Expanded role of Pharmacist for better patient care and to increase public awareness – Malaysian experience
Syed Azhar Syed Sulaiman
Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
: J Pharm Drug Deliv Res
Abstract
Changing pattern in pharmacy education and services around the globe has a great impact on Malaysia too. Clinical Pharmacy services started in Malaysia in late 80’s where the syallabus for pharmacy education started to focus on patient’s care and quality of life issues. Academic staff was trained overseas to deal with varieties of specialty area in clinical pharmacy. Started from creating Master of Clinical Pharmacy program for staff pharmacists in the country and training for overseas pharmacists, the clinical pharmacy program begin to bloom which is accompanied closely with research aspect of patient’s care. Awareness is being generated for community to understand their medical regimens and assure that the quality of care by pharmacists is at par with other healthcare providers. Based on various publications and research on the services and pharmacy education in the country, pharmacists begin to stand high in the country. Currently all graduates in pharmacy, medical and dentistry in Malaysia will be directly absorbed for services in the government hospitals and contributes their knowledge and skills for the benefit of patient care. Beside medication adherence clinics, varieties of services including drive through pharmacy, postal pharmacy, home review medication etc. has been initiated to improve patient’s care especially in rural area and among aborigines. Various approaches and initiatives have been taken to improve aborigines’ knowledge regarding diseases and compliance towards medications. This step are taken to increase the awareness regarding healthcare and promoting self-conscious regarding own healthcare.
Biography
Email: sazhar@usm.my
