Your guide to become an Pharmacist in Malaysia

Average Salary
2,500 - 3,600

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Who is an Pharmacist

A Pharmacist, who are also called chemist or druggists are experts who is knowledgeable in dispensing medication for patients

Pharmacists are your go-to person whenever you need help in getting the best results from your medications. A Pharmacist answers health-related questions usually asked by patients such as what food, drinks, activities, or other drugs could have an effect on medication or what to do about a missed dose. Basically, Pharmacists help people with anything related to the use of drugs. Pharmacy is among the popular courses taken by Malaysian students today. To date, the country has about 10,250 registered Pharmacist and is still short of about 5,000 Pharmacists. More community pharmacies will be built throughout the country, focusing in rural areas and with this, more Pharmacists will be needed.

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The pros and cons of being an Pharmacist

Pros

As long as there are people, there will always be a need for Pharmacists.
It is not as stressful as medical jobs.
Work in a clean and safe environment.

Cons

Occasionally, Pharmacists will have to interact with upset and frustrated customers.
Pharmacists have to stand for a long time at the counter.

What are all the responsibilities of an Pharmacist ?

Accurately dispensing medicine
Provide advice on the proper way to consume medication to patients
Getting the patient’s medication history
Liaising with patient’s doctor should the medication not work as intended
Storing medicine in the proper fashion
Answer questions about medicine
Being up-to-date with the medical field
Provide information about the cost of medication needed

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Incase of any queries

What skills do you need to become an Pharmacist?

Good communication skills

You will deal with all sorts of patients, from the young to the old. Because they do not have knowledge in the medical field, you might have repeat yourself for a few times before they can grasp what you mean. Yes, this also means you need to have patience too.

Accurate

A Pharmacist must have an eye for detail. In this case, size does matter. Every ounce of medication you dispense and the amount of tablets you prescribe can make a huge difference for patients’ health. You need to be precise in your measurements.

Sympathetic to patients

Sometimes patients will come to you to ask for prescriptions and in the meantime, share their stories. From their childhood stories of eczema to how the got infected and the number of doctors they have been seeing, they just want someone to listen to them. So as a Pharmacist, you’ll have to lend an ear and sympathise with them.

What field(s) of study should you choose to become an Pharmacist?

Pharmacy

What are the requirements to be an Pharmacist?

A degree in Pharmacy that is recognised by the Pharmacy Board Malaysia will prepare you for a career in the research industry, hospitals or community pharmacies. Plans to increase the Pharmacist-people ratio has also commenced. The Ministry of Health has also announced that graduates now only have to go through 1-year training and 1-year attachment at a public hospital instead of the previous 1-year training plus 3 years attachment.

What are the working hours of an Pharmacist

Pharmacists work long hours in a hospital pharmacy. You would work the normal office hours in a private pharmacy, depending on the time the pharmacy operates.

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