KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 26 — The Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) wishes to express its appreciation to the Government of Malaysia, in particular the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Public Services Commission (SPA), for their willingness to listen to concerns raised and for taking follow-up action regarding the employment status of contract pharmacists from the 2021 cohort.
MPS takes note of the recent positive developments in which:
- approximately 379 contract pharmacists have received offer letters for permanent appointment, and
- the remaining pharmacists have been granted a one-year extension of reserve list status.
These measures have helped to ease concerns over job uncertainty and potential service disruption when the maximum five-year contract period ends in April 2026. MPS appreciates the government’s responsive and pragmatic approach in addressing this matter in stages.
In this regard, MPS also records its sincere appreciation to Senator Dr R.A. Lingeshwaran for his principled advocacy in raising the issue in the Dewan Negara. His efforts have contributed meaningfully to ensuring that the voices of affected pharmacists were heard at the policy level, reflecting constructive cross-sector collaboration in safeguarding the healthcare workforce.
MPS believes that these developments demonstrate the government’s openness to engaging on health care workforce matters based on service realities and ground-level data, in line with the increasing complexity of public health care delivery.
At the same time, MPS hopes that the issue of the Regional Incentive Payment (Bayaran Insentif Wilayah, BIW) — particularly its impact on pharmacists and other health care professionals serving in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan — can also be reviewed comprehensively.
BIW is an important mechanism to support workforce retention, offset higher living and relocation costs, and recognise the challenges of service in these regions.
MPS remains committed to working constructively with the government, MOH, SPA, and all relevant stakeholders to advance fair, sustainable, and forward-looking health care workforce policies, in the best interests of patients and the nation.
“We appreciate the government’s readiness to listen and respond. We hope this ongoing dialogue will translate into long-term solutions that strengthen healthcare workforce stability and continuity of care,” said Prof Amrahi Buang, president of the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS).
This matter has also been raised with the Pharmaceutical Services Programme (PSP) of the MOH. MPS appreciates PSP’s readiness to engage constructively. We have reiterated the need for stable contract mechanisms, transparent communication, and alignment of staffing decisions with actual service demands across the country.
The Society is also prepared to support SPA by sharing aggregated ground insights that may assist in reviewing the implications of the withdrawal.
A long-term, coordinated workforce strategy is urgently needed. Pharmacists must be able to serve with confidence, free from recurring cycles of uncertainty. Malaysia requires a forward-looking, data-driven approach to staffing — one that protects continuity of care, strengthens clinical services, and ensures that trained professionals remain within the public sector. In line with this, MPS has initiated a dedicated workforce intelligence project to support evidence-based planning for the profession.
“Our pharmacists have stood strong through medicine shortages, pandemic challenges, and rising service demands. They have demonstrated professionalism and unwavering dedication. They now deserve clarity, fairness, and a dignified pathway forward. Malaysia’s patients deserve a pharmacy workforce that is secure, supported, and able to focus fully on delivering safe and effective care,” said Amrahi.
MPS remains committed to working with MOH, PSP, SPA, and all relevant stakeholders to resolve this issue swiftly and fairly. We will continue to advocate for the wellbeing and future of pharmacists in Malaysia, ensuring that their contributions are recognised and that the profession is strengthened for the years ahead.
This press release was issued by MPS.
