What is the Education Pathway to Become a Pharmacist in Malaysia
The 4-year Pharmacy degree programme at Malaysian private universities equips students with scientific, clinical and professional knowledge as well as strong communication skills, giving them the ability to positively impact the healthcare system. The degrees should be accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and Malaysian Pharmacy Board.
Pharmacy is about using medications safely and effectively. After a patient visits their doctor and receives a prescription for medicine or another approved remedy, pharmacists are tasked with filling those prescriptions. Although it may seem like a straight-forward exchange, pharmacists must use their extensive knowledge of drug dosage, regulation, allergens and chemical reactions for each and every individual who comes to them with a prescription. A Pharmacist is a professional who manages this process. While Doctors diagnose the disease or illness, it is the Pharmacist who are experts in drugs and medications. Their service is very important to both patients and the health care community.
All you need to Know about Becoming a Pharmacist in Malaysia
Education Pathway to Becoming a Pharmacist in Malaysia after Secondary School
Students after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels can enter into a Foundation in Science at the private universities in Malaysia for 1 year before continuing on to the 4-year Pharmacy degree. at a private university that’s recognised by the Malaysian Pharmacy Board.
Alternatively, students after secondary school may go for a Pre-University programme such as UEC, STPM, A-Levels, CIMP, AUSMAT and others may enter directly into the degree providing they meet the minimum entry requirements.
During your 4-year study of the Bachelor of Pharmacy course, you will go through Hospital, Industry and Community Pharmacy attachments as well. Upon completion, you will undergo the Provisionally Registered Pharmacist (PRP) Training for 1 Year at the approved Ministry of Health/private hospitals/pharmaceutical companies/community pharmacies.
When you successfully complete the PRP Training, you can then register as a Pharmacist in Malaysia.
What kind of things can I expect to study?
Pharmacy students will gain knowledge across areas like biology and chemistry.
The start of a Pharmacy degree, which is usually four years, leading to a BPharm degree, is focused on giving students a solid foundation in the fundamentals of pharmaceutical sciences, covering medicine, chemistry, biology, ethics and training in professionalism. As Pharmacy is a patient-facing profession, you will start to model patient scenarios early on.
In later years, the focus of the degree shifts from its theoretical foundations to practical, patient-orientated study, including looking at specific diseases and medicines. You will look closely at good practice in real-life Pharmacy situations to develop your professional skills and maximise patient benefit. You will address the law and ethics of Pharmacy, and you may look at Pharmacy from a business perspective. You will spend a lot of time on placements of different kinds. You may also have the opportunity to carry out a research project of your own.
The assessment methods include various assignments, practical & visitation reports, oral presentations, research project viva, patient counselling, tutorials, problem based sessions and finally the examinations.
Sample of Pharmacy subjects
It is important to note that the subjects offered at the universities would vary and students should look through the brochures and talk to the lecturers. Some universities may be focussed on practical while others on research. Ask about the focus and goals of the pharmacy programme and then decide whether they fit your career goals.
- Introductory Physiology
- Microbiology for Pharmacy
- Organic Chemistry
- Basic Pharmacology & Immunopharmacology
- Basic Medicinal Chemistry
- Biostatistics for Pharmacy
- Biochemistry for Pharmacy
- Physical Pharmacy
- Dispensing & Compounding
- Antimicrobial Therapy
- Nervous System & Pharmacotherapy
- Aseptic Dispensing
- Pulmonary, Renal & Pharmacotherapy
- Endocrine System & Pharmacotherapy
- Nonprescription Drugs
- Marketing for Pharmacy
- Pharmaceutical Analysis
- Dosage Form Design
- Cardiovascular System, Blood & Pharmacotherapy
- Gastrointestinal System & Pharmacotherapy
- Evidence Based Medicine
- Basic Pharmacokinetics
- Pharmacognosy
- Clinical Pharmacokinetics
- Biotechnology & Pharmacogenomics
- Drug of Abuse & Society
- Hospital Pharmacy Practice
- Pharmacy Management
- Pharmacotherapy
- Pharmacy Clerkship
- Research Project
- Geriatric Pharmacy
- Cancer Chemotherapy
- Pharmacy Law & Ethics
- Pharmacoeconomics
- Pharmacoepidemiology
- Communication in Healthcare
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology
- Basic Chemical Properties of Drugs & Action
- Basic & Peripheral Nervous System Pharmacology
- Pharmaceutical Compounding & Dispensing
- Antimicrobials, Anti-Neoplastic Agents & Immunomodulators
- Pharmaceutical Analysis
- Central Nervous System Pharmacotherapeutics
- Biochemistry
- Physical Pharmaceutics
- Pharmacy Legislation
- Pharmacognosy & Phytochemistry
- Renal & Gastrointestinal System Pharmacotherapeutics
- Clinical Pharmacokinetics
- Pharmaceutical Processing
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology & Immunology
What skills will I acquire?
Graduates will acquire extensive knowledge of medicines, including their design, manufacture and effects, as well as knowing how to operate pharmaceutical instrumentation. Moreover, you will develop very strong professional skills such as interacting with patients and effective communication.
Pharmacy graduates will also acquire highly transferable skills such as a high level of organisation and ability to work carefully, accurately and methodically. You will also gain problem-solving skills. The research project that you are likely to carry out in your final year will equip you with the ability to carry out independent research and present your findings.
- The Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) programme is recognised by Malaysian Pharmacy Board (MPB).
Accreditation
- The duration of the programme is 4 years as required by the Board of Pharmacy Malaysia.
What is the Structure of the Pharmacy Undergraduate Programme in Malaysia?
The programme should be scheduled over a minimum of 4 calendar years in order to equip a pharmacy graduate with the required credits to enable learning of the relevant basic pharmaceutical sciences with increasing emphasis on pharmaceutical care.
The programme will be structured in a way that ensures:
- Achievement of the objectives in knowledge, skills and attitude in a meaningful way and relevant to pharmacy.
- The delivery of a broad based pharmacy education to meet an increasing experience in the practice of pharmacy in varied settings, including hospital pharmacy, community pharmacy and industrial pharmacy, with attention to the total healthcare needs of patients and families.
- The use of a variety of teaching-learning methods and experiences and assessment methods for ensuring the acquisition of adequate knowledge, problem-solving and management skills, psychomotor and attitudinal skills with opportunity for self directed development.
The role of communication, interpersonal skills and professionalism would be emphasized.
The curriculum approach and structure as well as the teaching-learning and assessment methods that will support the approach must be determined.
Knowledge Domain
A basic degree course in pharmacy must ensure that students acquire adequate knowledge on pharmaceutical sciences that are relevant in understanding health and illness and the provision of health care for individuals, families and the community. Essential content areas to be acquired in the appropriate segments of the programme include:
- The practice of pharmacy
- The pharmacist’s role in patient-care, pharmaceutical trade, industrial, and other settings relevant to health or social care.
- Main aspects of managing medicines, clinical pharmacy, adverse drug reaction reporting and provision of drug information.
- Promotion of good health and disease prevention.
- Pharmacy legislation, ethics and regulations.
- The registration of medicines.
- Community pharmacy.
- Written and verbal communication skills and counselling.
- Principles of pharmacoeconomics.
- Pharmacoinformatics
- Research methodology and biostatistics
- The sources, isolation, characterisation, analysis and properties of substances used in medicine.
- Sources and purification of substances used in medicines e.g. of biotechnological, chemical, synthetic, immunological, mineral and plant origin.
- Drug development and design.
- Specifications of substances used as drugs – physical and chemical tests, stability, analytical methods, structure activity relationships, thermodynamics and chemical kinetics.
- How is the Course Assessment?
- Students are assessed based on the main objective of training competent pharmacists. The ethics, communication, knowledge, analytical and critical thinking skills are incorporated into its assessments.
- The assessment methods include various assignments, practical & visitation reports, oral presentations, research project viva, patient counseling, tutorials, problem based sessions and finally the examinations.
- Design and manufacture of pharmaceuticals
- Properties of materials (active and inactive) used in formulations and devices for the delivery of drugs.
- Development of formulations.
- Stages of drug development and manufacture until marketing.
- Good Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Practice and its implications.
- Processes in the preparation of pharmaceutical products.
- Sources of contamination.
- Dressings and medical appliances.
- The action and uses of pharmaceuticals and other products
- Normal and abnormal body functions: biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, pathology, physiology.
- Action of drugs within living systems: pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
- Therapeutic uses of drugs and aetiology of major diseases.
- Drug and substance abuse.
- Alterations in drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion upon aging, disease and other changes.
- Alternative medicine.
- Pharmacogenetics
Professional Competencies
On completing the pharmacy programme, the graduate should have acquired the ability to:
- Supply medicines in accordance with pharmaceutical knowledge, legislation and codes of professional conduct and practice.
- Interpret and evaluate prescriptions and other orders for medicines and to be able to advice patients and other health care professionals about medicines and their usage.
- Prepare extemporaneously any medicines for which this would be regarded as the normal means of provision.
- Perform pharmaceutical calculations correctly.
- Recognise common disease states and make appropriate responses to the presented symptoms and information.
- Formulate and manufacture pharmaceutical products.
- Apply the principles of quality and quality assurance mechanisms in all aspects of scientific and professional activities.
- Communicate clearly, considerately and sensitively with patients, relatives, colleagues, other health professionals and the general public. This should include the ability to counsel sensitively and effectively and to provide information in a manner which ensures patients and families can be truly informed about their medications.
- Use current technologies to search for new information and to adopt and integrate it in improving practice.
- Use common application software in pharmacy.
- Manage and administer a pharmacy.
- Communicate with health care professionals and patients regarding rational drug therapy, wellness and health promotion.
- Efficient use of resources to achieve maximum benefit.
- Undertake critical appraisal of information or conjecture in all forms of presentations.
Compulsory Training for Pharmacy in Malaysia
- Furthermore, Pharmacy graduates can now go through their training outside of government hospitals and facilities. This was announced recently by the Health Ministry to help increase the pharmacist-people ratio for the next three years.
- Pharmacy graduates can undergo their Provisionally Registered Pharmacists (PRP) training at private pharmacy facilities, such as private hospitals, R&D industries and community pharmacies that are accredited by the Malaysian Pharmacy Board.In September 2011, PRP was shortened from a three-year period to only one year.
Professional Recognition for Pharmacy Graduates
Graduates are eligible for registration with the Pharmacy Board of Malaysia. The requirements are:
- Completion of pre-registration training and 1-year compulsory service.
The 1-year pre-registration training and another year of service must be at premises approved by the Ministry of Health. These include institutions, hospitals and clinics under the Ministry of Health, other government institutions such as Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, University Malaya Medical Centre and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre as well as selected private sector establishments that include community pharmacies, pharmaceutical industries and private hospitals. - Pass the Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination which assesses knowledge and application of Malaysian law regulating the sale and supply of poisons and also the ethics of the pharmacy profession. This examination must be passed by all candidates wishing to apply for registration either before graduation, prior to starting the pre-registration training or before completion of the pre-registration training.
Qualifying Examination to Practice Pharmacy
- Provisionally Registered Pharmacists (PRP) who are undergoing provisional training in Malaysia or
- Malaysian applicants with pharmacy degree recognized by the PBM and have been registered in a foreign country and intend to get registered in Malaysia.
- Foreign registered pharmacists with pharmacy degree recognized by the PBM and intend to apply for Temporary Registration in Malaysia.
- Third year (3rd year), fourth year (4thyear) and graduated pharmacy students (who are awaiting for PRP posting) from a recognized pharmacy program.
EXAMINATION FORMAT
- 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) in open book format.
- All questions shall be answered within 3 hours and 30 minutes.
- Each question has four (4) options with a single correct response only.
- The passing mark is 50%.
- This exam contains negative marking. Right answer carries one mark and 0.25 negative mark for each wrong answer will be deducted. No marks will be deducted for questions not attempted.
- Candidates are allowed to refer to the relevant acts/regulations, Code of Conduct for Pharmacista and Bodies Corporate, references regarding Malaysian National Medicines Policy and Good Governance for Medicine.
What are the Entry Requirements to Enter the Pharmacy Programme at a Private University in Malaysia?
The entry requirements below are for most private universities in Malaysia however each university may have different requirements so do check with the particular university of interest for their requirements.
In addition, some universities will require an interview as well.
- A- Level
- 3B or 2A1C or 1A1B1C in Biology and Chemistry and Physics or Mathematics with minimum “B” in Chemistry
- With reference to the Score system of the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) carried out at United Kingdom for A-level result with score of A+ = 140, A=120, B=100 and C=80
- 3B proposed by LFM is equal to the total score of 300 with B for Chemistry course
- STPM
- 3B or 2A1C or 1A1B1C in Biology and Chemistry and Physics or Mathematics with minimum “B” in Chemistry
- Overall CGPA minimum 3
- Matriculation or Pre-Study in Medicine and Pharmacy
- CGPA 3.0 and above with minimum “B” in Chemistry
- Minimum 1 year of study
- Pass SPM with minimum 5B in Biology and Chemistry and Physics and Mathematics (or Additional Mathematics) and other one subject at School Certificate level or equivalent
- Foundation in Sciences
- CGPA 3.0 and above with minimum B in Chemistry
- Minimum 1 year of study
- Pass SPM with minimum 5B in Biology and Chemistry and Physics and Mathematics (or Additional Mathematics) and other one subject at School Certificate level or equivalent
- Diploma
- Diploma in Science (Chemistry or Biology or Physics) CGPA 3.75 and above including B in Chemistry subject
OR
- Diploma in Pharmacy CGPA 3.5 and above
- Minimum 1 year of study
- Pass SPM with minimum 5B in Biology and Chemistry and Physics and Mathematics (or Additional Mathematics) and other one subject at School Certificate level or equivalent
- First Degree in Science
- First Degree in Science CGPA 2.75 and above (CGPA 2.75 = Gred C+)
- UEC
- Pass UEC with minimum Grade B4 in 5 subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Additional Mathematics or one other subject.
- Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT) /Tertiary Entrance Education (TEE) /South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) /New South Wales Higher Education Certificate (HSC) (Year 12) /Northern Territory Certificate of Education (NTCE) (Year 12) /Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) (Year 12) /Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY)
- Aggregate 80% include Chemistry, Biology and Physics or Mathematics in which minimum “B” in Chemistry or equivalent
OR
- TER/ UAI/ ENTER/ ATAR 80 include Chemistry, Biology and Physics or Mathematics in which minimum “B” in Chemistry or equivalent
- South Australian Matriculation (SAM)/ Western Australian Curriculum Council/ University of New South Wales Foundation/ Trinity College Foundation/ Higher School Certificate-Sydney Australia
Aggregate 80% include Chemistry, Biology and Physics or Mathematics in which minimum “B” in Chemistry or equivalent
OR
- TER/ UAI/ ENTER/ ATAR 80 include Chemistry, Biology and Physics or Mathematics in which minimum “B” in Chemistry or equivalent
- Canadian Pre-U (CPU)/ Canadian International Matriculation Program (CIMP)
- Aggregate 80% include Chemistry, Biology and Physics or Mathematics with minimum “B” in Chemistry or equivalent
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Pass IB with minimum 30 points (exclusive of bonus points) for two Science or Mathematics subjects at Higher Level (HL) and another one Science subject at Standard Level (SL) with minimum 4 points for Chemistry, Biology and Physics or Mathematics
- Other International Qualifications Deemed Equivalent to STPM/A-Level by Malaysian Qualifications Agency
- Aggregate 80% for three subjects (Chemistry, Biology and Physics or Mathematics) with minimum “80%” in Chemistry or equivalent
What are the Career Options for Pharmacy Graduates in Malaysia?
- Community pharmacy
- Industrial pharmacy
- Hospital & clinical pharmacy
List of Recognized Pharmacy Degree by Pharmacy Board Malaysia
LIST OF REGISTRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Country in which qualification is granted | Name of Institution granting qualification | Description of qualification | |
Malaysia | Universiti Sains Malaysia | Sarjana Muda Farmasi (Kepujian) | |
Universiti Malaya | Sarjana Muda Farmasi (Kepujian) | ||
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia | Sarjana Muda Farmasi (Kepujian) | ||
Universiti Teknologi MARA | Sarjana Muda Farmasi (Kepujian) | ||
Universiti Islam Antarabangsa | Sarjana Muda Farmasi (Kepujian) | ||
AIMST University | Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) | ||
UCSI University | Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) | ||
International Medical University | Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) | ||
International Medical University twinning with University of Strathclyde | Master of Pharmacy | ||
University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus | Master of Pharmacy | ||
University of Cyberjaya (Formerly known as Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences) | Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) | ||
MAHSA University | Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) | ||
SEGi University | Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) | ||
Lincoln University College | Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) (Recognised on 1 June 2017) | ||
Monash University Malaysia | Bachelor of Pharmacy (Recognised on 1 January 2013) | ||
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) (Recognised on 1 January 2013) | |||
Management & Science University | Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) (Recognised on 24 October 2012) | ||
Taylor’s University | Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) (Recognised on 7 July 2015) | ||
Asia Metropolitan University | Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) (Recognised on 10 July 2017) | ||
University Kuala Lumpur – Royal College of Medicine Perak | Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) (Recognised on 8 September 2017) | ||
KPJ Healthcare University College | Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) (Recognised on 19 July 2017)
|
||
QUEST International University [Formerly known as QUEST International University Perak (QIUP)] | Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons)
(Recognised on 8 February 2019) |
||
Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin | Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons)
(Recognised on 27 January 2023) |
Hi, I’m finishing my A levels and about to take pharmacy degree. Do I need SPM malay and sejarah to register or practice pharmacy after I graduate
Dear , I did my Pharm-D 5 years Program , I am planning for PhD In Clinical Pharmacy from Malaysian University , 1- kindly advice me few credible university .
2- Pharm-D is make me eligible for direct enrollment in PhD Program or I have to complete MParm?
Sorry, we only assist for undergraduate studies
hello, im joel from Philippines. my girlfriend is a pharmacy in the Philippines, may we know how can she apply here in Malaysia as pharmacy?
thank you.
She must have a Pre-University qualification like A-Levels to enter the Pharmacy degree in Malaysia
Kindly asking, I’m a fresh graduate Chemical engineer in UniMAP (CGPA 3.69), is it possible to apply B.Pharm UCSI? Or any other University providing B.Pharm? Thanks for any replies.
You have to submit your application to the university for them to evaluate for entry
Do you think MAHSA University is the best choice to further degree in pharmacy? Can you give me suggestion which university is the best to become pharmacist in Malaysia and other country?
Yes, MAHSA is a top university for health care courses.
Do you think MAHSA university is the best choice for Bachelor in Pharmacy? Can you give me suggestion which university is the best to become pharmacist in Malaysia or oversea?
Which school is better? Masha university or Taylor’s?
Both have their advantages
I am a registered pharmacist from India how can I apply for registered pharmacist of Malaysia.?
Is UCSI university still well known for their bachelor in pharmacy course?
Yes, they are
Hi..currently I’m doing DipPharm and I’m in final year…I’m planning to pursue degree and I’m looking for scholarships for the degree program…could u advice on this..tq
There are no universities offering scholarships for transfer students for pharmacy diploma as far as I know
hi cn i have foundation in one school and then study maybe for 2 years in the same school but later transfer to another school to continue my studies? I hope you know what i’m tryin’ to say
You can transfer to another university in Malaysia only after Year 1 and not after Year 2 of degree.
ok so it means that im going to study foundation in school A for 1 year than continue study another 1 year of degree in the same school, then only transfer to school B?
Why would you want to transfer here and there?
Hi , just want to ask , is is hard to study pharmacy with stpm ? I’m quite insecure about pre-u now because i don’t have any other choice besides form6 now . I’m taking bio , chem , maths T and general studies . So if i scored well in my stpm , can i study pharmacy with that ?
If you have no choice then take STPM. To enter into Public University depends on whether the government chooses you.
I heard that nowadays pharmacy is over demand, i have some fresh graduates in pharmacy are waiting the government since last year august, I quite interested in pharmacy but I scare it will jobless when I graduate after 4 years of degree. Should I continue study pharmacy or I should choose another health care degree??
The placement for government is overloaded but you can opt to go for placement in private sector. Just because placement is full doesn’t mean that jobs are limited. Government placement and Jobs are not the same thing.
which university in malaysia is the best for one to pursue pharmacy degree
Nottingham, Reading, Monash, UCSI & IMU
Can I take one year foundation of science, then go through degree of pharmacy? I mean that if I don’t want to take diploma of pharmacy.
Yes, that’s the normal pathway. For more details, please email me at info@eduspiral.com with your full name and mobile number
i did not take any physic in my O’level, following the school’s rule, but my A’level chem is very good (A*), bio (B) and maths (B). Any chance to get in ucsi without any physic? my other science subject in O’level are all B’s
Entry requirements must be 5Bs including all the science subjects for entry into Pharmacy
i did not take physic in my O’level but i did take bio, math and chem in both O’level and A’level. any chance i can get in ucsi with no physic background?
Entry requirements must be 5Bs including all the science subjects for entry into Foundation in Science leading to the Pharmacy degree.
I would like to ask do I need to take account subject during my secondary year ? thankyou very much
Accounting subjects are not pre-requisites for entry into Pharmacy. You must have at least 5Bs including all the sciences in SPM to enter into the Foundation in Science leading to pharmacy.
Do I need to take account subject during my secondary school to take this course ?
And why would you need to have taken the accounting subject to join a Pharmacy course?
HEY I WOULD LOVE IF YOU JUST ACCEPT ME AND LET ME BE SUCCESSFUL IN CHANGING THE WORLD
Hi,
matriculation , a-level, foundation and diploma) in bachelor in pharmacy .. Which is better??
And Which is the best place to continue my studies in pharmacy. Tq 😊
All are different systems. You choose one that fits you.
May I know what’s the future of pharmacist in 10 years..??
Sorry, no such report done in Malaysia for this.
I TOOK ARTS STREAM DURING MY SPM LAST YEAR.. MY RESULT WAS 4A FOR MY ENGLISH,SEJARAH,SCIENCE,EKONOMI RUMAH TANGGA, B+ FOR BAHASA MELAYU,ARTS,MORAL AND C FOR MY MATHS AND D FOR MY PERDAGANGAN.. CAN I CONTINUE MY STUDIES FOR PHARMACY?? THANK YOU SIR/MRS/MR/MDM
Pharmacy is a Science course therefore Arts students will never be able to take this course.
It’s okay to take medical or pharmacy with my spm result
1B+,2B and 1C+ in science
You need at least 5Bs in SPM including all the Science subjects
if possible for me to taking medicine & phamarcy course with the spm result of 2B and 1C+ in sciene
No
1)can i work as a pharmacist if i’m a biomedical holder?
2)if i study foundation in science in university A, can i transfer to other university to continue my degree.If yes, is there any requirement?
1. No, because a Biomedical degree is not Pharmacy.
2. Yes, it is possible to transfer your Foundation in Science but the requirements vary from university to university.
please consider my request fruitfully