Chemistry Content in the Pharmacy Curriculum: Relevance to Develop Pharmacists Fit-to-work in Diverse Pharmacy Profession Sectors

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research

  • Chun Wai Mai1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • Ramadas Anitha2Department of Pharmacy, Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Jalan Pahang, 50586, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • John Jeh Lung Tiong3School of Pharmacy, Taylor’s University, No. 1 Jalan Taylor’s, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
  • Pei Kuan Lai4Institute for Research, Development and Innovation. International Medical University, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • Mallikarjuna Rao Pichika1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • Alexander Irvine Gray5Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Volume 49 Issue 4 Pages 240-247

DOI: 10.5530/ijper.49.4.1

Abstract

Background: The high employability of pharmacy graduates across various sectors such as in the community pharmacies and hospital settings, the pharmaceutical industries and academia has lent credence to the versatility of their professional training. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gauge the perception of International Medical University (IMU) pharmacy graduates on the applicability and relevance of the chemistry knowledge and practical skills acquired from their professional education in their working place. Methods: The survey was designed based on the pharmacy curriculum of IMU. Qualitative and quantitative responses were collected and analysed by three independent investigators who were not the respondents, and not lecturing in any part of the Chemistry curriculum. The study was completed when the qualitative feedback from respondents reached saturation. Results: Almost equal numbers of pharmacists from the different pharmacy disciplines: (1) industrial and regulatory, (2) hospital and clinical, (3) community and (4) academia, participated in this study. Most of the chemistry topics were rated as essential by the graduates. Some topics were rated very relevant (more than 80%) whereas only up to 30% of the graduates agreed on the essentiality of some topics to their profession. Conclusion: The study concluded that most of the current chemistry content is still essential in nurturing competent pharmacists for their respective disciplines. The outcomes of this study will be used as evidence to support the need for conducting a curriculum review, to better prepare graduates for their future employment.

Keywords

  • Chemistry
  • Competency
  • Fit-to-work
  • Graduates
  • Pharmacy Curriculum
  • Pharmacy Profession
IJOPP

Loading…