The Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) welcomes the latest clarification by Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad that the Ministry of Health (MOH) will recommend the absorption of contract pharmacy officers into permanent positions for consideration by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Cabinet.
MPS particularly welcomes the health minister’s clarification that permanent appointments for pharmacy and dental officers will be pursued through a new quota, separate from the 9,000 permanent medical officer positions announced under Budget 2027, and that the proposal will be pursued within a reasonable timeframe.
This represents an encouraging and important development for contract pharmacists who have continued to serve Malaysia’s public health care system, while facing uncertainty over their long-term career pathways.
MPS also appreciates the minister’s earlier assurance that MOH is working with MOF to expedite the absorption of contract pharmacists into permanent service.
As of July 2026, 3,545 contract pharmacists remain in service with MOH, while a further 115 are on the reserve list or awaiting permanent appointment.
The latest clarification provides an important indication of the government’s policy direction. The priority now is to translate this commitment into a clear, transparent and implementable pathway.
MPS therefore respectfully calls for further clarification on the following:
- The number of permanent pharmacy positions that will be proposed under the new quota.
- The expected timeline for approval and implementation, including when the proposal is expected to be considered by MOF and the Cabinet.
- The cohorts and categories of contract pharmacists who will be eligible for permanent appointment.
- The status of the 115 pharmacists currently on the reserve list or awaiting permanent appointment, including whether they will be accorded priority consideration.
- The position of pharmacists who have previously completed or exhausted their contract tenure, but remain willing and eligible to continue serving in the public health care system.
- The appointment and selection mechanism, including whether permanent appointments will be implemented in phases and how service experience, seniority and workforce needs will be taken into consideration.
MPS recognises that the establishment of permanent positions requires coordination between MOH, MOF, the Public Service Department (JPA), and other relevant agencies. We therefore appreciate the health minister’s commitment to bring this matter forward for consideration at the appropriate level.
At the same time, the affected pharmacists require sufficient certainty to make informed decisions about their careers and continuing service within the public health care system.
A commitment towards permanent appointment is an important first step. The profession now needs clarity on how many positions will be created, who will be considered, and when implementation will take place.
MPS believes that the long-term resolution of the contract pharmacist issue should also form part of a broader and sustainable pharmacy workforce strategy based on actual service requirements, workforce retention, career development and the evolving roles of pharmacists within Malaysia’s health care system.
Through its Public Pharmacists Chapter, MPS will continue to consolidate feedback from affected pharmacists and advocate for fair, transparent and sustainable career pathways for pharmacists serving in the public sector.
The Chapter has been actively involved in MPS’s continuing advocacy on public sector workforce stability and contract pharmacist issues.
MPS stands ready to engage constructively with MOH and the relevant government agencies as the proposed permanent appointment mechanism is developed, and we encourage periodic updates to be provided to affected pharmacists as the proposal progresses.
We welcome the health minister’s latest assurance as a significant step in the right direction. The next milestone must be a defined quota, a transparent mechanism, and a clear timeline towards permanent service.
This press statement was issued by MPS president Prof Amrahi Buang.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
