02-08-2025
Sabah minister calls for boost in local pharmacists
From left: Organising chairperson Andy Chi, organising chairperson Siew Len, Deputy Director of Health, Dr Liau Siow Yen Sabah (Pharmacy), Sabah Pharmaceutical Society president Hiew Chui Li and Vice President 1 of Malaysian Pharmacists Society, Susan Pan at the opening ceremony of the 36th Sabah State Pharmacy Conference.
KOTA KINABALU (Aug 2): Community Development and People's Wellbeing Datuk James Ratib disclosed that only 26.3 per cent of government-employed pharmacists in Sabah are locals.
He advocated for the establishment of a School of Pharmacy at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), increased investment in local talent development, and more scholarships for Sabah-born students pursuing pharmacy.
Additionally, he proposed that job opportunities in community pharmacies be prioritised for Sabahans.
Citing observations in Kota Kinabalu and other districts, he noted that many pharmacies are operated by non-Sabahan business owners.
To address this, he supported a policy that at least 70 per cent of community pharmacies should be owned by local citizens, framing it not only as an economic measure but also a matter of health sovereignty.
James, who is Sabah Health Exco, stated this in his speech for the 36th Sabah State Pharmacy Conference.
The conference, which is held from August 1 to 3 at the Le Meridien Hotel, brings together pharmacists from across Malaysia to advance healthcare practices and community engagement.
This is a collaboration effort between Sabah Pharmaceutical Society and Sabah State Health Ministry (Pharmacy Services Division).
The conference began with a heartfelt visit to the Holy Family Residence in Papar, where pharmacists conducted home medication reviews, educated residents on medication adherence, and spread cheer to the elderly community.
This initiative showcased the profession's growing role in direct patient care and community service.
The official opening ceremony was graced by the Deputy Director of Health (Pharmacy), Dr Liau Siow Yen, who represented James.
In his speech, James expressed his gratitude to pharmacists, acknowledging them as vital guardians of medication management and one of key players in the healthcare system.
He emphasized the crucial role pharmacists play in ensuring continuous medicine supply, quality assurance of pharmaceuticals, and being primary care providers.
He called for stronger collaboration between public and private sector pharmacists in areas such as follow-up therapy, health screening, and patient education.
Such partnerships, he said, are essential to improve treatment outcomes, medication adherence, and the overall quality of life for all segments of society.
James also recognized the increasing involvement of community pharmacists in health screenings, lifestyle counselling, and outreach to remote areas. However, he voiced concern about the ongoing challenges in the pharmaceutical workforce within the government sector.
Organising chairperson Siew Len extended a warm welcome to delegates from Labuan, Pahang and Terengganu.
The conference featured a wide array of topics including Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Artificial Intelligence applications in healthcare, a session on military pharmacy experiences, and a human resources workshop conducted by the renowned 'Aunty HR.'
With the theme 'Think Health, Think Pharmacist', the three-day conference aimed to empower pharmacists to become more well-rounded healthcare professionals, capable of addressing both clinical needs and broader public health concerns.
The event also highlighted the growing emphasis on Community Social Responsibility (CSR), underlining the evolving role of pharmacists in supporting both individual patient care and the wider community.
In addition to the lectures and workshops, the conference featured a healthcare exhibition, where industry partners showcased their latest products, services and innovations, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange between practitioners and industry stakeholders.
