Today Online, Monday • September 17, 2007

WITH the growth in the fields of healthcare, pharmaceuticals, life sciences and research in Singapore, it is no surprise that there is an increasing demand for pharmacists.

However, there are just 0.3 practising pharmacists per 1,000 population here — the lowest among developed countries, from 1.2 in France and Japan to 0.4 per 1,000 population in Denmark.

To bump up the numbers, the Ministry of Health is looking to recruit pharmacists from overseas over the next five years, Ministry of Health chief pharmacist Ang Hui Gek (picture) told Today.

"We'll need more pharmacists, and the supply of local graduates will not be not enough to meet the demand," she said.

Last year, the National University of Singapore's pharmacy department produced 150 graduates, up from 41 in 1996.

But this is still not enough, Ms Ang added. Ideally, 200 new pharmacy graduates should join the workforce every year.

And of the 1,482 pharmacists on the register here, less than half are involved in direct patient care such as practising in hospitals, polyclinics and retail pharmacies.

This, at a time when pharmacists have become more than mere custodians of medicine, but also an important part of the healthcare delivery system. They now make the rounds at hospital wards with doctors to ensure patients get safe, effective drugs.

So, among the amendments to the Pharmacist Registration Act, which will be debated in Parliament this week, is one to allow the conditional and temporary registration of foreign-trained pharmacists.

This is the first time in more than 20 years that amendments are being made to the Pharmacists Registration Act, which was drafted in 1979.

A Pharmacist Specialists Register will also be set up to anticipate more of such healthcare professionals.

To further upkeep industry standards, all pharmacists will have to undergo compulsory continuing professional education — just like doctors and dentists. A specialist register will be also set up.

In addition, the current Singapore Pharmacy Board will be converted into a new statutory body known as the Singapore Pharmacy Council, with more rigorous registration and disciplinary frameworks put in place. — Tan Hui Leng

Comments (23)

Kay: Recognize or not?

We were all hyped, motivated and looked forward to the annoucement made some time ago about taking in more foreign pharmacists. It's more than half a year since the announcement and we have not heard any updates. Has it been approved or do we, foreign pharmacist, still remain unrecognized? If that's so, it'd be good to at least let us, poor foreign pharmacists know so we could move on...

1

July 21, 2008

primrose: to apply medical sales representative in singapore

hello!
I am a pharmacist in myanmar.Now I am working a pharmaceutical as medical sales representative for two years.I want to work as a pharmacist in singapore.

2

January 17, 2008

Mark Lester Sandoval: pharmacist

good day!

i am a registered pharmacist here in the philippines
i got interest working in singapore as pharmacist
i am planning to have my visit there by february
and look for some job opportunity
can you please helpme.
thanks so much.

3

January 17, 2008

M.SENTHAMIZHSELVAM: PHARMACIST

I am B. PHARM graduate from india( Dr . MGR medical university) , I have 5 years experience in Retail pharmacy.I also looking for a job in Singapore as a pharmacist. I am a registred pharmacist in India,.I request you to provide me a pharmacy job , so that it will be helpful to me in all means.


Regards

4

January 11, 2008

chlorophyll: I want help

Hi!How are u?
I am a Pharmacy student from Myanmar.I want to study in singapore and to work in singapore.But my parents could not afford me for studying in singapore.Do u have any plan to give scholar for Myanmar students?
May God Bless u!

5

December 01, 2007

Rupesh: Mr

hi,
I have done my graduation in Pharmacy from india.I worked as Medical Representative also worked as pharmacist , a total experience of 8 years.
Can you tell me how can i work here in Singapore.My brother is also in Singapore so want to shift with him.Is there any local company which can help me to migrate here.
Please help me ASAp.
Waiting for reply

6

November 13, 2007

PSS Admin: Professional Registration of Pharmacist in Singapore

Dear All,

Many thanks to all of you to have paid diligent attention to the pharmacy professional landscape here. Please note that the professional registration matter for pharmacists is under the purview of Singapore Pharmacy Board, Ministry of Health. Do visit the website www.spb.org.sg
Currently, we are not aware of the Board's recognition of pharmacy degrees from India, Myanmar and Philippines.
The laws may change with time, but if you are keen to explore, do get in touch with the Board through the website above.

Good luck,
PSS Admin

7

October 29, 2007

Jocelyn Acedo Bentic: Looking for job as pharmacist

Greetings from the Philippines.
I am Jocelyn A. Bentic a pharmacy graduate from University of San Carlos. Since I earn my license as registered pharmacist i am blessed to work since 1994 up to the present. May i have the honor to work as pharmacist in singapore. Thanks for the help.

Sincerly Yours,
Jocelyn

8

October 29, 2007

jean: looking forward to work as a pharmacist in Singapore

Good day! I graduated a B.S.Pharmacy in the Philippines and had an experience in a drugstore. I am very much interested to work in any field of pharmacy at Singapore. What are the requirements to get a work? Can you please send me the qualifications and more info about this.

Thank you so much! I am hoping for reply.
God Bless!

9

October 22, 2007

JULY MYO: Wanting to sit for the registered exam in singapore

Have a nice day!I have gratuaded B.Pharm degree
in Myanmar.I have two years working experience at a polyclinic .I hope to sit for the exam as the other foreigners.I will try my best if l was permitted.Do I
need working experiences in singapore?I want to survive by working in Singapore.It is very kind of you if you give me some more information.Thank you.

10

October 22, 2007

Febe: ...

I am doctor pharmacist from the philippines.I have my own retail drugstore in the philippines for more than 6 years now.i am interested of havin a job in singapore as pharmacist any interested company please do write me in my email addy i will be glad to send in my cva.

11

October 22, 2007

ARUN: Registration as pharmacist

I am a postgraduate in pharmacy from India.I am working in Singapore.I wish to register as pharmacist in Singapore pharmacy board.So I request you to give details regarding registration.
Thanking you,
With regards,
Arun

12

October 20, 2007

Krishnakumar: Registration in singapore pharmacy board

i am very happy to read tis sentences
thanks for ur information
I did M.Pharm (Pharmacy Practice) in India
Wt course wil b helpful to me
Awaiting ur response
Thanks and regards
krishnakumar

13

October 20, 2007

MANICKAM JEYAKANDAN: About My Feature

I am a postgraduate pharemacist from India. I have total 8 years experience in pharma and hospital environment.I have the singapore PR status still i don't have the way to registered my degree over here please guide me how i can make the registration. I hope you may get the vita information from you.
I am registered pharmacist in Saudi and India.
Please cosider my request and give advice.

Thanking you


With regards
MANICKAM JEYAKANDAN.

14

October 14, 2007

Htwe Htwe Nge: pharmacist

I am a graduate pharemacist from Myanmar. I have3 years experience in hospital pharmacy.I also looking for a job in Singapore as a pharmacist. I really wish to continue my Study in pharmacy field and wish to become registered pharmacist by singapore board so that it would be easy to find a job easily.

15

October 08, 2007

Jen: Finally!

Like many of you, I have been waiting for this day to come too! I am in the education field related to the pharmacy practice. Penny, I saw your comments. You mean you graduated from the UK, registered with the RPSGB but you aren't allowed to practise in the UK? Hmm.....that's strange..Care to share more?

16

October 04, 2007

Shakila: Pharmacist job

I am graduate in pharmacy.I am interested in working as a hospital parmacist in singapore.How could i register as a pharmacist in Singapore.

17

October 03, 2007

Saleem: Good news

I am a Singaporean and i am running the pharmaceutical whole sale business in Singapore. I graduated from Madras University. If I get the chance to recognized my B.Pharm degree,it will be very helpful for my business

18

October 02, 2007

Maricel: ...

Good day!
I hope this one will be granted.I'm presently working here in Singapore, and really waiting that Foreign License Pharmacist like me will be recognized here in Singapore.Thanks so much.

19

September 22, 2007

mohamed akthar.k.s: It is my pleasure to work in singapore

respected recruiting authorities,
I am Indian registered pharmacist have clinical pharmacy training good knowledged and interested in pharmacy profession. i am waiting for the chance to get pharmacist job. i hope get soon possitive reply.

20

September 21, 2007

PENNY BUCKINGHAM: MISS

Great news. I have been considering working in Singapore for quite some time now and have approached employers to no avail. I am a UK trained pharmacist with over 15 years experience (both in community and hospital) with my current postion being Lead Oncology Pharmacy. I am very keen to get employment in Singapore ao feel free to contact me !

21

September 20, 2007

tess: Hoping to get a job there soon

I am a Pharmacist from Philippines.
This is really a good news for us that soon you will be recruiting Pharmacist from Overseas.
Because when I visited Singapore I really wanted to work there.
But everytime I check the advertisement it should be Singapore residence.

22

September 20, 2007

Godwin Isaac Blessing: Pharmacist job

My name is godwin isaac blessing a post graduate in pharmacy from india looking for a pharmacy job in singapore.i request you to provide me a pharmacy job , so that it will be helpful to me in all means.


Regards

Godwin .

23

September 19, 2007

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