Pharmacy Course in Malaysia

1. What Is Pharmacy?

Pharmacy combines the knowledge of using, storing, preserving, and prescribing medicine. In this field, you will focus on using the drug as treatment and its pathological process. Thus, it highlights the entire journey of the medicine, including discovery, manufacturing, disposal and control

Why it matters?

• Pharmacy is an integral part of healthcare. Not every sickness needs a clinical doctor. Pharmacists also ensure safe and effective use of medications for the public. 

• Pharmacists also work with healthcare professionals as key communicating points. For example, doctors prescribe medications and pharmacists explain how to take them, adjust dosages, and provide personalised advice.

• You are also a catalyst to breakthrough research for public health. Those in the pharmaceutical science realm contribute in the development of new drugs and cures. 

2. Where To Study Pharmacy Courses In Malaysia?

Here are 10 best universities to study Pharmacy courses in Malaysia.

• #1 Monash University Malaysia
• #2 IMU University
• #3 MAHSA University
• #4 University Of Cyberjaya (UOC)
• #5 University Of Nottingham Malaysia
• #6 AIMST University
• #7 Quest International University (QIU)
• #8 Taylor’s University
• #9 UCSI University
• #10 SEGI University
• BONUS #1 — Universiti Malaya (UM)
• BONUS #2 — Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

10 Best Universities For Pharmacy Courses In Malaysia

3. Pharmacy Course Pathways & Entry Requirements

There are mainly 2 pathways to a career as a Pharmacist.

Pathway 1: SPM/O-Levels ➔ Pre-University/Foundation ➔ Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy

After your SPM or O-levels, a common entry path to a Pharmacy Course is to apply for a Pre–University or Foundation in Science course. 

As an SPM/O Levels School leaver, you will need the following to enter Pre-University or Foundation:

• 5B (SPM or Equivalent) or 3 B4 (UEC),
• B Grades in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths/ Add-Maths and one other subject)
• C Grades in BM and English

A Pre-University or Foundation course usually takes 1-2 years to complete and the Pharmacy Board Malaysia (PBM) requires Biology, Chemistry and Physics/ Maths to be taken with a B Grade in the Chemistry subject for your Pre-University or Foundation. Refer to this table for the entry requirements of various qualifications.

Qualification	Minimum Requirements
A-level / STPM	Minimum Grades: BBB/ ABC/ AAC, or CGPA 3.0 in the above subjects.
UEC	B4 in the above subjects with Maths and Advanced Maths.
Foundation in Science	CGPA 3.0 and above with at least a B in Chemistry.
AUSMAT / SACE	ATAR 75% and must include the above subjects
CIMP	At least an 80% average including the above subjects.
International Baccalaureate Diploma	At least 30 overall points with 2 Science subjects or Maths at Higher Level (HL) and 1 Science subject at Standard Level (SL) and at least 4 points in Biology, Chemistry and Physics/ Maths.

Pathway 2: SPM/O-Levels ➔ Diploma in Pharmacy ➔ Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy

An alternative pathway is by enrolling in a Diploma Course before continuing with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy. 

A Diploma in Pharmacy usually takes 2-3 years to complete. However, take note that if you continue to your Degree, there are no exemptions given.

Your Diploma results is recommended to score at least CGPA 3.70 to enter into a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy.

You can also opt to enter the workforce early with a Diploma in Pharmacy, but it isn’t highly recommended as some advanced or specialised role require you to possess a Degree qualification.

4. Steps & Accreditation To Be A Pharmacist In Malaysia

It takes around 7 to 8 years for one to become a fully registered pharmacist in Malaysia.

Step 1: Enrol Into A Pharmacy Degree Course

You must ensure your course is recognised by the Pharmacy Board of Malaysia (PBM). Otherwise, you cannot begin your one-year training and exam designated by the board.

Step 2: Registration with the PBM

You must register with the PBM before you 

• Sit for your Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE)
• Undergo your Provisionally Registered Pharmacist (PRP) Training
• Become a practitioner

Step 3: Provisionally Registered Pharmacist (PRP) Training

The 1-year PRP training sheds light on how pharmacists work across various settings. You get to work with experienced professionals and explore your career options. 

In Malaysia, there are over 300 licensed training premises, including

• 113 government hospitals
• 4 Public Institution
• 192 Government Health Clinic

*Note: Visit this list to choose a site for your training. 

Step 4: Compulsory Service

After your PRP training, you will serve another year in a recognised healthcare setting. The process usually takes place in public sectors under the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Then, you can obtain your full PBM registration and become a licensed pharmacist.

Step 5: Specialisation

You also have the option to specialise after your undergraduate pharmacy degree. The postgraduate studies last for a year or two. Once completed, you will undergo the PQE exam, PRP training and compulsory service.

5. What You Learn In A Pharmacy Course

Here are some examples of the subjects you’d be expected to study in a Pharmacy course. Do note that different universities may have their own set of syllabi as well. 

• Advanced Drug Delivery
• Antimicrobial and Cancer Drugs
• Applied Pharmacotherapeutics
• Basic Principles of Pharmacology
• Biotechnology & Pharmacogenomics
• Cancer Chemotherapy
• Chemistry of Natural Products
• Clinical Pharmacokinetics
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Cosmeceuticals
• Disaster & Relief Medicine (DRM)
• Dispensing Practice
• Dosage Form Design
• Drug Discovery & Development
• Gastrointestinal & Hepatobiliary Disorders
• Genetics and Molecular Cell Biology
• Geriatric Pharmacy
• Hospital Pharmacy Practice
• Neuropsychiatry Disorders
• Non-prescription Drugs
• Oncology & Haematological Malignancies
• Pharmaceutical Compounding and Extemporaneous Preparations
• Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry
• Pharmacology of Cardiovascular, Renal and Respiratory Systems
• Pharmacology of Gastrointestinal, Endocrine, Musculoskeletal and Reproductive Systems
• Pharmacology of Haematology System
• Pharmacology of Nervous System
• Pharmacy Legislation & Ethics
• Physicochemical Properties of Drugs and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
• Public Health & Disease Prevention
• Skin Disorders
• Toxicology

6. Why Should I Study Pharmacy?

Here are 3 reasons to study a Pharmacy Course:

• Contribute First-Hand To Society – This field puts you on the frontline of disease prevention and treatment. You could be the person who discovers a cure for a disease. Plus, your expertise in drug treatment will help educate the public about medication. 

• Able To Pursue Diverse Career Options – A Pharmacy course teaches you more than just dispensing medicine behind a counter. It can open up many career opportunities. See the career opportunities section further below in this article!

• Less Stressful With Career Stability – Compared to other healthcare roles, Pharmacy is not as stressful. Pharmacist roles are available across various settings. Moreover, COVID-19 boosted remote work for pharmacists, such as inpatient services for hospitals and remote mail-order verifications. 

7. RIASEC Compatibility To A Pharmacy Course

The John Holland Theory of Career Choice states that in choosing a career, people will choose one similar to their personality to ensure job satisfaction, job performance, and career success. The test generates 6 different personality types:

• Realistic (R)
• Investigative (I)
• Artistic (A)
• Social (S)
• Enterprising (E)
• Conventional (C)

With the RIASEC Test, the 6 personalities can generate up to 720 combination possibilities to provide career compatibility. You can try the test yourself here.

3 key personality traits from the RIASEC test you should possess if you are interested in studying a pharmacy course are: 

INVESTIGATIVE

• Pharmacy requires problem-solving and understanding of complex medical and chemical processes. Individuals with this trait know that attention to detail is critical to ensure accurate prescriptions and avoiding errors. 

SOCIAL

• Pharmacists deal with patients and need empathy to understand concerns and provide the appropriate guidance. Strong communication skills are also vital in explaining medical information clearly, and they also apply when working with fellow healthcare professionals. 

CONVENTIONAL

• Strong reliability and adherence to ethical standards is very important to a pharmacist, as working in the field requires working with regulatory frameworks and guidelines. 

*Note: These personalities are a guideline on the skills you need for the field.

8. Career Opportunities For Pharmacy

Diverse career options and a flexible schedule are not the only good news for students of the Pharmacy course. The Malaysian Institute of Labour Market Information & Analysis (ILMIA) saw 815 openings in Quarter 4 of 2023. Moreover, KL, Selangor, Johor, Penang and Sabah were the hiring states at that time.

Here are some areas of interest where the pharmacy course can provide to you:

Areas of Opportunity	Types of Roles
General Practice	Community Pharmacist, Hospital Pharmacist
Specialisations	Clinical Pharmacist, Oncology Pharmacist, Paediatric Pharmacist
Interdisciplinary & Niche Roles	Pharmainformatics Specialist, Pharmacocybernetics Specialist, Regulatory Affairs Officer
Emerging Fields	Precision Medicine Specialist, Pharmacogenomics Specialist, Telepharmacist
Research & Academia	Clinical Pharmaceutical Scientist, Pharmaceutical Researcher
Entrepreneurship	Business Owner

Recommended Course Guides

Looking for other related courses? Here are various medical and health sciences-related course guides you should check out:

• Medicine Course In Malaysia

• Dentistry Course In Malaysia

• Chiropractic Course In Malaysia

• Nursing Course In Malaysia

• Biomedical Science Course In Malaysia

• Traditional Chinese Medicine Course In Malaysia

• Pharmaceutical Science Course In Malaysia

• Physiotherapy Course In Malaysia

• Sports Science Course In Malaysia

• Optometry Course In Malaysia

• Nutrition Course In Malaysia

• Occupational Safety & Health Course In Malaysia

• Occupational Therapy Course In Malaysia

If you’re still not sure what to study, we have many other Course Guides that will provide more light on the subject matter. Share with your friends!

We also took the liberty to compile all our University Guides and Course Fees Guides so you don’t have to go anywhere else!

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About the Author:

Ken Hoong is the co-founder of Uni Enrol and a contributing writer. Drawing on his close work with Uni Enrol’s counsellors, he brings keen insight into Malaysia’s evolving private higher education landscape and the shifting preferences of students in learning and career choices.