The Malaysian Pharmacists Society hopes the government will consider expanding the role played by community pharmacists to strengthen the nation’s healthcare system.
In the run-up to Budget 2024, Malaysian Pharmacists Society president Prof Amrahi Buang said while many government health initiatives, including health screenings, had been set up, the response has not been good.
This includes the Social Security Organisation’s (Socso) health screening programme, and Skim Peduli Kesihatan for the B40 group (PeKa B40).
“We hope the government will consider expanding the role played by community pharmacists. There are many health screening programmes being set up by the government, but the people are not going for these screenings. Pharmacists can conduct such screenings, and they will be cheaper, as they will not include a consultation fee,” said Amrahi.
“The whole idea is to help (the system). Pharmacists can help in the screening process, for example HIV, by using self-test kits. If we already have test kits where patients can perform tests themselves, what is the issue?”
He however, stressed that pharmacists would only help in the screening process, and not perform diagnoses.
“Community pharmacists can be the gateway (to proper healthcare) … the public can always come to us.”
Amrahi however, said such a recognition (to screen) must first be accorded to the sector. There are some 5,000 community pharmacists in Malaysia.
Separately, Amrahi commended the government, which had earlier this month, said that the Education and Health ministries will be among those that will receive the biggest allocations in Budget 2024.
Amrahi said the focus on health was in line with the Health White Paper, adding that Malaysia has to be future-ready if we want to shift from curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care, to preventive, and promotive care.
The Health White Paper is aimed at reforming the nation’s health system, towards realising better health and wellbeing for the people.
“The role of pharmacists is recognised in the Health White Paper. Community pharmacists are already giving out professional services (educating the public on medication adherence, etc) and they do it for free,” said Amrahi.
“We are essentially ‘medicines use experts’ and this is recognised throughout the world. We hope the powers that be in Malaysia will also acknowledge this,” Amrahi said.
