Reflective writing
Issue about dispensing separation becoming a latest issue that mostly health cares argue
on. The latest bout of verbal sparring has come about after it was reported in a paper that
pharmacists hoped that the separation of dispensing rights would be accepted by the
Health Ministry and come into effect on April 1.
This issue is not limited to Malaysia alone. In countries where doctors dispense medicines,
calls have also been made to separate prescribing and dispensing duties.
Even in countries where there’s a separation of duties, it’s not a totalitarian rule.
For example, the American Medical Association Code of Ethics provides that physicians
may dispense drugs as long as there is no patient exploitation and patients have the right
to a prescription that can be filled elsewhere.
Some doctors in the United Kingdom, especially in rural areas, are allowed to prescribe
and dispense medicines to their patients.
However, the role of pharmacists has transformed significantly because of changes in
pharmacists' training and population health demands. Within this context, community
pharmacists are recognized as important health personnel for the provision of extended
health services. Similarly, in Malaysia, the need to transform community pharmacy
practice has been discussed by all interested parties. However, the transition has been
slow due in part to the nonexistence of a dispensing separation policy between
pharmacists and medical doctors in private community practices. For decades, medical
doctors in private community practices have had the right to prescribe and dispense, thus
diluting the role of community pharmacists because of overlapping roles.
Besides, in my opinion, pharmacists go through 4 years of studies, if I dare say, intensive
study of medicines and their properties. I, as a pharmacy student, do not see myself as
stepping over the boundaries of the medical profession. What we do is complement it by
giving the best of the two expertise (from doctors in their diagnostics and pharmacist in
their medicines) to the patient. Ultimately, it is the patient who is going to benefit the
most out of this.
This government move is a good chance for pharmacy to be viewed as an actual part of
the healthcare system. It does not have to happen overnight but slowly, step by step,
better prospects will be there for pharmacists.
By separating the two roles (prescribing and dispensing), a lot of medication error can be
avoided. We are all human after all, so mistakes do happen. But with two people being
vigilant in the care of a patient, many errors can be avoided.
There are not enough pharmacists because most students do not even consider going back
to work as there is no future. I, myself, have always wanted to go back and work, and
managed to convince myself that everything will improve with time. But with some
doctors looking down on pharmacists and refusing to give up dispensing rights, how is it
possible that pharmacy in Malaysia will improve? If ever that the dispensing rights are
given to the pharmacists, more students will consider going back. There would be more
pharmacies opening near clinics for better access by the patients. The fact that
pharmacists now working in the community in Malaysia are often nothing more than
shopkeepers, selling shampoo. Without the need for pharmacist, why do we need a
pharmacy in Malaysia? Why go back when here in the UK you are regarded as someone
who is a healthcare professional able to give useful advice?
Hence, in my point of view, there is need to be implemented the dispensing separation to
improve the quality of health care providers. Eventhough maybe it is quite hard and many
obstacles to implement it but if all authorities and pharmacist itself give a full support on
it, there is a possibility through it.