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DISPENSARYThe School of Pharmacy Newsletter • ISSUE JUNE 2015
BRINGING HEALTHCAREto the fore at Taman Putra DamaiPage 3
ENGGANG STAR PROJECT 2:Mental and Emotional Health Workshop
Students in Pharmacy course at Taylor’s University elects new student President
Instilling the joy in education amongst youths
Learning the basics in
SELF-DEFENCE
Forging connections with
DAY OF FUN
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"The roots of education are bitter,but the fruit is sweet."
- Aristotle
DISPENSARY CONTENTS
Dean’s Foreword 02
Bringing Healthcare to the 03-04 Fore at Taman Putra Damai
Students in Pharmacy 05 Course at Taylor’s University Elect New Student President
Instilling the Joy in Education 06 Amongst Youths
Enggang Star Project 2: 07Mental and Emotional Health Workshop
Learning the Basics 08in Self-defence
Forging Connections 09-10 with Day of Fun
Testing Knowledge 11in Pharmacy
Consumers Taking Generic 12or Original Drugs
Quality Use of Medicines; 13-14 The Need of Today
Lecturers and Students 15 Honoured at TUPSS Annual Dinner
Taylor’s Team Continues 16Up the Ranks at the National Pharmacy Sports Carnival 2015
The Editorial Team 17
04
05 07
09 15
Before we know it, Taylor’s University School of Pharmacy (SOP) is in its third issue of our own newsletter, Dispensary. The journey so far has indeed been remarkable and I would like to thank everyone for their continuous contribution and support to keep our partners, peers and parents abreast with the latest news in SOP.
A number of exciting events have taken place since our last issue: to kick-start the New Year, Taylor’s University signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with 6 multinational pharmaceutical companies for our Pharmaceutical Industry Student Adoption (PISA) programme. The PISA programme is an avenue for SOP as well as the School of Biosciences (SBS) students to be adopted by these companies - providing opportunities to work with them during their free time. It will give the students valuable exposure in a multinational pharmaceutical company and opportunities for employment.
The companies that have joined us are: Abbott Laboratories, Blackmores Malaysia, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Pfizer and Roche. Subsequently, we are happy to have Boehringer Ingelheim onboard with us. The programme has generated positive attention and support from the industry and we are hopeful of signing with more partners in the near future.
In February, we had panels from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and the Malaysian Pharmacy Board (MPB) visit the Lakeside campus for the final stages of accreditation for our programme. The members of the panel viewed our facilities, conversed with our staff and students and evaluated our curriculum. Currently, we are awaiting favourable response from the board in the coming weeks.
The following month saw 71 of our students sitting for the Qualifying Examination to Practice Pharmacy to be qualified professionals in Malaysia. I am proud to announce that the School received a 100% pass rate! In other news, the School has recently launched a student led activity called The Extra Mile Programme (TEMP) aimed to assist youths from underprivileged neighbourhoods and carry out activities with its residence to aspire for a better future through discipline and education.
Soon, SOP will be look to establish an inaugural Book Prize Award to one outstanding student supported by Syarikat Wellchem Sdn Bhd. The first recipient of this book prize will be announced by the end of the semester and will be annual event.
We hope you enjoy our issue and look forward to ‘see’ you in the next.
PROFESSOR DR. P.T. THOMASDean, School of Pharmacy, Taylor’s University
DEAN’S FOREWORD
Dean’s Foreword 02
Bringing Healthcare to the 03-04 Fore at Taman Putra Damai
Students in Pharmacy 05 Course at Taylor’s University Elect New Student President
Instilling the Joy in Education 06 Amongst Youths
Enggang Star Project 2: 07Mental and Emotional Health Workshop
Learning the Basics 08in Self-defence
Forging Connections 09-10 with Day of Fun
Testing Knowledge 11in Pharmacy
Consumers Taking Generic 12or Original Drugs
Quality Use of Medicines; 13-14 The Need of Today
Lecturers and Students 15 Honoured at TUPSS Annual Dinner
Taylor’s Team Continues 16Up the Ranks at the National Pharmacy Sports Carnival 2015
The Editorial Team 17
DISPENSARY 02
Taylor’s University recently collaborated with not-for-profit welfare organisation, Generasi Gemilang, in a medical outreach project to benefit the urban poor of Taman Putra Damai public housing project (PPR) in Lembah Subang. The medical outreach project was aimed at enhancing awareness on common health-related issues among the residents of PPR Taman Putra Damai.
The residents comprising children, adults and the elderly from all walks of life benefited from activities such as health screening tests to determine Body Mass Index (BMI) and body fat for adults, height and weight for children and blood glucose tests. Educational activities on Dengue Awareness and Mental Health Awareness as well as counselling sessions were also organised to engage with the residents, thus increasing the impact of the project.
The joint outreach programme with Generasi Gemilang was a combined effort involving 168 students and lecturers from Taylor’s University School of Biosciences, School of Medicine and School of Pharmacy.
Realising the benefit of such initiatives to communities in need and its students, Taylor’s University is currently gathering feedback from various relevant parties to plan more efficient and sustainable outreach programmes in the near future
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BRINGING HEALTHCARE TO THE FORE AT TAMAN PUTRA DAMAI
An exhibition by the Ministry of Health (MOH) Pharmaceutical Division on being informed of medicines available in the country
Residents learn the effectiveness of the Food Pyramid during the outreach
A volunteer from Taylor’s University educating a child on dengue awareness
Taman Putra Damai Residents craft their messages in support of a healthier life style and an environment without tobacco
Residents of Taman Putra Damai combine efforts to show their support in an anti-smoking campaign. Some have pledged to decrease the frequency of smoking
Children identify different ways in pursuing healthy life style, be it less sugar intake or more proactive activities
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Taylor’s University Students from the School of Medicine identifying residents’ glucose in blood via the Blood Glucose Testing during the outreach programme
Big, bright smiles from another team of incredible volunteers from School of Pharmacy and Miss Esmee!
A photo with the Deans (left to right): Dr. Anthony Ho, Taylor’s School of Biosciences; Professor Dr. Abdul Rahman Noor, Taylor’s School of Medicine and Professor Dr. P.T. Thomas, Taylor’s School of Pharmacy
Taylor’s University students with their poster during the Educational Activity - How Healthy Are You?
A group snapshot of Professor Dr. P.T. Thomas, Dean, School of Pharmacy; Dr. June Choon Wai Yee, Senior Lecturer, Ms. Peggy Hoo, Senior Lecturer and the awesome volunteers!
STUDENTS IN PHARMACY COURSE AT TAYLOR’S UNIVERSITY ELECTS NEW STUDENT PRESIDENT
DISPENSARY 05
Here is the organisational chart of TUPSS new committees: In September last year, the Taylor’s University Pharmacy Students’ Society (TUPSS) held its annual election. This year, there was a large turnout for the elections to take part in determining the most suitable candidate to represent students in the course for the next term.
Each candidate went through a series of interviews by previous board members from which, shortlisted applicants were given a chance to woo the crowd with their respective speeches to hopefully earn votes. Before the names were announced, former President, Yeong Jenning, gave his final speech.
TUPSS is proud to announce Alene Yong as the next President. She was the best candidate to lead the committee and to have everyone’s thoughts and concerns in mind. The School gave their final recognition to the previous committee, under Jenning’s leadership, for all their services to the student body.
Dr P.T. ThomasDean
Dr. Tan Shir LeyLecturer Advisor
Alene YongPresident
Ong Qi JunVice President Kelly Chan
Secretary Ng Kar WengTreasurer
Chan Jing ErHead of Editorial
Soh Yee WeyAssistant Secretary
Bong Zhang MinTEMP
Loke Ren ZhangProject Management
DISPENSARY 06
A group photo of youths from Enggang Star, committees and TEMP participants during the launch of ‘Enjoy & Achieve’ initiative
Youths from Enggang Star decorating the cardboard for the toy cars using colour pencils during the launch of ‘Enjoy & Achieve’ initiative
Members of TEMP starts the session with an ice-breaker where the youths from Enggang Star introduced themselves during the ‘Enjoy & Achieve’ initiative
In February 2015, a monthly event under The Extra Mile Programme (TEMP) called the Enggang Star Project was launched. The event was held at Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus with the theme “Enjoy and Achieve” - to let the youths experience the joy in learning. Members of TEMP hosted a total of 36 youths from Enggang Apartment.
One of the goals of this event was to mentor and guide the youths to find direction in their lives. TEMP worked together with youths to help them build self-esteem as well as confidence through the making of DIY Balloon Powered Toy cars out of waste materials. Through this activity, they learnt that items often thought of as “useless” can be reused to make better things and bring joy to others.
Overall, the event was a great experience and left a positive impact on the youths as well as the committee and the volunteers.
INSTILLING THE JOY IN EDUCATION AMONGST YOUTHS
Written by,LOW SEOW HUEY, Organising Chairperson of Enjoy and Achieve
ENGGANG STAR PROJECT 2: MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH WORKSHOP
A group photo of the Enggang Stars and committee during the recent workshop organised by TEMP
Teens discuss the various ways to handle emotions at the workshop organised by TEMP
Written by,SAMANTHA FOO, Organising Chairperson of TEMP “Mental and Emotional Health” workshop
The Extra Mile Programme (TEMP) organised a “Mental and Emotional Health” workshop, which aimed to help teens from Enggang Star to discover and develop self-identity, self-esteem, and to be ready to accept life’s challenges positively.
The Enggang Star Project spaning over 6 months beginning February and provides a door for Taylor's University student volunteers to engage on a monthly basis to harness positive and effective influences. TEMP is a platform set out by Taylor’s University Pharmacy Students’ Society (TUPSS) to encourage passionate Pharmacy students to organise and recruit volunteers to empower communities so that they may be the beginning of change in their communities.
Mr. Evan Kok Choon Foong, Counsellor, from Counseling and Psychology Services Centre (CPSC) was guest-speaker touching on “Emotions 101”. The audience was taught to understand, unpack and identify various positive and negative emotions through a series of activities and real-life examples. Before he ended his session, the teenagers were challenged to deal with their emotions to experience a more fulfilling life.
Other activities during the day included team building games, EQ and personality test, interactive video to further help the teenagers understand their state of emotions. They were also guided and challenged by their respective mentors of the day to take into consideration some rational actions through simulated scenarios before reacting to certain negative emotions.
The workshop concluded by having the Enggang youths join us for an object lesson of breaking and accepting whatever insufficiencies, limitations or imperfections that are hindering them from being confident. In this “Break Act” they were required to write some negative qualities they would like to forego on an ice cream stick and then break it. This symbolised their pact to break free of the negative qualities and to start living positively.
We wish to thank our generous sponsors - School of Pharmacy, 99 Speedmart and superb effort from our volunteers who made it possible for us to bless this group of 36 teenagers from the Enggang Star community.
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The TEMP activity for each month has a different theme. The theme of the month was self-awareness, protection and empowerment. In conjunction with the theme, a self-defence workshop was held in collaboration with the Taylor’s Muay Thai Club held at the Taylor’s University.
The turnout for the day was 28 youths aged between 8 to 17 years and included both boys and girls. The children learnt how to defend themselves against predicaments and how to get out of difficult situations through a series of drills and scenario re-enactments. We also engaged them ice-breaking activities to help build rapport between participants and helpers.
It was truly an educational and fun-filled day with many learning opportunities for both the participants and the facilitators. Overall, both the children and volunteers from TUPSS, SHINE and Taylor’s Muay Thai Club learned a lot from each other.
LEARNING THE BASICS IN SELF-DEFENCE
Participants from the Taylor’s Muay Thai Club demonstrate some self-defence moves with TEMP members
Participants listen intently on possible scenarios and how to handle the situation in the best possible manner without getting harmed
A group shot of students and participants after the eventful session on self-defence
DISPENSARY 09
The saying, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”, rings true for the newly elected committee at the Taylor’s University Pharmacy Students’ Society (TUPSS). As a way to forge connections with students within the School of Pharmacy (SOP), the team put together a sports day event for their fellow School of Pharmacy (SOP) friends and lecturers.
The event kicked with a badminton tournament held in the South Quay. Each team played a good game and fought hard to snag the champion title. The results were:
The fun continued the following weekend, 50 students and 9 lecturers gathered at the Taylor's Sports Complex at the Lakeside Campus. They were allocated into groups by colour - Red, Orange, Yellow and Green. The event began with attempts to remember each students’ names followed by a number of games like Act+React, Balloon Name Passing, Dance Competition, Running Man, Fill Up the Metre and more for students to build their relationship. Lecturers and staff of SOP joined in on the merriment to get to know the students better.
FORGING CONNECTIONS WITH DAY OF FUN
Champions of the Women’s Doubles - Neoh Elaine and Law Sok Ching showing off their medal
Champion of the Women’s Singles - Tan Hui Qi posing with her medal
MEN'S SINGLESChampion : Yeong Jenning Second place : Lee Kah Hung Third place : Vincent Ngu Fourth place : Kam Weng Hang
WOMEN'S SINGLESChampion : Tan Hui Qi Second place : Bong Zhang Min Third place : Ho Ka Mun
MEN'S DOUBLESChampion : Tan Kee Teng/ Mohammed Aqil Bin M FathilSecond place : Ng Kah Weng/ Lee Kah HungThird place : Chia Kai Xiang/ Yeong Jenning
WOMEN'S DOUBLESChampion : Neoh Elaine/ Law Sok ChingSecond place : Alene Yong/ Bong Zhang Min Third place : Chen Seat Theng/ Ng Wen Yia
MIXED DOUBLESChampion : Yeong Jenning/ Tan Hui Qi Second place : Loke Ren Zhang/ Law Sok ChingThird place : Koh Wei Qin/ Ho Ka MunFourth place : Ng Kah Weng/ Neoh Elaine
Champion of Men’s Singles in Badminton - Yeong Jenning
Students try their best to remember their coursemates’ names – however, some failed and endured face painting with toothpaste
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Groups of students and lecturers show off their moves in a dance-off Orange House wins 4th place in overall activities of the day, walking away with prizes such as Big Apple Donuts , cake rolls, food hampers and coupons
Red House wins 3rd place, walking away with prizes including small pizzas, sweets, seaweed snacks, drinks and coupons
Green House wins 2nd place, walking away with their prizes including regular pizzas, snacks from Pocky, drinks and coupons
Yellow House emerged as Champions, walking away with large pizzas, cookies from Famous Amos, drinks, and chocolates from Cadbury
A group snapshot of participants during the ice breaking session organised by Taylor’s University Pharmacy Students’ Society (TUPSS) committee
DISPENSARY 11
TESTING KNOWLEDGE IN PHARMACYLast year, Taylor’s University Pharmacy Students’ Society (TUPSS) organised a Pharmacy Quiz, an annual event among Taylor’s students.
There were 40 participants, divided into 8 groups consisting of 5 members each competing to be the next Champion.
The event looked to test the knowledge of the students, and most importantly, to bond with participants from different batches. The competition had one preliminary round to determine the best four teams to enter the second round. The team with the highest accumulated marks of both sessions would be deemed to be the winner.
Front row, from left to right: Dr. Hazniza, Universiti Malaya; Ms. Hoo Yoon Fong, Senior Lecturer, Taylor’s School of Pharmacy and Ms. Wong Pei Nee, Senior Lecturer, Taylor’s School of Pharmacy were judges at the Taylor’s University Pharmacy Students’ Society (TUPSS) Pharmacy Quiz 2014
Winners: Group G, consisting of Ng Kar Weng, Yeong Jenning , Ch’ng Sheet Ling, Chan Qing Wei, Bong Zhang Min were named winners for the Pharmacy Quiz 2014
Students put their knowledge to the test at the Pharmacy Quiz 2014
The panel of judges were Ms. Wong Pei Nee and Ms. Hoo Yoon Fong, both Senior Lecturers here at Taylor’s School of Pharmacy (SOP) and Dr. Hazniza from Universiti Malaya. They were tasked to assess each group and individual students on their knowledge in pharmaceuticals.
The team that emerged victorious each walked away with RM150 cash and trophies.Group G• Ng Kar Weng• Bong Zhang Min• Yeong Jenning • Chan Qing Wei• Ch’ng Sheet Ling
Individual categories• Individual Champion – Ch’ng Sheet Ling walks away with RM50 cash and trophy• First Runner Up – Low Yuet Man walks away with RM30 cash and trophy• Second Runner Up – Samuel Chew walks away with RM20
DISPENSARY 12
CONSUMERS TAKING GENERIC OR ORIGINAL DRUGSOn 22nd March 2015, an article written by Professor Dr. P.T. Thomas, Dean, Taylor’s School of Pharmacy (SOP) was published in The Star newspaper on the topic of generic or original drugs.
Generic or Ori – which is better?When one hears the term "generic" especially in relation to medications, one often has the perception of inferior quality and lesser effectiveness compared to the original. However, this is not so. In fact, in many countries, including developed countries, generic medicines are encouraged and widely used in their healthcare systems.
What is a generic medicine?The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes a generic medicine as a pharmaceutical product, usually intended to be interchangeable with an innovator product that is manufactured without a license from the innovator company and marketed after the expiry of the patent or other exclusive rights. The National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau of Malaysia defines a generic medicine as a product that is essentially similar to a currently registered product in Malaysia. A simple definition for generic medicine would be that it is a medicine that is equivalent to an innovator medicine and which is manufactured after the expiry of the patent granted to the manufacturer of the innovator product.
Why are generic drugs less costly?The discovery and development of a new drug is a long, tedious and expensive process. Among others it involves synthesis, chemical identification and purification of the chemical, development into a pharmaceutical dosage form (tablet, capsule, injection etc.), testing in animals and finally testing/trials in humans. All of these processes can take up to 15 years and a total expenditure estimated to be between USD800 million to USD1 billion. For its efforts in developing the new drug, the research-based manufacturer is granted a patent for the drug and given the sole authority to manufacture and market the drug for the duration of the patent. This gives the research-based pharmaceutical company sufficient time to recoup the costs of development of the drug and also make a reasonable profit. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) provides this protection to the innovator company to encourage the development of new drugs and understandably, the cost of the brand name medicine during this monopoly period tends to be very high.
After the patent period which typically runs for about 5 to 15 years, the manufacturer of brand name medicine loses this monopoly as other ‘generic’ manufacturers are allowed to manufacture the same medicine. Manufactures of generic medicines don’t have to go through the whole expensive process again because the chemistry, manufacturing method of the drug, safety and efficacy of the drug has already been established. They essentially can obtain the active ingredient, prepare it in a similar dosage form and start manufacturing them in large quantities. They do not have to recoup any expensive investment of time and money, unlike the innovator companies. They only have to show evidence that their generic drug is similar to the innovator drug chemically and also in terms of attaining the same concentrations in the body, both in rate and extent. This is a process which is of much shorter duration and significantly less costly. Therefore, manufacturers of generic medicines are able to market the generic medicines at a significantly lower price (20 to 90%) than the innovator drug. However, less costly does not mean inferior quality.
Are generic medicines less effective?In Malaysia, the generic products are subjected to very stringent regulatory control by the Drug Control Authority (DCA). A generic drug must contain identical amounts of the same active ingredient in the same dosage form and with the same route of administration and also meet the standard for strength, purity, quality and identity. The manufacturers are required to carry out a bioequivalence test, a ‘limited’ clinical trial to show that the generic medicine performs exactly the same as the brand medicine. A drug produces its action based on the properties of the active ingredient and the concentration of the drug in the blood. When a drug achieves a certain threshold concentration (referred to as the minimum effective concentration) it produces its desired action. If it goes far above the desired concentration, it will produce toxic actions. Therefore, it is important that the drug concentration in the blood is maintained within a certain range. In Malaysia, the manufacturers of all generic drugs have to show that their products achieve the blood concentration in humans to the same rate, extent and within the same duration as the innovator drug or other reference product. If it does, then the generic drug is deemed to be bioequivalent to the innovator drug and therefore expected to have similar clinical effects as the innovator drug. If the generic medicine manufacturer is unable to show this, then the medicine will not be registered and will never be allowed to be sold in the country.
Most Malaysian pharmaceutical manufacturers are producers of generic medicines. Malaysia is a member of the Pharmaceutical Inspection Cooperation Scheme (PIC/S) and what this means is that the pharmaceutical manufacturers in Malaysia have to comply with high international standards of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). These standards apply not only to locally produced generic medicines but generic medicines imported from other countries must also be manufactured according to PIC/S standards and be subject to inspection by PIC/S member countries.
Although a bioequivalent generic medicine is equivalent to the innovator medicine, it may differ in appearance (colour, shape, markings) and packing from the innovator product. These may give rise to a difference in perception (either negative or positive) about the quality and efficacy of the medicine. Perception, strangely enough can affect the way the medicine works in our body. Some medicines are more susceptible to this effect as compared to others. In most countries, the prescriber is given the right to decide if a particular brand name drug is to be given to the patient.
Previous studies done in Malaysia have shown that the level of awareness of generic medicines among the public and health professionals is generally low. In a study carried out among customers at community pharmacies, more than 65% of the customers did not know what generic medicines were. However, more than 80% of those who had used generic medicines felt that they worked well. Worldwide there is an overall increase in patient confidence and knowledge with regards to generic medicines especially in developed countries. In Malaysia, while the overall usage of generic medicines is relatively high, especially in the public sector, the level of knowledge about generic medicines needs to be improved. Studies have shown that some prescribers had doubts about the quality, safety and efficacy of generic medicines. It is important therefore for health professionals, doctors and pharmacists, to be educated about generic medicines and in turn provide the required information and educate the patients.
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In conjunction with World Pharmacy Day, Professor Dr. P.T. Thomas, Dean, Taylor’s School of Pharmacy (SOP) shared an article on the need for separation of prescribing and dispencing medicines, which appeared in The Star newspaper
QUALITY USE OF MEDICINES; THE NEED OF TODAY
However, having good quality, safe and efficacious medicines by itself does not guarantee good benefits for the patient. The best medicines if not used and taken appropriately will not provide the intended benefit.
This is where the aspect of Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) comes in. QUM is about the use of medicines by the health professionals and the patients and carers and includes the use of prescription, non-prescription, complimentary and traditional medicines, the selection of appropriate medicines, choice of medicine, if a medicine is necessary, ensuring patients and carers have access to medicines and adherence to instructions on how to take the medicines.
As stated earlier, Malaysia has good quality medicines; however, we have much to do towards QUM.
Studies conducted in the Ulu Langat district have shown that 53% of patients with diabetes and 46.6% patients with hypertension do not take their medications as directed.
This poor adherence to medications is probably one of the contributing factors to the finding in the same studies that only 23% of patients with diabetes achieve target HbA1c levels (an indication of diabetes control) and only 53% of patients with hypertension achieve target blood pressure levels.
Although cost of medicines can be a factor that affects adherence, in these studies it was not a factor because the medicines were all supplied at no cost through government clinics.
The best high quality medicines do not work if they are not taken as directed! QUM also relates to the use of necessary medicines only. Common cold is almost always caused by a virus and it is not quality use of medicine to prescribe antibiotics (which do not work against viruses) for the treatment of the symptoms of common cold.
However, a study conducted in the Klang Valley showed that almost 80% of the time a patient with the symptoms of a common cold was prescribed with antibiotics.
More shockingly, 10% of the time the patient was also prescribed with corticosteroids which are again not at all indicated for the treatment of common cold.
Interventions that workThere are 2 interventions that have shown very promising and encouraging results in improving outcomes and adherence.
Pharmacists in Ministry of Health hospitals manage and run Medication Therapy Adherence Clinics (MTACs).
Patients who are non-adherent or who are having problems with their medications or are not obtaining the desired outcomes from their medicines are referred to the MTAC for consultation with the pharmacists.
alaysia is recognized as having a very efficient and reliable regulatory framework to ensure the quality of medicines available in the country. The legal muscle for this process
is provided by the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations (CDCR) 1984, the task is entrusted to the Drug Control Authority and the work is carried out by the National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau of the Ministry of Health.
This was not always the case. Prior to 1985 and the enactment of the CDCR, almost anyone could market or manufacture a medicine in our country as long as it was not adulterated or did not contain a banned substance.
This resulted in a situation, prior to 1985, where some drugs not allowed to be marketed in some countries were sold (or “dumped”) in Malaysia. Medicines were often manufactured in those times in less than ideal manufacturing facilities. However, after the CDCR, a process of registration of all medicines sold in Malaysia was implemented, and only registered medicines were allowed to be sold in here. All medicines were evaluated for safety, quality and efficacy before they were registered.
Simultaneously, both local and international manufacturing facilities wishing to market their products in Malaysia, had to comply with recognized international standards of Good Manufacturing Practice. Additionally, Malaysia is one of only few countries that have embarked on the registration of traditional medicines after evaluation for safety and quality.
Although there are reports of the presence of counterfeit medicines in Malaysia (The Star, Sept 16), these are limited to certain fast-moving products, and the incidence is relatively small compared to some other countries in Asia and Africa and non-existent in government facilities, private pharmacies and clinics.
Consumers must only obtain/buy their medicines from these outlets.
A registered medicine can be identified by a distinct hologram coupled with a unique registration number that consists of the letters MAL, followed by a series of numbers and then another one or more letters.
The same standards are applied to all medicines, locally manufactured and imported.
In fact, as Malaysia is one of the few countries in Asia that belong to the select 44 nation grouping called ‘Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme’, our local manufacturers are known to adhere to one of the highest standards of manufacturing in the world and they export to more than 60 other countries worldwide.
More recently, the pharmaceutical sector has also been identified as a key Entry Point Project under the National Key Economic Areas of the government’s Economic Transformation Programme.
M
The pharmacists identify factors that contribute to poor outcomes and adherence and then propose interventions (which may include communication with the prescriber), educate patients on their health condition and medicines and the importance of taking their medications as directed.
The recommendations from the pharmacists are well received by the prescribers and patient outcomes are improved.
The results from these MTACs have been very encouraging and pharmacists at various govern hospitals now rum MTACs for a number of conditions including diabetes, hypertension, asthma, warfarin and heart failure.
The second successful intervention was seen from the Cardiovascular Risk Factors Intervention Strategies trial that was carried out a few years ago in the Klang Valley.
In this study, pharmacists and dieticians provided service in their area of expertise at clinics of general practitioners, to patients with diabetes, hypertension and elevated cholesterol.
In as early as six months, the patients who received intervention by all three health professionals, showed significantly better health outcomes and adherence as compared to patients who were seen only by a doctor.
Such findings have been reported all over the world and thus interprofessional collaboration in the treatment of patients, where each health professional contributes their expertise to the treatment of the patient, is now a practice that is promoted and is a direct contributor to QUM.
In fact, to promote this collaboration early in their professional practice, students who are going to be health professionals are encouraged to have interprofessional learning (IPL. IPL is even made mandatory by some professional bodies to be included as part of the curriculum.
Pharmacists play an important role in QUM. The National Medicines policy of the government which was accepted as a policy by the government in 2006 after a series of consultations with all health professionals stated that “Currently, medical and dental practitioners are allowed to dispense medicines for the treatment of their patients. Nevertheless, ultimately, to improve quality use of medicines, prescribing and dispensing functions must be separated”.
While this policy statement was an important acknowledgement of the role of the pharmacist in QUM, it is yet to be implemented. The separation of dispensing and prescribing is not primarily an issue of “rights’ or “sacred duty” of any health profession or even the convenience of the patient.
It is an issue of quality use of medicines for the benefit of the patient so that our population can get maximum benefit from the good quality medicines available in the country.
When all health professionals work in their area of expertise and patients are given the opportunity to be served by all health professionals, quality use of medicines will be enhanced and result in better health outcomes.
Pharmacists in more developed countries like the US are providing immunisations and in the UK, they are trained for limited prescribing.
The longer the separation of dispensing and prescribing is delayed, the longer we delay the full extent of quality use of medicines.
There are adequate numbers of pharmacists in Malaysia who possess the required skills to contribute significantly to QUM. They only need to be given the opportunity to do so.
Dr P.T. Thomas is Dean and Professor, School of PharmacyTaylor’s University, Lakeside Campus
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Decorated ballroom at Pearl International Hotel to welcome students of SOP, celebrating their achievements for the year and to bid farewell to departing and final year students
A group snapshot of Year 4 (left) and Year 3 (right) Pharmacy students at the recent SOP’s 4th Annual Dinner
A group photo with Year 2 (left) and Year 1 (right) Pharmacy students at the recent SOP’s 4th Annual Dinner
Last but not least, SOP would like to thank all sponsors who helped to make this event a success. Special mention to:
On April 2015, over 200 guests attended the Taylor’s University School of Pharmacy (SOP) 4th Annual Dinner held at Pearl International Hotel for the first time. The annual dinner, themed “Walk of Fame”, was held to demonstrate profound appreciation to lecturers and students who have worked hard and studied fervently throughout the year. Moreover, the event was an opportunity for pharmacy students and lecturers to mingle as well as to bid farewell to students that were graduating this year.
The night began with a photo session, followed by video presentations and live performances by different batches of students undergoing their degree in Pharmacy throughout the night. The Dean’s List Award was announced during the night after which, staff and lecturers in SOP were presented with tokens of appreciation for their support in academic guidance to their students.
The highlight of the event was a send-off session with farewell videos, paper dolls, flowers, a heartfelt toast and a farewell song presented to the Year 2 Pharmacy students – departing to Cardiff to continue their studies. The farewell was also extended to the Year 4 Pharmacy students on their way to graduation later this year.
LECTURERS AND STUDENTS HONOURED AT TUPSS ANNUAL DINNER
Written by,NG KAR WENGOrganising Chairperson / TreasurerTaylor’s University Pharmacy Student’s Society
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A snapshot of participants at the National Pharmacy Sports Carnival 2015 at University of Science Malaysia, Penang
A group photo of the Taylor’s School of Pharmacy (SOP) Petanque Team eagerly waiting to compete at the National Pharmacy Sports Carnival 2015
The track team ready to give their best at the National Pharmacy Sports Carnival 2015
Winners of the table tennis competition – for women’s category was Caroline Law (left), winning a gold medal and for the men’s category was Vincent Ngu (right) at the recent National Pharmacy Sports Carnival 2015
In January, a cluster of 34 Taylor’s University School of Pharmacy (SOP) students took part in the 8th annual National Pharmacy Sports Carnival (NPSC) at University of Science Malaysia (USM), Penang. The team took part in table tennis, badminton, petanque, volleyball and track and field events.
Throughout the competition, Taylor’s team emerged as Champions in table tennis - walking away with two gold medals. Overall, the team ranked 7th place out of 12 groups, climbing up two places from last year.
As Captain of Taylor’s Team, I felt proud of the team as the athletes showed their hard work, enthusiasm, sheer determination as well as good teamwork throughout the three days despite the challenges. We have definitely improved, especially in facing challenges and learned the importance of teamwork in a team event. I am confident that with enthusiasm of our students and early training, the students of SOP will be able to grow and continue up the ranks in the future NPSC.
TAYLOR’S TEAM CONTINUES UP THE RANKS AT THE NATIONAL PHARMACY SPORTS CARNIVAL 2015
Written byVINCENT NGU, Captain of Taylor’s Team
DISPENSARY 16
THE EDITORIAL TEAMEditor-in-chiefDr.Syed Atif Abbas
EditorsDr. Narendra Babu S.NDr. Naveen Kumar H.S
ContributorsProfessor Dr. P.T.ThomasMs Chan Jing ErMs Cheah Ka XinMr Kam Wen HangMs Low Seow HueyMr Loke Ren ZhangMr Ng Kar WengMs Samantha Foo Yee WenMr Vincent Ngu
PhotographyTaylor’s University Pharmacy Student Society (TUPSS) Editorial Teamtu-pss.blogspot.com
DisclaimerThis is the personal opinion of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of Taylor’s School of Pharmacy.
TAYLOR’S SCHOOL OF PHARMACYTaylor’s University, Lakeside CampusNo.1, Jalan Taylor's, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul EhsanT +603 5629 5000 F +603 5629 5001www.taylors.edu.my
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