KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has intervened in the Pharmacy Board of Malaysia’s (PBM) non-recognition of the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programme by Alexandria University in Egypt.
The PMO noted that the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) had no objection to the academic recognition of the programme, even as professional recognition for the purpose of registration as a pharmacist requires PBM’s approval.
“The prime minister has directed the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) to give due attention to this matter and to finalise a resolution as soon as possible in the interest of the affected students,” PMO said in a statement today.
“Accordingly, MOHE and MOH must resolve this issue comprehensively in line with the Madani vision, which calls for justice, compassion, and wisdom in every decision affecting the future of the people, without compromising the professional standards established for the pharmacy profession.”
Malaysiakini previously reported that Malaysian graduates of Alexandria University’s PharmD programme are unable to sit the qualifying examination under the PBM, which is required to qualify for practical training in Malaysia and subsequent registration as pharmacists, because the doctorate isn’t recognised by the Board.
These affected graduates included the daughter of a former high-ranked Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) official, who had completed her study in the programme that was upgraded from Bachelor of Pharmacy to PharmD Clinical.
The MOH’s Pharmacy Services Programme Division told Berita Harian recently that PBM wasn’t consulted in MOHE’s move to offer enrolment to the PharmD students.
The division also said PBM had yet to receive applications from Alexandria University for recognition of two new pharmacy programmes: Bachelor of Pharmacy – PharmD and Bachelor of Pharmacy – PharmD (Clinical Pharmacy).
According to the division, any new pharmacy programme or changes made to existing recognised programmes, including changes involving the programme name, qualification or university, must undergo a formal application and evaluation process before recognition can be granted by PBM.
“Recognition is only granted after the board is satisfied that the programme’s structure, content, teaching and learning methods, infrastructure, and assessment system are comparable to pharmacy programmes recognised in Malaysia,” the Pharmacy Services Programme Division was quoted as saying.
“The process usually involves a detailed review of submitted documentation, followed by an evaluation visit to the university by an assessment panel appointed by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency and PBM.
“This requirement applies to all universities, both local and foreign, to ensure the programmes are reviewed and assessed according to Malaysian standards in terms of curriculum and training for future graduates.”
PMO’s statement marks the first intervention by a prime minister in the issue of medical or pharmacy qualifications.
In 2024, Parliament approved amendments to the Medical Act 1971 to recognise the cardiothoracic surgery parallel pathway, amid non-recognition of the programme by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) then.
PBM is regulated under the Registration of Pharmacists Act 1951 (Act 371). It’s unclear if the Madani government will now seek to amend Act 371 to resolve the PharmD non-recognition issue.
