With reference to the report
entitled “Pharmacists seek RM5 per visit” (New Straits Times, 28 July 2012), the
Ministry of Health is cognizant
of the integral role played by pharmacists in the provision of healthcare in
this country. Previously, pharmacists were mainly involved in the
manufacturing, quality control and supply of medicines. Today, this has changed
and pharmacists are actively involved in patient focused services and it is not
uncommon for community pharmacists to provide services such as advice on the
management of minor ailments, medication counselling, smoking cessation and
weight management programs.
In most countries, pharmacists are paid a
professional fee based on the services provided and the types of drugs
dispensed. Currently, there is no standardised fee schedule in Malaysia for
pharmacists unlike for doctors and dentists. For this to happen, there are
several things which need to be put in place such as a fair drug pricing
system, standardisation of service provision and a monitoring system by the
government and the professional body itself.
Accreditation of community pharmacies against
benchmarking standards has already been initiated through collaboration between
the Ministry of Health, the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society and the Malaysian
Society for Quality in Health to ensure that they consistently deliver a high
standard of care. The Ministry is also in the process of developing a medicines
pricing system through which there will be uniformity in medicine charges. The
introduction of mandatory continuing professional education will also help to
ensure that practising pharmacists are equipped with up-to-date knowledge and
that they provide the best standards of care to their clients.
The Ministry of Health will ensure that the
public is not burdened when they seek professional help at the pharmacy and any
form of remuneration is in line with fair medicines pricing and the provision
of quality pharmaceutical services.
Dato’ Eisah Binti A. Rahman
Senior Director of Pharmaceutical Services
Ministry of Health Malaysia
Source: New Straits Times, 28 July 2012, Page 3 & MyPSA's Facebook Page
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