‘Pharmacists, healthcare services still vital post-Covid-19’

GEORGE TOWN: Although Covid-19 is no longer a public health emergency of international concern, pharmacists in the country will continue to provide healthcare support post pandemic, says the Malaysian Pharmacist Society.

Its Penang branch deputy chairman Tan Chan Wei said such roles would include providing supportive healthcare services and supervision of healthcare products in the market.

He said the country has moved on from the pandemic but it is now stepping into an ageing society.

“Statistics show that the country may soon become an ageing nation, with 15% of the adult population above 60 by 2030.

“We will continue to support the community by providing an elderly-friendly environment, apart from continuing to look after and acting as guardians in the industry.

“There is a need for awareness on proper healthcare and we will also help to supervise sales of supplements to ensure a healthy society,” he said during the Penang Pharmacist Convention 2023 at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas yesterday.

During the opening of the event, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the convention allowed for stakeholders to engage, share knowledge, insights and experiences to embody their commitment to the field of pharmacy and drive future transformations and innovations.

“Pharmacists are the frontline healthcare professionals who bridge the gap between patients and medical knowledge, offering guidance and reassurance to the public.

“Penang is set to become the MedTech Hub of Asia as the state’s exports in professional, scientific and controlling instruments and apparatus including medical devices continue to rise.

“According to InvestPenang, Penang’s exports in medical devices make up about 65% on average of Malaysia’s total in the MedTech industry between 2017 and 2021,” he said in his speech.