Separation of prescribing and dispensing in Malaysia: A summary of arguments

Shafie, Asrul Akmal; Azhar, Saira; See, Ooi Guat

doi:10.1016/j.sapharm.2011.06.002

Cited by 43 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…For a system to work effectively, a sound knowledge of ineptitudes and incompetencies are vital in shaping reforms; hence improving the functionality of the system [2]. Inline to the inefficiencies of the healthcare systems around the globe, dispensing separation has been a topic of thoughtful interest in the literature [2][3][4][5][6]. While some countries allow physicians to dispense medicines, a number of OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries have fully banned physician dispensing of medications to the patients [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The physicians in Malaysia are still allowed to prescribe and dispense medication at the same time [10]. Therefore, pharmacists in Malaysia are pushing hard for this separation of roles but fierce and stern disagreement against the proposal shapes as a hurdle in designing and implementing dispensing separation [4]. At times, where Malaysian pharmacists declared dispensing of medicines as an integral part of their job description [11], dispensing separation is presented as a business-related discussion rather than a patient-centred verdict by the physicians [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Public Perceptions towards Implementation of Dispensing Separation: Results from a Cross Sectional Analysis

Hassali¹,

Saleem²,

Aljadhey³

2015

J Pharma Care Health Sys

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The Malaysian healthcare system has yet to introduce a legislature that implements separation of physicians and pharmacists roles. More recently, a proposal was offered to take the Malaysian populations point of view towards dispensing separation. Therefore, the current study is aimed to assess general public perceptions towards implementation of dispensing separation in the state of Penang, Malaysia. A cross-sectional study design was adopted to conduct the study. A pre-validated questionnaire was offered to 1000 residents in the state of Penang, Malaysia. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data explanation. SPSS® v 22.0 was used for data analysis. The level of statistical significance was taken to be p < 0.05. Sixty-three percent of the respondents were females with Malay being the prevailing ethnic group (n = 527, 52.7%). Seven hundred and sixteen (71.6%) of the respondents reported pharmacists as a reliable source of medicine-related information when compared with physicians provided when diagnosis has been made. Majority of the respondents (n = 876, 87.6%) assured their support towards implementation of dispensing separation in Malaysia. The respondents explained that dispensing separation will result in optimization of patient safety (n = 890, 89.0%), help in to reduce medication error (877, 87.7%) and will reduce the cost of medication (n = 777, 77.7%). There was a significant association reported between supporting future implementation of dispensing separation and all demographic variables (p < 0.05). In addition, the all reported associated were positively and moderate in association (φc ranging from 0.288 -0.335). Results of the current study presented a strong evidence of public support and benefits of dispensing separation in Malaysia. These findings are of high relevance to the policy makers as it provides an over view of public choice of implementing dispensing separation in Malaysia.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Public Perceptions towards Implementation of Dispensing Separation: Results from a Cross Sectional Analysis

Hassali¹,

Saleem²,

Aljadhey³

2015

J Pharma Care Health Sys

Self Cite

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“…The benefits of this model as outlined by Shafie et al . has prompted its implementation in the UK and USA in the 19th and 20th century, respectively, followed by numerous Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Philippines and India …”

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confidence: 99%

“…This served its purpose in the early years after independence when pharmacy practice was still at its infancy. As the pharmacist workforce grew steadily, the lobbying for separation of prescribing and dispensing began . The Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society (MPS) was formed in 1967 to unite pharmacists under one umbrella, and consolidate the voice of the profession.…”

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confidence: 99%

Separation of prescribing and dispensing in Malaysia: the history and challenges

Tiong

Gan

et al. 2016

International Journal of Pharmacy Practice

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This article serves as an update to the work by Shafie et al. (2012) which previously reviewed the benefits of policies separating prescribing and dispensing in various countries to advocate its implementation in Malaysia. This article seeks to strengthen the argument by highlighting not only the weaknesses of the Malaysian health care system from the historical, professional and economic viewpoints but also the shortcomings of both medical and pharmacy professions in the absence of separation of dispensing. It also provides a detailed insight into the ongoing initiatives taken to consolidate the role of pharmacists in the health care system in the advent of separation of dispensing. Under the two tier system in Malaysia at present, the separation of prescribing and dispensing is implemented only in government hospitals. The absence of this separation in the private practices has led to possible profit-oriented medical and pharmacy practices which hinder safe and cost-effective delivery of health services. The call for separation of dispensing has gained traction over the years despite various hurdles ranging from the formidable resistance from the medical fraternity to the public's scepticism towards the new policy. With historical testament and present evidence pointing towards the merits of a system in which doctors prescribe and pharmacists dispense, the implementation of this health care model is justified.

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“…In Malaysia, the community pharmacists (CPs) are in a dilemma as they are not given the main right to control all medication distribution [1]. Their role is shared with the general practitioners (GPs) who are also allowed to distribute medications to their patients.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Actual or Potential Extended Services Performed by Malaysian Community Pharmacists, Perceptions and Barriers Towards It’s Performance: A Systematic Review

Nordin

Hassali

Sarriff

2017

Int J Pharm Pharm Sci

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Objective: Aims of this review were to identify actual or potential extended services performed in community pharmacy settings, perceptions among community pharmacists (CPs), general practitioners (GPs), consumers and policymakers of these extended services and barriers towards its performance. Methods:A literature review was conducted, using Google Scholar and PubMed as a searching engine. Results:Identifying eight quality full texts to review which fulfil the inclusion searching criteria, revealing a wide range of actual or potential extended services performed by CPs such as counselling on asthma, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, diabetes, smoking cessation and selfmedication. GPs' perceptions towards these extended services were varied, not or in favour of CPs to perform some actual or potential extended services. Customers were in favour of CPs to perform these actual or potential extended services whereas CPs indicated a few barriers towards the performance of these actual or potential extended services. Conclusion:As a conclusion, CPs in Malaysia were in the right position to perform the actual or potential extended services, collaborating with GPs to promote better medication use and enhance patients' quality of life. Some barriers towards these extended services must be intervened in order to enhance the quality of the services.

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Separation of prescribing and dispensing in Malaysia: A summary of arguments

Cited by 43 publications

References 11 publications

Public Perceptions towards Implementation of Dispensing Separation: Results from a Cross Sectional Analysis

Public Perceptions towards Implementation of Dispensing Separation: Results from a Cross Sectional Analysis

Separation of prescribing and dispensing in Malaysia: the history and challenges

Actual or Potential Extended Services Performed by Malaysian Community Pharmacists, Perceptions and Barriers Towards It’s Performance: A Systematic Review

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