Rx Note

Introduction A few weeks ago at work, I was complaining to a colleague that the latest edition of the Garis Panduan Kaunseling Ubat-ubatan, 2025 essentially just copied product leaflet information and compiled it into a checklist. When assessing provisional registered pharmacists (PRPs), I find myself in a deep dilemma regarding how much detail we actually expect them to memorize, and how practical and useful it is to memorize those facts. She pointed out the real reason behind this: authorities realize the newer generation seldom studies beyond what is explicitly provided. Therefore, the current approach is to hand them the material in as much detail as possible, regardless of whether they can fully grasp it. I was stunned for a moment. For too long, I had been complaining about the system while neglecting to see my own ignorance. My own frustration and agony had completely taken hold of me. The Unwinnable Race Against AI Over the past few months, I feel I have slowed down and starte...

Introduction When exploring a medical reference, I always begin by reading the preface . This is where I learn about the origin of the reference, why the author wrote it, and how it is structured. I recall the preface to the Sarawak Handbook of Medical Emergencies . It started as a small handbook of guidelines for the treatment of medical emergencies, written by a medical officer in a district hospital to address the lack of simple yet reliable resources. Years later, it became widely used in many government hospitals across Malaysia. Similarly, many valuable references have evolved from compilations of lecture notes, becoming more comprehensive and widely recognized with each edition , such as Toronto Notes, Rang & Dale's Pharmacology and Symptoms in the Pharmacy . The Origins During my provisional registered year, a senior gave me a valuable piece of advice: " If you appreciate the help we have given you now, pass down what you have learned to your juniors in the future...

Introduction One of my favourite novels is The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. The story begins with an intriguing introduction that draws the reader into the book. It might seem strange to start a story with an ending, but all endings are also beginnings. We just don't know it at the time. The Symphony of Expertise Everyone living in this world is an expert in their own field. As a pharmacist, I can confidently handle medication consultations, but would not dream of fixing a car or building a house. We rely on each other's expertise to get things done, creating a symphony of skills that keeps the world running smoothly. There is a key difference between what you do for passion and what you do for a living. Your professional work demands continuous effort to stay ahead of the curve. You strive for excellence and push boundaries within your chosen field. But, passion is different. It is a project fuelled by interest. When pursuing a passion, you might give up whe...

Introduction During my teenage years, blogging was a popular thing that I was interested in. I had a dream of documenting my life through blog posts , with the intention of revisiting them in my old age. However, the responsibilities and demands of adulthood have taken a toll on me, leaving me with limited free time to jot down my thoughts. Maintaining an blog requires ongoing effort and can take up much of your limited free time. Even now, I often question whether the time I dedicate to blogging, sometimes even sacrificing sleep , is truly worth it. Is Blogging Dead? Well, if you are still able to read this post, the answer is a resounding "NO". In 2022, there are over 600 million blogs out of 1.9 billion websites worldwide. Also, more than 6 million posts go live every day, on average. Nonetheless, blogging has declined in popularity in recent years due to the rise of social media and video content as well as the saturation of the blogosphere. Today, people are more attra...