John Chang: second opinion from a pharmacist?

First of all, a reminder to John, 2nd opinion for a disease should be obtained from a specialist of the same speciality for the disease, and not to be provided by a pharmacist. You said "The pharmacist's role is limited to non-medical advice." So always remember that.

Based on ANNUAL REPORT 2006, The Pharmaceutical Services Division (PSD), Ministry of Health (MOH)roles is to protects consumers from hazardous drugs,and unscrupulous practices through the enforcement of related drug and pharmacy legislation and optimises drug therapy. However it is well-known that many pharmacists dispense drug without prescription from a qualified doctor. So how do they provide the above enforcement? Why there are no statistics regarding this misconduct? What action have been taken? My advice to all the doctors is to inform your patients regarding complication caused by drugs which dispensed by pharmacists without prescription so legal action can be taken. If a doctor is subjected to so many medical legal risk, why pharmacists can escape from this when there are so many misconducts happen out there? Pharmacists should stop dispensing drugs without a prescription as long as they can’t examine, identify and treat complication caused by their act.

I am not suprised to hear from those graduated as a pharmacist in overseas do not want to come back because they do not want to be a shopkeeper. That is exactly what is happening here in Malaysia. Again, pharmacists should start to find out what other subspeciality work that they can do besides dispensing drugs and selling health equipments at their own pharmacies or at at places like Watson.
Before asking from government the exclusive right of dispensing, are you ready to have the responsibility? You can start by having 24 hours pharmacy in all areas, at least one in all area where we can find a clinic. Then you have to keep all the possible drugs needed, all type of preparation available for prescription, both generic and original. Not only vitamins and other health care products that can generate more income. Subsequently you need to prove to the communities that you do have refreshment courses on old and new drugs or new preparations at your previous institutions or other recognised institutions. Start to embark on enforcement to act against pharmacists who start to prescribe medications to customers without establishment of diagnosis. Not easy right? But if this can be done, all the doctors do welcome your good intention.
But i wish to see more proactive roles of pharmacists in Malaysia. Yes, they are selected students with good academics background. So it is a waste of talents to just keep them as a storekeeper or dispenser. The association should start looking at other roles that they can play in providing new, cheaper and more effective drugs available for all, since they have valuable assets of in-depth knowledge on drugs.

Statements made by PSedrishMD (moderator of the below forum) "Nobody calls a pharmacist "Doctor" or considers them as professional co-equals. While their job is important, they are always considered ancillary providers."

Ref: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/careers-medicine/58601-pharmacist-real-doctors.html