PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SERVICE INNOVATION

Kepada semua PPF Malaysia,

Sila baca artikel di bawah berkaitan Inovasi Perkhidmatan di antara Pharmacist dan Pharmacy Technician di USA di mana "expanded role" di berikan kepada Pharmacy Technician oleh Pharmacist di sana supaya semua Pharmacist dapat menumpukan dan meningkatkan perhatian kepada aktiviti "Patient Care" serta clinical duty. Delegasi perkhidmatan adalah sangat penting dalam membina satu "Positive Team Work" di antara Pegawai Farmasi dan Penolong Pegawai Farmasi dan semua Pegawai Farmasi Malaysia harus mempunyai sikap profesional seperti di New York ini dengan memberi peluang dalam expanded role serta mencipta inovasi perkhidmatan dengan tujuan murni supaya para pelanggan atau pesakit mendapat manfaat kesihatan yang maksima. Sila baca...

Winners of Innovations in Pharmaceutical Care Award Announced

New York (MedscapeWire) Dec 13 — Five teams of pharmacists and certified pharmacy technicians were declared the winners of this year's Innovations in Pharmaceutical Care Award on December 4th at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Winners included a team at Duke University Medical Center that reengineered pharmacy work functions to allow pharmacists more time to focus on patient care. Another winning team, from North Mississippi Medical Center - Department of Pharmacy Services, uses a certified pharmacy technician in the medication error tracking and reporting process, giving pharmacists and other health professionals more time to implement new patient care programs.

The award, founded in 1998 by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), recognizes innovations in pharmaceutical care by teams of pharmacists and certified pharmacy technicians in any practice setting. Each of the five winning teams received a cash award of $1,000 to be shared equally by the pharmacist and certified pharmacy technician and a framed certificate to be displayed in their respective practice settings.

"We take great pride in the Innovations Award Program," said Melissa M. Murer, RPh, PTCB Executive Director. "Efforts to enhance patient care, reduce medication errors and manage patient's chronic diseases serve as best practices for the over 70,800 certified pharmacy technicians nationwide."

MAJLIS KONVOKESYEN KSKB KALI KE-4, PADA 18 OKT 2008 DI PICC, PUTRAJAYA

Dibawah adalah gambar-gambar yang diambil semasa saya, Hj.Harun dan En.Nazri Mohd Esa menerima jemputan menghadiri majlis konvokesyen KSKB kali ke-4. Turut sama hadir ialah YDP PPFM Tn.Hj.Kamaruddin dan Mdm Puspa (Koordinator Prog.Farmasi,PNC International College, Nilai)
MAAF KERANA GAMBAR KURANG JELAS.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW PHARMACY DIRECTOR

WE ARE MOST WELCOME OUR NEW DIRECTOR OF PHARMACY SERVICES DIVISION, MINISTRY OF HEALTH MALAYSIA , YG. BERBAHAGIA PUAN EISAH BT A.RAHMAN.

MAY OUR DIVISION WILL PROGRESS BETTER AND BETTER WITH POSITIVE INTERACTIONS AND HARMONIOUS AMONG ALL CATEGORY STAFF UNDER PHARMACY SERVICES DIVISION OF MALAYSIA.

SEJARAH PROFESION PENOLONG PEGAWAI FARMASI - BAHAGIAN 1

( Ingin saya menulis sejarah berkaitan profesion ini supaya umum, para PPF junior dan yang hampir lupa dapat mengingatkan kembali asal usul profesion ini. Selamat membaca)

LATARBELAKANG

Profesion Penolong Pegawai Farmasi bermula sekitar bulan September 1957 iaitu sebulan sesudah Kemerdekaan Malaya. Pada masa itu latihan dijalankan di premis Sekolah Latihan Jururawat, Hospital Besar Pulau Pinang. Latihan dijalankan disana sehingga tahun 1964. Kolej latihan adalah dinamakan sebagai Sekolah Latihan Pembancuh Ubat. Pada ketika itu, Latihan adalah dijalankan secara teori selama setahun dan ”on job training selama 2 tahun”. Pelatih batch 1-12 pada masa itu diserap terus sebagai penjawat awam dan menerima gaji bulanan RM137.50 X 7.50 dan selepas latihan 3 tahun menerima RM178.00 - RM422.00 dengan elaun COLA RM52.50 .

Mulai Batch 13 barulah Sistem Biasiswa atau Elaun Pelatih diperkenalkan. Gaji PPF selepas latihan dulu ialah antara RM 178.00 - RM422.00. (Lain-lain Paramedik RM238.00 - RM528.00).

Pada tahun 1964, sekolah latihan Pembancuh Ubat telah berpindah ke Makmal Ubat dan Stor, Jalan Universiti (G.M.S – General Medical Store) dimana sekarang telah dijadikan IbuPejabat Perkhidmatan Farmasi Malaysia (Bahagian Perkhidmatan Farmasi KKM).
Latihan disini dimulakan dengan pengambilan pelatih pertama seramai 26 pelatih sahaja. Kemudian dengan pembinaan 2 lagi Makmal, jumlah pengambilan ditambah menjadi 120 pelatih setiap tahun. Di kawasan yang sama jugalah latihan Pembantu Makmal Kimia Ubat dijalankan yang kita ketahui kemudiannya telah di ‘asimilasi’ menjadi Penolong Pegawai Farmasi.

GELARAN JAWATAN

Gelaran jawatan sebenarnya didapati berubah sebanyak 4 kali. 3 kali secara rasmi dan sekali tidak rasmi. Secara rasmi, gelaran pertama iaitu Pembancuh Ubat diguna mulai 1957 – 1981 (ketika itu dalam bahasa Inggeris di panggil Dispenser) . Gelaran kedua iaitu Pembantu Farmasi dilulus dan diguna mulai 1982 sehinggalah 31 Mei 2008 dan kemudian mulai 1 Jun 2008 secara rasminya diubah sebagai Penolong Pegawai Farmasi. Tetapi ramai yang tidak mengetahui ada satu lagi gelaran yang diguna secara tak rasmi pada 1981-1982 iaitu JuruUbat. Semasa itu gelaran tersebut tidak diluluskan kerana ia kelihatan golongan Profesional. (Maklumat daripada Senior) Selepas itulah ia diubah kepada Pembantu Farmasi.

PERKEMBANGAN LATIHAN

Kembali kepada latihan. Pada tahun 1998 Menteri Pelajaran ketika itu iaitu Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’Seri Najib Tun Abd Razak telah meluluskan sijil latihan Pembantu Farmasi kepada Diploma Farmasi. Selepas penyediaan kurikulum, program ini dinaik taraf dan Bahagian Perkhidmatan Farmasi telah meluluskan nama diploma kepada Diploma Pembantu Farmasi bermula tahun 2000 (walaupun diluluskan Diploma Farmasi). Nama sekolah juga di ubah kepada Kolej Pembantu Farmasi dengan Pengajar dari kalangan bekas Pembantu Farmasi pertama selepas naik taraf seramai 7 orang.

"Walaubagaimana pun semua Senior tidak akan lupa akan jasa dan kenangan latihan oleh Miss E.L Leong , Pharmacist @ Pengetua Sekolah sebelum itu yang telah banyak memberi sumbangan dan jasa besar kepada Profesion ini. (Semoga roh beliau dicucuri rahmat....)"

Mulai tahun 2004, Kolej Latihan telah berpindah kali ketiga ke premis sekarang iaitu Kolej Sains Kesihatan Bersekutu, Sg.Buloh dengan imej baru dan penambahan Pengajar seramai 13 orang.
(Termasuk Ketua Program-maklumat sehingga 2008)

Kursus pula telah diubah mengikut sistem Universiti dengan kredit point dan pembelajaran semester. Kursus Diploma Farmasi mengambil masa 3 tahun dan dikendalikan mengikut sistem semester yang merangkumi 6 semester.

Empat semester iaitu Tahun 1 Semester 1 ; Tahun 1 Semester 2, Tahun 2 Semester 1 dan Tahun 3 Semester 2 dikendalikan dibawah Program Diploma Farmasi di Kolej Sains Kesihatan Bersekutu, Sg.Buloh.
Pada tahun 2 semester 2 dan tahun 3 semester 1, pelatih perlu menjalani latihan klinikal di hospital-hospital kerajaan, klinik kesihatan dan institusi yang di iktiraf oleh KKM.



Bersambung........ (Perjuangan Kesatuan & Persatuan, Kerjaya, Pos Basik, Pendaftaran dll)

ADAKAH ANDA BERSEDIA UNTUK PERUBAHAN?

Pen.Pegawai Farmasi kini sedang menghadapi "tsunami" kemasukan Pegawai2 Farmasi (PRP)setiap tahun dan ini telah mengakibatkan kebanyakan post-post PPF yang kosong dikebanyakan Institusi samada Hospital atau Kesihatan tidak diisi oleh Pentadbiran Farmasi Negeri masing-masing.

Keadaan ini kelihatan sangat ketara. Jika dilihat dari sudut positif, Malaysia akan mempunyai cukup tenaga mahir dan profesional di barisan hadapan di kaunter dan dapat memberikan satu perkhidmatan yang cukup informatif kepada pelanggan khasnya.
Pen.Pegawai Farmasi juga seharusnya menerima fakta dan akur kepada perkembangan profesion Pegawai Farmasi dan juga pelan yang disediakan oleh KKM. PPF tidak seharusnya melawan dan 'demand' hak untuk dispen kerana tugas itu termaktub dalam undang-undang.

Pen.Pegawai Farmasi harus menitik beratkan kemajuan dalam aspek tugas-tugas teknikal
dan berjuang hak untuk mendapat tugas tersebut supaya ia boleh di gazetkan dalam akta dan dikawal oleh satu badan seperti di USA, UK dan Kanada.

Jika dilihat dari sudut sejarah keatas negara-negara maju, Profesion "Pharmacy Technician" di Amerika dan Eropah berkembang sangat pesat jika dibandingkan dengan lain-lain profesion. Di Amerika bilangan Pharmacy Technician telah melepasi angka 250,000 orang. Pada 1996,Jabatan Tenaga Buruh Amerika menjangka bilangan Pharmacy Technician adalah sekitar 150,000 pada tahun 2006 tetapi bilangan sebenar Pharmacy Technician pada 2006 ialah 285,000 ! Peningkatan adalah dianggarkan 32% sehingga 2016. (rujuk http://bls.gov/oco/ocos252.htm.)

Berdasarkan sejarah bidang Farmaseutikal, kita juga sebenarnya sedang mengikuti semua langkah-langkah dan kemajuan dalam aspek pembangunan "Pharmaceutical-care" dari negara-negara maju. Mereka telah lama meletakkan Pharmacist di barisan hadapan dikaunter-kaunter dan kita baru mengikuti langkah tersebut.

Apabila tiba pada satu tahap nanti, keperluan akan meningkat kepada Pegawai Farmasi terhadap perkhidmatan klinikal yang tinggi dan kepakaran. Mereka mungkin tiada masa lagi untuk kerja-kerja teknikal yang remeh mengikut tahap pendidikan tinggi profesion mereka. Itulah yang berlaku di Amerika dan United Kingdom. Kerana itulah ujudnya juga pendaftaran Pharmacy Technician di U.K oleh Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain yang mengawal Pharmacy Technician disana dan di Amerika pula oleh Negeri masing-masing seperti Texas State Pharmacy Board, California State Board of Pharmacy dll. Di Kanada juga mempunyai pendaftaran Pharmacy Technician iaitu Pharmacy Technician Board of Canada.

Daripada pengalaman-pengalaman di luar negara dalam bidang farmaseutikal yang berkembang pesat, tidakkah kita berfikir pada suatu hari nanti semua PPF juga akan menerima pengiktirafan ini? Adalah diharapkan pihak pengurusan lebih berfikiran terbuka dan menerima ahli-ahli dalam keluarga Farmasi demi kualiti dalam perkhidmatan farmaseutikal.

Kesilapan kita memilih nama gelaran juga mungkin menyebabkan rasa kurang senang di pihak pengurusan tertinggi oleh beberapa pegawai tinggi disana. Ini secara tidak langsung akan melambatkan sebarang proses tuntutan kepada perkembangan profesion kita.

Sekiranya kita memilih gelaran yang lebih bersifat teknikal(Teknologis) dan bukan pentadbiran(Penolong Pegawai) iaitu seperti dalam post pertama saya- Pharmacy Technologist, kita mungkin dapat mendalami dalam bidang ini dengan usaha untuk mendapatkan hak kita dalam tugas-tugas teknikal. Pihak pengurusan tinggi Farmasi juga akan lebih lembut dan lebih berkerjasama dalam tuntutan kita.

Jika dalam bahasa melayu gelaran teknikal ini boleh disebut Teknologis Farmasi (Pharmacy Technologist) samada Diploma atau selepas mendapat Ijazah Teknologi Farmasi (Degree in Pharmaceutical Technology) dan Ijazah Farmaseutikal Sains (Degree in Pharmaceutical Science).

Mungkin ada yang akan bertanya selepas mendapat Ijazah tersebut apa pula peranan PPF dan di letakkan diUnit mana? Pegawai-Pegawai Farmasi pula tidak harus rasa terancam sekiranya PPF melanjutkan pelajaran sehingga Ijazah kerana satu hala tuju dan peranan harus disediakan dahulu sebelum menerima Ijazah tersebut dalam perkhidmatan teknikal Farmasi. Kita tidak harus "cross over" dan tidak "overlap" dalam tugas harian perkhidmatan farmaseutikal dengan Pegawai.

Memang mudah untuk ditulis tetapi untuk praktikkannya dan menyediakan satu kertas kerja yang komprehensif, rasional dan cukup justifikasi, kita memerlukan satu Jawatankuasa PPF yang mantap, kreatif, dinamik, pintar, berpengalaman,sifat tidak berkira masa, pemikiran positif, fleksibel dan komited kepada perkembangan profesion.


Walau apapun memang ini kelihatan satu mimpi indah seperti dalam post saya sebelum ini.

- think positive and work towards profesionalism

DEGREE IN PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY IN USA

Today i went through a site which offer a degree in Pharmaceutical Technology from one of the college in USA. The total credit points of this degree is similar as our Diploma in Malaysia with 96 credit points.
Check this site : http://www.columbustech.edu/healthsciences/programs/pharmacy_technology/default.htm
Down here is the info I paste from the website.

Pharmacy Technology Diploma and Degree
(columbus technical college, usa)
Degree and Diploma: Pharmacy Technology is offered as an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program and as a diploma program.

Diploma Program:

Pharmacology is one of the principal pillars of modern medical practice, and your expertise in that area will place you at the heart of modern medicine. Your areas of expertise will include pharmaceutical calculations, sterile medication preparation, medical dispensing, medical terminology, and knowledge of medication interactions. Your computer skills will enable you to keep the accurate records necessary for quality patient health. The clinical practicums you experience will provide you the opportunity to study and practice your craft, while working side-by-side with and learning from practicing medical professionals. Your diploma will enable you to work at a trauma center, a hospital, or an assisted-living community. Your skill will also be in demand in the retail world, whether it is in an individual drugstore or a retail chain pharmacy.

Degree Program:

The Pharmacy Technology Associate Degree Program prepares you for employment in pharmacy departments in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, commercial businesses, and other related facilities. The program develops you academically and professionally with a focus on knowledge base, technical skills, and work ethics. The program emphasizes didactic and clinical instruction necessary for job attainment, retention, and advancement. As a program graduate, you will be eligible to sit for a national certification exam for Pharmacy Technologists. If you have completed prerequisite coursework, you can compete for summer or winter admission into this program.

Length of Program:
• 76 Credit hours for Diploma.
• 96 Credit hours for Degree.

Diploma Program Sequence
SUBJECTS :
General Mathematics
Medical Terminology
Introduction to Microcomputers
English
Anatomy and Physiology
Basic Psychology
Pharmaceutical Calculations
Pharmacy Technology Fundamentals
Basic Inorganic Chemistry
Principles of Dispensing Medication
Pharmacology
Principles of Sterile Medication Preparation
Pharmacy Technology Practicum
Advanced Pharmacy Technology Principles
Advanced Pharmacy Technology Practicum

Degree Program Sequence
SUBJECTS :
College Algebra
Medical Terminology
Introduction to Microcomputers
Composition and Rhetoric I
Anatomy and Physiology I
Introduction to Humanities
Fundamentals of Speech
Anatomy and Physiology II
Principles of Economics
Introductory Psychology
Pharmaceutical Calculations
Pharmacy Technology Fundamentals
Basic Inorganic Chemistry
Principles of Dispensing Medication
Pharmacology
Principles of Sterile Medication Preparation
Pharmacy Technology Practicum
Advanced Pharmacy Technology Principles
Advanced Pharmacy Technology Practicum

Last updated: October 6, 2008.

PHARMACIST ASSISTANT WORKSHOP 2008

OUR FIRST WORKSHOP AFTER GETTING THE NEW TITLE AS PHARMACIST ASSISTANT (PREVIOSLY PHARMACY ASSISTANT) OR IN MALAY REFERED TO "PENOLONG PEGAWAI FARMASI".
PROGRAMME WAS HELD AT KK KUALA GULA KRIAN, PERAK ON 20th - 23rd AUGUST 2008. GROUP WAS SPLIT INTO 4 AND A BRAINSTORMING SESSION DONE TO DISCUSS ABOUT 4 IMPORTANT TOPIC : 1. STAFFING & NORM 2. EXPANDED & EXTENDED ROLE 3. PPF NEW VISION 4. POST BASIC COURSE

PRESENTATIONS ON ASSIST.PHARMACIST PROFESION TO DATO' KSU KKM

This photos taken at 6th Combined Allied Health Profesional Scientific Meeting 2006.
Me, Faridah Saidi(U38 HKL),Hj.Abu Bakar(U38 Hosp.Queen Elizabeth Sabah) and Pn.Noraini (U38 HKL) together prepaired the poster presentation for this scientific meeting. Me and Faridah was asked to be the presenter. We got all the good chances to tell to KSU regarding our actual role and problems faced. We also did the last minute proposal regarding development of our profesion in every aspect.
GOD BLESS US !

PHARMACIST ASSISTANT BATCH 25 - 1984

PERAK PHARMACIST ASSISTANT ANNUAL DINNER 2008

Pharmacist Assistant vs Pharmacy Technologist

To All Malaysian Assistant Pharmacist @ Technologist,
As we all know Public Service Department of Malaysia has  approved the title post of Pharmacy Assistant to Assistant Pharmacist (in Bahasa-Penolong Pegawai Farmasi) effective from 1st June 2008. Many are happy with the current development as it gives a better image of the profession but there are still others who question the rationale of using this term as it doesn't reflect our professional role and career developments in future.
I personally think that it is not a wise move to change the name of our post just because the Medical Assistants have changed theirs to Assistant Medical Officer (Penolong Pegawai Perubatan). Why are we always following others?
A Pharmacy Assistant’s job (in the west referred to as Pharmacy Technician) is a very technically-orientated post. We are involved in compounding, filling medicines, labelling, preparing mixtures, preparing extemporaneous preparations, TPN, TDM, CDR, procuring and purchasing, counter- patient management with or without supervision by a pharmacist in Health Centres. But we all know in Malaysia we still doing clinical work especially in community pharmacy setup in rural places where there is no Pharmacist.
Most of the duties of Assistant Pharmacist comprise a lot of technical undertakings nowdays while we still committed to clinical as well. Why do we choose to be known as 'Penolong Pegawai Farmasi'(Assistant Pharmacist) when we are really technical and part clinical staff(pharmacist cant deny we actually is still doing the clinical work). I have spoken to one of the higher officers in Pharmacy Services Division, Ministry Of Health and he agrees with my view.

I have also discussed this matter with Malaysian Pharmacy Assistant Association Committee Members, Health Ministry Training Division Staff, Lecturers from Allied Health Science College Sg.Buloh, Assistant Pharmacist from National Pharmaceutical Bureau and many dynamic seniors. They all agree that our post should not be changed to Assistant Pharmacist (Penolong Pegawai Farmasi).
So what is the most suitable name or title then?

After some research on Pharmacy Titles across the world in USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, I found that the most suitable name for Malaysian Pharmacy Assistant is Pharmacy Technologist. Why? Because in Malaysia our curriculum syllabus is one of the best in the world compared to other country. In UK, the course is only for 1 year with on job training. In USA the course for Pharmacy Technician is from 7 mnt-1 year with exam for certification(PTCB). But they also have a degree course in Pharmaceutical Technology and Pharmaceutical science which can lead to the post of Pharmacy Technologist! The Republic of Ireland is also running a similar course. Malaysia only offers a course that covers 3 years leading to a DIPLOMA!

The syllabus is indeed very comprehensive and tight with a total of 98 credit points. (To become a Pharmacist, one must complete 120 credit points in a Malaysian University). Hence our diploma course is close to a Degree in Pharmacy. That is about studies. How about the job description and the workload of the Assistant Pharmacist? In many places all the duties supposedly carried out by a Pharmacist is done by the Assistant Pharmacist.

Previously many Pharmacists prefer to be at the desk than to tackle technical or clinical duties. Only recently were there changes whereby the new Pharmacist is placed at the main counter and the Pharmacist Assistant doing the filling work and other technical duties. The role as front liner has been taken over by the Pharmacist nowadays as it should rightly be.

But the issue now is what are the prospects of a Assistant Pharmacist in the new era and in future? After 50 years, only now there is one professional Post Basic course conducted which is very limited chances to all Assistant Pharmacist!. Assistant Pharmacist feel they are treated as second class Paramedics because we are not respected and taken care of by some of the immediate officers. At the present there is a big gap between the Pharmacist and the Assistant in most institutions. But there is also a new generation of Pharmacists who really care and understand our problems.

Now back to the main topic. Choosing the right title. The staff from National Pharmaceutical Bureau very much awaited and fought the title to be changed to Pharmacy Technologist as they are fully doing technical duties there. Duties such as carrying out Microbiology Test, Quality Control, drug performance test etc is a technical job. For a Assistant Pharmacist (Penolong Pegawai Farmasi) to do this kind of job is ridiculous!

Every profession needs developments in its career. Therefore, the closest degree (apart from Deg.In Pharmacy) that we can apply now is Degree in Pharmaceutical Technology, Degree in Pharmaceutical Science and Pharmacology. It is very appropriate if our title is changed to Pharmacy Technologist in order to further our studies in Pharmaceutical Technology or Science. Don't you all agree with this? We can concentrate in our technical duties fully without interfering the clinical work which is the Pharmacists’ job.
At present we are sealed in our progress by being given the title of an Assistant which does not give us the chance to be a professional in the related category. To all concerned, think carefully. The change is still there to be made.

TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE CAREER DEVELOPMENTS!