Challenge to Clinical Pharmacy Practice in Malaysia

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To report on the current status and future trends of clinical pharmacy practice in Malaysia. DATA SOURCES: Published conference reports and journal articles. DATA EXTRACTION: Data on areas related to clinical pharmacy practice in Malaysian hospitals were gleaned from various publications. DATA SYNTHESIS: Malaysia is capable of implementing clinical pharmacy services in hospitals and perhaps also in the community setting. The important factors in clinically oriented pharmacy practice include improvement of the drug-control process, development of physical and human resources, clinical pharmacy skills, and the training of practicing pharmacists. A number of Malaysian pharmacists have already developed a unit-dose drug distribution system, patient counseling, therapeutic drug monitoring, drug information, and total parenteral nutrition services. CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacy profession in Malaysia has many challenges ahead and it is hoped that every practicing pharmacist will be highly committed to future professional needs so that clinical pharmacy practice in Malaysia becomes a reality.