Kuala Lumpur, 22 November 2003 - The School of Pharmacy of UCSI (University College Sedaya International) today signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Ministry of Health to provide placement of its pharmacy students in government hospitals.

The agreement, which was signed in the presence of Associate Professor Dr Abas Haji Hussi, Dean of USM School of Pharmacy will enable fourth year Pharmacy students to undergo clinical pharmacy training in clinical settings.

UCSI will be sending its first batch of 25 pharmacy students to Hospital Kuala Lumpur when the semester begins early next year.

According to UCSI’s Head of the School of Pharmacy, Dr S.W. Yeong the arrangements will enable pharmacy students to spend two days in a week for one whole semester to enrich their experience in clinical pharmacy.
Clinical pharmacy, she said, is already a trend in the west. “It is increasingly being emphasized within the pharmacy fraternity in Malaysia,” she said. “It is very beneficial to the patients, who want to have a better understanding, and therefore a fuller control over their medication and health. This will also minimize errors and side effects in medication.”

Dr Yeong said she is confident of the on-the-job training provided by the senior pharmacists at Government hospitals. “Our students will be able to practise their communication and counseling skills, besides providing pharmaceutical care to the patients, under the supervision of registered pharmacists,” she added.

As the Government has introduced compulsory service of three years for pharmacists, the emphasis is now on clinical pharmacy. “We want to equip our students to serve well within their profession,” she said.

Earlier, Peter Ng, Vice Chancellor and President of UCSI signed the Memorandum of Agreement on behalf of UCSI while Datuk Alias Ali signed on behalf of the Ministry of Health.