PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry will open a new round of applications for permanent pharmacist positions next year, giving contract officers another opportunity once additional vacancies are approved.
The ministry explained in a statement that this follows the completion of the latest recruitment exercise, in which only 600 permanent posts were filled due to a limited number of vacancies.
The remaining contract pharmacists could not be absorbed as no further posts beyond the officially approved establishment were available.
It also confirmed that the reserve status for candidates lapsed in October 2025, in accordance with existing appointment procedures, the statement read, Bernama reported.
The ministry clarified that all eligible contract pharmacists, including those previously on a reserve list, must submit fresh applications when the new intake is announced.
“We remain committed to workforce planning that is transparent, merit-based and aligned with service needs and approved staffing capacity,” the statement added.
Recent media reports highlighted the predicament of 730 government pharmacists left in limbo after expected permanent placements failed to materialise.
Senator Dr RA Lingeswaran said they were among 1,330 “floating officers” slated for absorption in October, yet only 600 ultimately received posts.
