Drug Formulary App

Introduction

Ministry of Health Medicines Formulary (MOHMF) is a valuable resource for healthcare professionals practicing at Malaysia.

• It provides quick information on indications, dosage, availability and prescribing category.
• Also, it forms the hospital/clinical drug formulary foundation for all government healthcare facilities at Malaysia.

Self-Driven Initiatives

Thus far, multiple unofficial attempts have been made, first started with My Blue Book by My Pharmacist House (last updated to FUKKM 2016-2), followed with Blue Book (Updated+Brand Name Search) by Apicel (last updated to FUKKM 2020-2).

• Both these applications are no longer updated and removed from App Store.

Self-driven initiatives are then continued by other parties.

• Blue Book + CPG Malaysia under Ice Cream App
• Database last updated to MOHMF 2023-2.

• Pharmacist Magicbook under Pharmacoder
• If there is a privacy concern, you may create an account using fake phone number.
• Database last updated to MOHMF 2023-1.

However, these self-driven initiatives are infrequently updated and offer little additional value.

• Therefore, with the introduction of the official MyFormulary app, they become obsolete.

MyFormulary App and The Way Forward

The official MyFormulary app is finally available.

• It is a progressive web app (PWA), meaning you can add it to your phone home screen for offline access.

NOTE: Logging in with intranet pharmacy account unlocks additional information.

Nonetheless, there are still limitations in day-to-day use.

• Not all hospital drugs are listed in MOHMF.
• Not all drugs in MOHMF are available in our hospital/clinic.

Hence, the official app should incorporate a feature of local hospital/clinic drug formulary.

• The application should automatically sync the local formulary with the MOHMF (the backbone database) to ensure all changes in indications, prescribing restrictions, dosing, prescribing categories and precautions are reflected.
• For drugs that are not available in the MOHMF, a separate drug list with detailed indication and dosage information should be created. This would allow individual facilities to activate these medicines into their own formulary if necessary.
• Similarly, the off-label uses can be clearly highlighted too.
• There should be specific remarks section available for each facility to annotate more information, such as
• Formulary status information (prescribing restrictions on department, prescriber or patient basis)
• Notes on local practices or quick info reminders (e.g. prandial advice, cold-chain, counselling points).
• In terms of security, intranet pharmacy account will be required for all users, regardless of access level (read-only, editor or admin).

Additionally, the app can be further enhanced by including additional functionalities such as brand name search, drug album, drug interaction checking and real-time updates on drug shortage.