UCSI Group founder and CEO, Dato’ Peter Ng urging students to take pride in their profession.

Dr Faridah receiving a gift from Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences dean Assistant Professor Dr Mogana Sundari Rajagopal.

Balai Ikhtisas Malaysia president John Chang giving a motivational speech.

UCSI students solemnly pledge to be responsible pharmacists.

The role of a pharmacist should transcend the scope of a medicine expert, Datin Dr Faridah Aryani Md Yusof said.

The deputy director at the Health Ministry's Pharmacy Practice and Development told students at UCSI University recently that they shoulder a greater responsibility upon graduation.

She added that the job, among others, included focusing in the areas of research with the emphasis on patients’ well-being.

“Your responsibilities have evolved over the years and today, they include drug discovery, distribution and patient-oriented services,” she said in her keynote speech at the World Pharmacists’ Day organised by the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Citing a speech by International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) president Dr Carmen Pena earlier this year, Dr Faridah said, the description of a pharmacist could not be explained any better.

“In his speech, Dr Carmen Pena said the focus this year must be on the extensive expertise pharmacists have in ensuring a patient’s health is taken care of,” she said.

Dr Faridah also urged future pharmacists to incorporate the culture of evidence-based practice in helping people stay healthier.

On another matter, she pointed out that, as of 31 July 2018, there were a total of 16,860 registered pharmacists in Malaysia.

More than 50% of which, she said, were working in various facilities in the public sector such as hospitals and health clinics.

At the event, more than 500 pharmacy students from UCSI University took a pledge to abide by all best practices in the profession to provide top notch service upon graduation.

UCSI Group founder and CEO Dato’ Peter Ng, who was also present at the event, urged students to take pride in the profession that they are studying for.

Ng referred to the profession as “a noble occupation in changing people's lives”.

"When you go on to work, the public will trust you in prescribing and dispensing medicines.

“They will follow your recommendations because healthcare professionals like pharmacists are equipped with a specific set of skills and knowledge," he said.

Given this, Ng reminded the students to pay close attention to the pledge that they took.

"This pledge must be embraced as you go on to become a pharmacist; it is the code that you will live by as a practicing pharmacist in future,” he said.

The event also saw performances by students and other activities like lucky draws, and an award ceremony for dean’s list students.

There was also the Best Lecturer and FPS Appreciation Awards to acknowledge hardworking staff from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Meanwhile, one of the dean's lists recipients, Gan Ee How, 22, said that his passion and curiosity motivated him to take up this course. 

"When I was young, I would often fall sick. I would have to visit the pharmacy very often then.

“My fascination about the job and the people behind the counter dispensing medicines made me want to learn more about the job.

“And that was my starting point to take up this course," said Gan, who has CGPA of 3.87. 

Grateful of having the opportunity to study at the nation’s number one private university, Gan attributed his grades and achievements to his lecturers.

"As a student, I am lucky to study at a prestigious private university such as UCSI University.

“Not only are the lecturers helpful and dedicated, they are my beacon of hope in my dreams towards becoming a good pharmacist someday," he said. 

The event was truly a meaningful one as students gathered together to acknowledge their professional obligations as well as their responsibilities to the community