M'sia needs more pharmacists to cater to growing population

SHAH ALAM: Malaysia needs more pharmacists to cater to the growing needs of the people, says Health Ministry (Pharmaceutical Services Division) senior director, Dr Salmah Bahri.
She said currently, the ratio was one pharmacist per every 1,600 population and the health ministry was targeting to improve the ratio to 1:1,000 or 1:1,200.
Dr Salmah said as the population of Malaysia grew, the country needed few more thousands of pharmacists to cater to the needs of primary healthcare.
Speaking to reporters after attending the World Pharmacists Day (WPD) Games 2017 here, she added that over the years, the scope and functions of pharmacists in Malaysia had grown significantly, from primary and secondary healthcare, and now extending into manufacturing medications.
"Apart from serving hospitals and the community for primary care and secondary care, there are also pharmacists in the industries, manufacturing and distribution sector. So, if you talk about whether there are enough pharmacists , there is not enough," she said.
The inaugural WPD Games which attracted some 2,000 participants from the sector was opened by Health Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya.
There will be a meet and greet session during the closing ceremony tomorrow, with national athletes and celebrities such as national badminton player, Goh Liu Ying and diver, Leong Mun Yee.— Bernama