Pharmacist as Career

Introduction

When I picked pharmacist as my future career in secondary school, I had little ideas on what have I actually chosen. As a practicing pharmacist for more than nine years now, I can frankly tell you that most pharmacists working in government clinics and hospitals are only earning a stable but moderate income, and not going to be a millionaire anytime soon.

If you want to help people at need and being a healthcare professional is your passion, only then you should pursuit it.
You could probably earn more when you are working in the community (especially as a pharmacy owner) or in a company or industry.
After all, you can be paid either a steady wage or a commission on your sales, depending on the job.

A Salary is the Drug They Give You to Forget Your Dreams

Pharmacist Contract System at Malaysia

Since the introduction of the contract system for pharmacists, less than half have been offered permanent positions in government facilities. This has understandably caused frustration and anxiety among future pharmacists.

The government's limited budget has hampered efforts to hire more healthcare professionals.
The situation is further complicated by mushrooming of university offering medical course (and hence surge in medical graduates) yet an unproportionally slow increase in number of new government healthcare facilities (and also job positions).
This imbalance contributed to "Code Black" protest in July 2021.

In an attempt to address the issue, former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced in February 2022 that the cabinet has approved the creation of 8686 additional posts for medical, dental and pharmaceutical officers between 2022 and 2025.

Penambaihkan Skim Pegawai Pelantikan Kontrak

The debate surrounding the contract system for healthcare workers (including doctors, dentists, and pharmacists) in Malaysia is likely to resurface in the future.

It is important to acknowledge that the days of permanent positions for all healthcare professionals are likely over.
For future pharmacists, it is crucial to consider career opportunities beyond government hospitals and clinics.
Additionally, I hope for the implementation of fair, clear and transparent selection criteria for permanent pharmacist positions, along with the potential for standardized scoring across all facilities.

Despite these challenges, there is a glimmer of hope. The deputy health minister Lukanisman Awang Suani announced on 24 June 2024 that a new permanent appointment method (subjected to performance and approval of the head of department) will be implemented once the review of the new Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) is completed.

Career Prospect in Public Service and The Way Forward

In terms of professional development, pharmacist specialisation is at a very early stage of recognition. In government facilities, passing BCPS examination or completing Master of Business Administration (MBA) do not have significant impacts in your job position yet.

Similar to most countries, Master in Clinical Pharmacy or PhD is preferred, whereas passing BCPS examination could be seen as a self-acknowledgement.
The decision to undertake the BCPS examination should first consider individual financial situation.
Malaysia Advanced Clinical Pharmacy Programme (MyACPP) is currently being developed to shape the future of clinical pharmacy in Malaysia.

At this era, online CME or webinar is already a new norm to most pharmacists.

MOH may develop a website which serves as a free platform of training courses that provides wider accessibilities to pharmacists practicing at MOH facilities and also allows them to learn at own pace.
Gone should be the days that for each facility, only few selected one can attend a physical course.

Reshuffling of pharmacists should be based on staff requests and hospital needs, instead of on a rigid routine basis of 5 years. To propel this profession forward, we are looking at specialization.

We should not undervalue the knowledge, experience and skills that a pharmacist gains after working at a specific field for a certain number of years.
Moreover, if possible, those clinical pharmacists with no interest in management should continue clinical works, instead of refocusing on management, purely because of seniority. Subject matter experts could become outdated after they are not practicing at wards for few years.

Retail Settings

In retail settings, pharmacists are often the first point of contact for patients when they are seeking medical advice.

Hence, pharmacists can play a vital role in providing valuable counselling about their medications and help them to manage diseases.
There is generally a huge job satisfaction when customers benefited from our recommendation.

NOTE: Product selection should not be solely based on product incentive (PI), but driven by sound clinical judgement.

Another rewarding aspect of working in a retail setting is the opportunity to build relationships with patients and the local community.

Over time, you may get to know your customers very well, from when they were single to when they became parents.

One of the biggest challenges is the long hours and demanding workload.

The 9-9 shift can be incredibly demanding, leaving little to no free time after work for anything other than sleep.
Pharmacists may also be required to work on weekends and public holidays.

The ultimate achievement for many retail pharmacists is to become a pharmacy owner.

This transition signifies a shift from employee to entrepreneur.
However, the initial stage of opening a pharmacy can be incredibly stressful, characterized by high startup costs, intense price competition, the challenge of establishing a loyal customer base, and the complexities of staff management.
While pharmacy ownership offers the freedom of self-employment, it also brings significant responsibilities and potential challenges, such as unpredictable market conditions, the constant pressure of financial sustainability and the ongoing need to adapt to evolving healthcare demands.

Summary

Choosing a future career is never easy, especially when our interests constantly change.

We cannot predict the future, and emerging career paths are constantly evolving.
Software development is a booming field today, but we should not overlook enduring professions like accounting. Despite predictions of automation, accountants remain highly in demand.
Take your time to thoroughly research careers that interest you, considering their potential for growth and earning potential.

Regardless of your chosen path, be prepared to face challenges and stress.

Life is rarely a fairytale, but it is also not as bleak as it might sometimes seem.
We used to romanticize adulthood, yearning for financial independence and the freedom to pursue our passions. However, many of us now reminisce about the carefree days of school, forgetting the stress of exams and endless homework.

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