How to become a Pharmacist in Malaysia

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What is a Pharmacist?

Who pops into your mind when you need help getting medication without paying a visit to a doctor? In many cases, Pharmacists will be your go-to person to get advice on getting the right medication. Like Doctors and Nurses, Pharmacists are trusted healthcare professionals who play a vital part in the healthcare system by providing access to medicines and ensuring safe and appropriate usage.

By definition, Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who are responsible to dispense medications and provide medication advice or information to patients. Pharmacists are highly specialised and knowledgeable individuals in the pharmaceutical area, usually in the area of safe usage, properties, and effects of various medications. By leveraging the knowledge they have, they are able to ensure patients receive the right medication and know how to properly administer it.

One of the key roles of a Pharmacist is patient counselling. Just like Doctors or Nurses, Pharmacists play the role of explaining to patients how to use their medications effectively, including information about potential side effects, etc. They also help in addressing any queries or concerns that the patients may have, assisting them to better understand their treatment journey in order to improve adherence to prescribed medication.

Overall, Pharmacists are key members of the healthcare setting. Their expertise and commitment to patient care are what are needed to ensure the optimum operation of the whole healthcare system.

If you aspire to become a Pharmacist, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will be illustrating the various types of Pharmacist and guiding you through the pathway to become a registered Pharmacist in Malaysia. So, keep reading to learn more about this fulfilling career and how you can embark on the journey!

Types of Pharmacists

Just like any other healthcare professional, Pharmacists also come in different roles. Here are the top 10 Pharmacists’ types in Malaysia.

Types of Pharmacists	Description
Community Pharmacist	In charge of stand-alone pharmacy – retail level, providing prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and health advice to the general public
Hospital Pharmacist	Work in healthcare settings such as hospitals or clinics that are involved in medication management and distribution, patient counselling, and monitoring for side effects
Specialty Drug Pharmacist	Experts in measuring and administering specialty drugs to treat severe medical conditions while collaborating with other specialties to determine the appropriate usage of medication
Ambulatory Care Pharmacist	Outpatient care pharmacist works outside a hospital setting by providing medication support to those patients that are in repeated treatment but require little attention, like normal patients
Military Pharmacist	Assists military doctors in prescribing medications to soldiers or any other military personnel
Informatics Pharmacist	Responsible for the integration of technology into medication storage, measurement, and distribution by working with technology specialists to make the job seamless
Research and Development (R&D) Pharmacist	Drive innovation in pharmaceuticals through research, experimentation, and development of new medications
Home Care Pharmacist	Provide medication needs in a home setting, which includes medication preparation, complex or simple medication procedures
Pharmacovigilance Officer	Ensure the medication on the market are safe to consume by meeting regulatory standards and often working with government agencies to prevent the production of non-legitimate medication
Academic Pharmacist	Research on the medicine’s effectiveness, safety standards, and its interaction with the body

Skills required to be a Pharmacist

Here are the top 5 required skills for a Pharmacist:

1. Pharmaceutical knowledge

Must possess a strong foundation and knowledge in the pharmaceutical area, as the role itself involves a lot of dealing with medication, such as medicine classifications, interactions, dosage, and therapeutic uses.

2. Meticulous

One needs to be detail-oriented and precise in their work by accurately interpreting prescriptions and dispensing them to prevent any form of error that may impact the patients’ health.

3. Communication

As Pharmacists, one will be spending most of the time communicating with the patients. Hence, excellent communication skills are very important to enable Pharmacists to understand the patients’ needs and provide the right medication advice and usage instructions.

4. Analytical

Having strong analytical skills is equally important in order to identify the root problems and offer practical solutions to meet the patients’ needs. This is done through assessing complex situations and making informed decisions to optimise medical therapy.

5. Empathy

Empathy and a patient-centred approach are vital to establish trust, build rapport, and ensure patients’ understanding and adherence to medicine usage.

Are you eligible to study Pharmacy?

Following are the general entry requirements to study Pharmacy:

Academic Entry	Minimum Score
Foundation	CGPA 3.00 with B in Chemistry
Diploma	CGPA 3.50 with B in Chemistry
STPM	CGPA 3.00 with B in Chemistry
UEC	Pass UEC with Grade B4 in 5 subjects
A-Levels	BBB/ABC/AAC in 3 subjects Biology & Chemistry & Physics /Mathematics) including B in Chemistry
Australian Matriculation (ATAR)	80 with B in Chemistry
IB Diploma	Pass IB with 30 points and Standard Level with 4 points in Chemistry, Biology and Physics or Mathematics

Note: Universities may have different requirements. To learn more, get in touch with us!

Entry Level	Minimum Score
IELTS	Band 5.0
MUET	Band 3
TOEFL	40

Note: Universities may have different English Language requirements. To learn more, get in touch with us!

General Pathway to be a Pharmacist in Malaysia

The general pathway to be a Pharmacist in Malaysia generally involves the following steps:

Step 1: Complete a Pre-University Programme such as STPM, A-Levels, or Foundation in Science. These programmes provide the students with the fundamental knowledge they need to further their education in pharmacy.

Step 2: Complete a Bachelor of Pharmacy with a recognised university by the Pharmacy Board under the Ministry of Health in Malaysia. The programme spans between 3 to 4 years and covers various aspects of pharmaceutical sciences, clinical pharmacy, pharmacology, and pharmacy practise.

Step 3: Upon graduating, the graduate is required to undergo a year of compulsory service in a public hospital and another year of training in a government or private facility recognised by the Pharmacy Board.

Step 4: Following the completion of the compulsory services and training, graduates are required to take and pass the Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination conducted by the Pharmacy Board to assess the competency to become a Pharmacist.

Step 5: After passing the examination, the graduate can now apply for full registration to become a Pharmacist in Malaysia. Once completed, the graduate can legally practise their profession in various healthcare settings. FYI, Pharmacists are required to register yearly to continue practising in Malaysia.

Universities to study Pharmacy in Malaysia

1. UCSI University

A transforming educational experience is provided by the pharmacy programme at UCSI University, preparing students for a satisfying but lucrative job in the pharmaceutical industry. The pharmacy programme at UCSI University stands out as a top option for aspirant pharmacists, with a strong emphasis on academic excellence, practical training, and industrial relevance. Students at UCSI University can take advantage of a comprehensive curriculum that includes important subjects including pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacy practise, and patient care. The curriculum is created to equip students with the knowledge and abilities they need to succeed in their careers and have a positive influence on the healthcare system.

Programme Offered	Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons)
Duration	4 years
Intake	September
Indicative Fees (2023)	Local Students: RM151,450 International Students: RM204,418