In response to the recent illegal confinement of a Health Ministry enforcement pharmacist, the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society (MPS) president, Amrahi Buang, has said he takes the matter very seriously because it involves the safety of civil servants on official duty.
He has urged the analysis and improvement of the existing standard operating procedure (SOP) to safeguard the pharmacists performing their official duties. Serious attention needs to be given to this matter as the pharmacy officer was serving the nation and its people by investigating the premises for suspected illegal drug storage.
Speaking to reporters, he also stressed that violence towards health workers is a grave matter and the perpetrator of the crime should be charged with obstructing the officer, harming the officer and for possession of illegal drugs.
As the national association for pharmacists, Amrahi stated that “MPS strongly urges pharmacist performing high risk duties such as conducting raids, to not take their safety for granted. They should work in teams as well as have Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) officers present during their raids.”
When asked if the pharmacist should to be held responsible for conducting a raid without back-up, Amrahi pointed out that, “We should not speculate on what occurred and should wait for an official statement by the Health Ministry.”
In order to protect enforcement pharmacist on duty, Amrahi concluded that the ministry should have a zero tolerance approach against violence towards its officers as well as have measures in place to prevent such incidences from happening again.
The Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society in brief
The Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society (MPS) is the national association for pharmacists formed in 1967 to promote and maintain the honor and interests of the profession of pharmacy in the country. The society plays an important role to further the development of pharmacy and pharmaceutical education and to foster intra-professional relationship among members.
It strives to improve the Science of Pharmacy for the general welfare of the public by fostering the publication of scientific and professional information relating to the practice of pharmacy and aid in the development and stimulation of discovery, invention and research.
The society also represents the interests of its members and also the general public by having representatives at the Pharmacy Board and the Poisons Board of the Health Ministry, and other consumer-related interest groups. The society also confers Honorary membership, Fellowship and Awards to deserving pharmacists. For students, the MPS presents the annual MPS Gold Medallist Award to deserving graduating students from local pharmacy institutions.
Membership is opened to all registered pharmacists in Malaysia.
There is also a category for student membership. Through this channel students can focus their activities through various interest groups (NoGAPS, IPSF, Student Chapter). Special consideration is also given to students to attend MPS-organised activities either through complimentary invitation, or at special student rates.
The society is actively engaging pharmacists in Continuing Professional Development activities. Throughout the year courses and seminars are being organised to facilitate pharmacists participation. It is also pursuing accreditation of pharmacies for standardisation of practice.
