Replaceable, or Irreplaceable?

HealthPharmacy
Last updated on
Avatar photo
By Bryan Tan Van Hong

Publicity Associate at YPC. Currently working in Esyms, an online pharmacy platform and Registered Pharmacist at a retail pharmacy. Oh, and not to forget, pun enthusiast.

Written by Bryan Tan – Marketing and Communications Associate at YPC, currently a PRP at a retail pharmacy, and pun enthusiast

 

The director of the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) Datin Dr Faridah Aryani Md Yusof stated that amidst the impending Industrial Revolution 4.0, pharmacists roles will not be replaced by technology. It is still a field which requires human touch.

“The services and advice provided by pharmacists should not be replaced despite the advancement in technological aspects such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics,” said Dr Faridah after the closing ceremony of the recent Negeri Sembilan Pharmacy conference. “IR 4.0 doesn’t just involve robotics, but also Big Data, which requires humans to operate.”

We know for a fact that the advancement in technology is inevitable, and there WILL be some aspects in the pharmacist profession which will be operated by machines. However, as Dr Faridah stated, the core role of a pharmacist involves humanly interaction with patients and this is not possible with machines alone.

Do you agree with Dr Faridah’s statements?

 

(image source: CommsMEA)

Related

Remdesivir: Yay or Nay?

Last updated on
Since our last article on Remdesivir, much has been discovered about its potential clinical application via several high-profile clinical trials. On 15th October 2020, we first heard of less-than-promising results from the WHO SOLIDARITY trial that Remdesivir has “little to no effect on hospitalized COVID-19, as indicated by overall mortality, initiation of ventilation, and duration...

Starting from 1 January 2019, all applications for pharmacy licenses and permits will be associated with a newly imposed fee. The amendments are as follow: “I) Di bawah Peraturan 28 Peraturan-Peraturan Racun (Pindaan) 2018 iaitu :  28. (1) An Application for a licence under the Act shall be accompanied by the following fees:    …

Stable Coronary Artery Disease (2nd Edition)

Last updated on
The previous clinical practice guidelines for the management of stable angina were issued in 2010. Since then, there have been advances in both diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in the management of this progressive disease. Therefore, it is timely for the publication of this CPG, with a title that is now evolved from stable angina to...

Family planning a human right

Last updated on
Shush! Family planning – a common taboo in our society. Many still tread lightly around this topic. Family planning education is important and should be made available to everyone. Due to the lack of education, it is not a surprise that unintended pregnancies are still occurring. Other areas that also contribute to this are the...

Code of Ethics For Pharmacists 2018

Last updated on

Preamble: In the pharmacy profession, the health and welfare of the public has always been and will continue to be the foremost concern among pharmacists. For this principle to be consistently placed above all other considerations in the practice of pharmacy, this Code of Ethics for Pharmacists 2018 has embodied the minimum standards of proper…

This Clinical Pharmacokinetics Pharmacy Handbook 2nd Edition contains the updated information and practice in Clinical Pharmacokinetics Pharmacy. Examples of real case scenario are included in each of the chapter for a better understanding in calculation concept and application. The handbook can be downloaded here.

Others

WHO to look into drug pricing?

Last updated on

Our health ministry has urged the World Health Organisation (WHO) to look into drug pricing by major drug companies. This came about amidst the pressure on the ministry to utilise Compulsory Licensing (CL)* to gain access to generic versions of a Hepatitis C medication. “I hope the international community could look at how pharmaceutical companies…

MOH Statement on Influenza A

Last updated on

On 4 January, the Ministry of Health has released a document pertaining the influenza situation in Malaysia. There was an increase in Influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and admission of patients due to severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) since December 2019 in several parts of the nation. This might have caused panic and unrest amongst the Rakyat…

We are very honor to be mentioned byInternational Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)Education report as one of the bodies along with#MPS and Malaysian Pharmacy Students’ Association (MyPSA) in training leadership for pharmacists. We are grateful to all authors for this comprehensive report! We will do our level best in nurturing the next generation of pharmacy leaders. The full report can…

This is an update on the ongoing case regarding the abolishment of BIPK. To understand the background of the story, be sure to have a read at it here.   Ever since the announcement of the abolishment of the critical allowance, the government has been subjected to endless public furore. Many stakeholders have since voiced…

Compulsory Vaccination a No-Go?

Last updated on

Amidst the governement’s plans to look into compulsory vaccination, The United Nations’ children’s agency has said that this is not the best way to address life-threatening diseases such as measles and diphteria. Marianne Clark-Hattingh, Unicef’s representative in Malaysia said that mandatory laws do not always increase vaccination coverage, according to evidence. After the recent death…

Written by Bryan Tan – Marketing and Communications Associate at YPC, currently a PRP at a retail pharmacy, and pun enthusiast   From 1 July onwards, those who still smoke cigarettes at eateries will be issued summons. Despite the announcement of the ban earlier this year, many eateries can still be seen drowning in cigarette…