projected needs for pharmacists in private sector until 2020 increases for private community pharmacy & pharmaceutical industries

Based on a dialogue with stakeholders e.g. MPS/PhARMA/MOPI on 31st January 2012

Career path for pharmacists is wide spreadVery little chance for unemployment

Community doesn’t fully recognize pharmacists as healthcare professionals

Review our self as a profession Should involve more in patient counseling Compare to GP – should have more personal touch with patients Personal touch important to the community

Role of pharmacists is still low At times, assistant of pharmacists is more appreciated than

pharmacists Pharmacists not available in stores after 5 pm – patient seeking

pharmacists after working hours Liberalization of pharmacy will change the situation

Introduction of shifts in community pharmacyBenchmarking pharmacies – not looking like retail store

Become basis for accreditation of community pharmacyIntroduce new services into pharmacy – e.g. Government

doing Home Medication Review

Foreign students less interested doing attachment in Malaysia

Foreign undergraduate students doing attachment at PSD – still none

However, postgraduates/working pharmacists from developing countries e.g. Mongolia, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, North Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines & other parts of the world – come for training under WHO

PSD as WHO collaborative center for pharmaceutical

Accept students/people from other regulatory bodies

PSD/LFM Support for Future MyPSA/Students Projects

PSD/LFM would be glad and committed to work together with MyPSA from time to time

Support will be available from HQ in PJ or from state level Includes campaign material & necessary supports

MyPSA should play & expand its role as a national body for pharmacy students As a channel to bridge pharmacy students with

PSD/LFMHope the cooperation will continue further

WHATEVER YOU DO, YOU DO IT EXCELLENT. WHEN YOU DO EXCELLENTLY,

FULL-HEARTEDLY, PEOPLE WILL LOOK (AND RESPECT) AT YOU

-DR. TAJUDDIN BIN AKASAHACTING DIRECTOR, NPCB

Take Home Message

Souvenir from MyPSA to PSD

Executive Committees

All Participants

(Last Row From Left) Hafiz [PO, USM], Hanif [UM](Second Row From Left) Nazurah [UiTM], Sue Yen [Monash], Aisyah [UiTM], Faridah [SEO, UiTM], Eunice

[Sec 2, Monash], Amirah [Sec Gen, USM], Janet [EO, AIMST], Mae Ching [PEO, UM], Atiqah [VP, IIUM], Fakarul [President, USM], Irfan [Treasurer, UM], Jason [VP PR, AIMST], Fikkiruddin [UiTM], Shahiran [CUCMS], Afif

[IIUM], Thana Prakash [Masterskill], Hong Huei [USM], Syahidan [USM](First Row From Left) Pn. Abida Haq S.M. Haq, Dr. Nour Hanah Othman, Dato’ Eisah A. Rahman, En. Hatta

bin Ahmad, Dr. Tajuddin bin Akasah, En. Azman bin Yahya, Puan Hani Abdullah

PREPARED BY:

MOHD FAKARUL RADZI BIN MOHAMED MUSTAFA

PRESIDENTMALAYSIAN PHARMACY STUDENTS’

ASSOCIATION (MYPSA)DATE: 14 /02 /2012

©MYPSA 2012

Thank You