Expanding role of community pharmacists

ARE community pharmacists in Malaysia practising outside international norms and within Malaysian pharmacy laws? Amid the discussions prior to the enforcement of the mandatory price labelling for medicines, there were instances when pharmacy practice in the private sector was viewed inaccurately, with the focus being on the term “retail”.

Registered pharmacists in Malaysia undergo five years of academic instruction and training before registration. Hence, they are well versed in all aspects of medicines as well as disease states. However, they do not diagnose, which is the sole responsibility of medical doctors.