.png)
The MPS Penang Area & MPS-Young Pharmacists Chapter (YPC) AGM 2024 commenced on a note of enthusiasm and unity as Prof Amrahi Buang, President of the Malaysian Pharmacists Society, took the podium to deliver the opening remarks. Prof Amrahi eloquently outlined the various projects and developments undertaken by MPS nationwide, setting a tone of ambition and progress for the event.
Following Prof Amrahi's inspiring speech, Mr. Sean Liew, President of the Young Pharmacists Chapter, took the stage to offer his remarks. Mr. Liew commended the Penang Area Committees for their outstanding blend of the generations, praising their unity and collaborative spirit in pushing the boundaries of the profession. He emphasized Penang's role as a role model for other states, highlighting the importance of solidarity and innovation in driving positive change within the pharmacy community.
Public-Private Partnership Forum
In a dynamic forum hosted during the MPS Penang Area & MPS-Young Pharmacists Chapter (YPC) AGM 2024, esteemed panelists engaged in a compelling discussion on the intricacies of public-private partnership (PPP) within the healthcare sector. Under the adept moderation of Ms. Gina Koay, MPS Council Member, the session delved into the challenges and benefits inherent in collaborative healthcare models.
Panelists:
Pn. Noraini Kadir, Timbalan Pengarah Kesihatan Negeri (Farmasi), Pulau Pinang
Mr. Andrew Tan, MPS Council Member, Advisory Member of Poison Board of Malaysia
Dr. Hoh Hon Bing, Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer at TELEME Tech
Pn. Nirmala Devi, Head of Ambulatory Pharmacy Unit, Penang General Hospital
Pn. Noraini Kadir initiated the dialogue by shedding light on the groundbreaking Ubat@Komuniti initiative. Originally conceived as a pilot project for Sabah and Sarawak, its implementation in Penang represents a pioneering pre-pilot endeavor, underscoring our commitment to enhancing medication access.
She emphasized the significance of PPP programs, notably in the liberalization of PRP training, and positioned Penang Community pharmacies' activeness as a trailblazer in healthcare evolution.
"The Ubat@Komuniti Project isn't merely about reducing the workload of Penang General Hospital pharmacists. It's about democratizing access to medication for the public."
Pn. Nirmala Devi provided invaluable insights into the Ubat@Komuniti Project's operational aspects. Pharmacy Department of Penang General Hospital is one of the busiest pharmacies in Malaysia. With PGH processing around 3000 prescriptions daily, initiatives like drive-through pharmacies and lockers are essential in easing patient burdens and enhancing accessibility.
Despite initial patient education and adoption challenges, the Ubat@Komuniti Project has garnered success.
Mr. Andrew Tan offered a regulatory perspective, addressing concerns raised by the Poison Amendment Bill 2022. While acknowledging practitioners' apprehensions, he highlighted the transformative potential of e-prescription regulations.
He too elucidated the complexities of reclassifying medications within the Poison Board of Malaysia, emphasizing the rigorous process involved, when asked about the reclassification of certain medications like orphenadrine-containing medications, that are frequently used as muscle relaxants.
This is the beauty of technologies, we can now make all this process to happen within our finger tips, over the time of 1-2 minutes
Dr. Hoh Hon Bing shared his experiences from both UK and Malaysian healthcare settings, "In Hospital setting, we can receive calls from the pharmacists, informing us about the parameters of the patients, and advising us on the dose adjustment, we are going to follow pharmacists advise and the new prescription will be endorsed and submit to the ward afterward". "This is the beauty of technologies, we can now make all this process to happen within our finger tips, over the time of 1-2 minutes".
The forum concluded with the MPS and YPC AGM, providing a platform for reflection on past activities and strategic planning for the future.
In essence, the forum underscored the imperative of collaborative healthcare models in addressing contemporary challenges, while heralding the transformative potential of innovative partnerships and technologies.
The MPS Penang Area & YPC AGM 2024 was not only a celebration of unity and progress within the pharmacy community but also a testament to the invaluable support of industry leaders. Avant Health and Mega BiO-LiFE, prominent names in the healthcare sector, played a pivotal role in championing this event, underscoring their commitment to advancing the pharmacy profession.