Which is the Best Pharmacy Programme at a Private University in Malaysia that Suits You?
- List of affordable top private universities in Malaysia offering the Pharmacy programme
- Course details, Entry Requirements and Career Prospects for Pharmacy
So have you been wondering about a career in Pharmacy? There are many questions running through your mind about the job demand, entry requirements, which universities in Malaysia are best for Pharmacy? and if this course suits you? This article will address most of your concerns. Please do fill up the enquiry form for a more in-depth consultation.
Pharmacy is about using medications safely and effectively. 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. In addition to dispensing prescriptions, they must understand the chemistry, drug reactions, patient’s history, the effects and side effects of drugs. To study this course, students need to choose universities where the degree programme is recognised by the Malaysian Pharmacy Board.
Students who have just completed their high school would need to go for a Science Pre-University Programme before entering into a top private university for Pharmacy in Malaysia. Entry requirements for pharmacy are higher than for other science courses. Furthermore, foreign branch campuses like Monash and Nottingham would have more stringent requirements.
Which are the Best Private Universities in Malaysia that’s Affordable to Study Pharmacy?
Studying Pharmacy at a private university in Malaysia can be expensive for some students. Without sacrificing on quality, students should look at affordable universities that have years of experience, facilities, qualified lecturers and an English-speaking student environment.
The fees for the Pharmacy programme at some private universities can be quite low but the facilities that they offer are lacking. It is better to invest in a reputable private university that provide better facilities and a overall university experience.
Top private universities in Malaysia that you can consider studying the Pharmacy degree course are:
Other universities that you can opt for if you have the finances are Monash University, University of Nottingham and International Medical University (IMU).
All of their courses are accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and recognised by the Malaysian Pharmacy Board.
What are the General 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 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.
Education Pathway
Students after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels can enter into a Foundation in Science at the best private universities in Malaysia for 1 year before continuing on to the 4-year Pharmacy degree.
Pre-University graduates in Malaysia from programmes such as UEC, STPM, A-Levels, SAM, CPU, AUSMAT and others may enter directly into the degree providing they meet the minimum entry requirements.
- The Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) programme is recognised by Malaysian Pharmacy Board (MPB).
- The duration of the programme is 4 years as required by the Board of Pharmacy Malaysia.
What will You Study in the Pharmacy Programme?
The Pharmacy Degree programme is geared towards the patient as the major focus for the application of knowledge of pharmaceutical sciences. The programme will equip students with the scientific, clinical and professional knowledge as well as strong communication skills to positively impact the healthcare system.
The Pharmacy degree will cover four main areas:
- Physiology and Pharmacology
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology
- Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice
Sample of Subjects that you will Study in a Pharmacy Degree
- Alternative Medicine
- Biostatistics
- Community Pharmacy
- Compounding and Formulation
- Drug and Substance Abuse
- Drug Counselling
- Drug Interaction and Contraindications
- Drug Supply and Distribution System
- Drugs Delivery System
- Entrepreneurship
- Health Economics
- Health Education/ Promotion
- Health Policy
- Hospital Pharmacy
- Law and Ethics
- Medication Safety
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Nutrition and Health Supplements
- Pharmaceutical Analysis
- Pharmaceutical Technology
- Pharmacoepidemiology
- Pharmacogenetics
- Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry
- Pharmacoinformatics
- Pharmacokinetics and
- Biopharmaceutics
- Pharmacotherapy
- Pharmacy Management
- Physical Pharmacy
- Quality Assurance and Quality Control
- Research
- Toxicology
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.
PTPTN Loan for Pharmacy
The Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN), is an agency under Malaysia’s Ministry of Education that provides educational financing for students.
Basically, the PTPTN Loan is open to all Malaysian students who are enrolled for Pharmacy degree programmes at approved private universities or colleges for courses that are accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).
Amount of loan that you can get for Pharmacy per year. |
Household Income | ||
<RM4,000MAKSIMUM(RM) 17,000 |
<RM8,00075%(RM) 12,750 |
>RM8,00050%(RM) 8,500 |
Will I be able to get the Full Loan Amount?
The PTPTN loan is divided into three categories – full, partial and tuition fees only. The amount of the loan is determined by the applicant’s monthly household nett income and number of dependants.
Category of Education Funding | Monthly Household Nett Income (RM)* |
---|---|
Full | Not exceeding 4,000 |
Partial | More than 4,000 but not exceeding 5,000 |
Tuition fees only | More than 5,000 |
* The monthly household nett income will be subtracted with the number of dependents (1 dependent = RM250)
Peringkat jumlah pembiayaan ditentukan berdasarkan kelayakan di bawah:-
PERINGKAT PEMBIAYAAN |
KELAYAKAN |
Maksimum |
Sekiranya pelajar atau penjaga pelajar disenaraikan sebagai penerima Bantuan Rakyat 1 Malaysia (BR1M) |
75% daripada pembiayaan maksimum |
Pendapatan keluarga tidak melebihi RM8,000 (tiada dalam data BR1M) |
50% daripada pembiayaan maksimum |
Pendapatan keluarga melebihi RM8,000 (tiada dalam data BR1M) |
How will the PTPTN Loan be Disbursed?
Mode of Payment Payment from PTPTN will be made TWICE a year directly into the university’s account. Students must make payment of first semester’s tuition fees to the university and then apply for the PTPN Loan for it to come into effect for the second semester.
Hello,
What are the other career alternatives for a student who graduated with a Bachelor’s degree (Hons) in Pharmacy, but has interests in teaching?
Apart from furthering post-graduate courses to become a university lecturer, or to teach science subjects at schools, are there other options, for example, teaching/mentoring interns at hospitals?
Thank you in advance.
Sorry, I do not know the information to help you in this matter.
Hello,
What are the other career alternatives for a student who graduated with a Bachelor’s degree (Hons) in Pharmacy, but has interests in teaching?
Apart from furthering post-graduate courses to become a university lecturer, or to teach science subjects at schools, are there other options, for example, teaching/mentoring interns at hospitals?
What are the criteria required?
Thank you in advance.
We only advise students on how to choose the right course or university, not on career advise. Good luck!
is it still hav career opportunity for pharmacist?
bcus it seems like pharmacist in malaysia nowadays are overflow
Retail pharmacy is still growing and the pharmacist to citizens ration is still low in Malaysia.
If comparing pharmacy degree between IMU and UCSI, which university is better as the tuition fees for pharmacy in IMU is about double of in UCSI.
Both universities are reputable for pharmacy. IMU is more research based while UCSI is more practical. Depends on your budget and career goals. For more details, you can email me at info@eduspiral.com.my with your full name and mobile number.