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Pharmacy comprises a number of sciences, which contribute to our understanding of medicinal substances and medicines, their origin, nature, properties, formulation, production and effects, and their effective use in the prevention and treatment of disease. By virtue of this interplay of disciplines, the pharmacy student becomes well-grounded in science and can choose many different career paths.

A career in pharmacy can be versatile and highly rewarding. There is a growing need for pharmacists to employ their unique knowledge and skills in patient care, particularly as the range of available medicines continues to grow. The graduate can choose to work with people by supplying medicines, product and healthrelated information and advice, and helping to manage chronic illness. This can be done in both community and hospital settings within the large and growing healthcare sector.

Pharmacists hold key responsibilities in the expanding pharmaceutical industry, and are in constant and growing demand. There is an acute shortage of pharmacists in Malaysia, in all sectors, and suitably qualified graduates are needed in scientific and clinical research, formulation research and development, industrial production and marketing, regulatory affairs, even healthcare publishing, and last but notleast, academia.

What is the structure of the programme?
BPharm
The BPharm (Hons) programme uses an innovative curriculum developed entirely by the IMU School, is completed in four years (8 semesters), and is undertaken in Malaysia. The curriculum is largely based on Body Systems, and integrates the study of these systems in health & disease with the study of drug treatment. An entire semester in the fourth year is devoted to research and another semester to supervised practise.The BPharm (Hons) programme uses an innovative curriculum developed entirely by the IMU School, is completed in four years (8 semesters), and is undertaken in Malaysia. The curriculum is largely based on Body Systems, and integrates the study of these systems in health & disease with the study of drug treatment. An entire semester in the fourth year is devoted to research and another semester to supervised practise.

MPharm
This collaborative programme offers the experience of high quality overseas study leading to the award of the MPharm Integrated Masters degree of the University of Strathclyde. The course follows the syllabus and uses the innovative teaching methods of the Strathclyde degree.

Two options are offered:
  • a. 2 1/2 + 1
    Two and a half years of study (Part A, 5 semesters) at the IMU Bukit Jalil campus, followed by 13 months (Part B, 3 semesters) at the Strathclyde School of Pharmacy, where IMU and UK students are taught together in the final academic year (Year 4).
  • b. 2+2
    Two years of study (Part A, 4 semesters) at the IMU Bukit Jalil campus, followed by 2 years (Part B, 4 semesters) at the Strathclyde School of Pharmacy, where IMU and UK students are taught together in Years 3and 4 of the course.


The Strathclyde School and the IMU share an educational philosophy that aims at developing skills and competence in self-directed learning, problem-solving, team working and professionalism. The Strathclyde School is accredited by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, and its degree is recognised for its quality, for being up-to-date and student-centred. The Scottish National Higher Education Funding Council has given the Strathclyde School an "Excellent" rating for teaching, complimented it on its high level of research achievement and commended it for the excellent relationship between faculty and students.

IMU students on this course use the same learning materials as those who undertake the whole course in Glasgow. Examinations are set and marked by the IMU School and validated by the Strathclyde School. IMU students also benefit from visiting lecturers from Strathclyde. Final year results consistently show that IMU and Strathclyde students achieve the same standards. Key aspects of course delivery are subject to stringent internal and external audit to ensure that IMU based students receive a comparable educational experience to their Scottish counterparts.

What are key features of the programme?
The IMU Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) (Honours) Programme
  • Largely based on Body Systems
  • Integrates the study of these systems in health & disease with the study of drug treatment
  • Students are systematically exposed to community, industrial and hospital pharmacy practice, culminating in extended clinical pharmacy attachments. Their skills and competencies are progressively built throughout the course, first using simulations, then supervised practice.
  • Scientific ethos and rigour are inculcated throughan entire semester (Semester 7) devoted to research.
  • To effectively prepare the student for professional life, the course has been designed around a progressive increase in studentcentred & self-directed learning, and a corresponding decrease in didactic & teacher-centred activity.


The Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) Programme (2 1/2 + 1)
  • An eight-semester programme taught over 3 1/2 calendar years
  • 22 calendar years (5 semesters) spent at IMU and 1 calendar year (3 semesters) at University of Strathclyde
  • Identical curriculum for both IMU and UK students
  • Modern and innovative
  • Use of computer-aided learning
  • Student-centred learning
  • Opportunities for postgraduate studies at international level


The Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) Programme (2 + 2)
  • An eight-semester programme taught over 4 calendar years
  • 2 calendar years (4 semesters) spent at IMU and 2 calendar years (4 semesters) at University of Strathclyde
  • Identical curriculum for both IMU and UK students
  • Modern and innovative
  • Use of computer aided learning
  • Student-centred learning
  • Opportunities for postgraduate studies at international level


What are the semester contents?

The IMU Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) (Honours) Programme
Semester 1
  • Basic Mathematics
  • Biological Science
  • General Chemistry
  • Genetics for Pharmacists
  • Human Biology
  • Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry I
  • Introduction to Pharmacy Practice
  • Statistics for Health Professionals
  • English
  • Pengajian Islam/Moral
 Semester 2
  • Cardiovascular System
  • General Pharmacology
  • Haematology System
  • Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry 2
  • Pharmaceutics I
  • Physical Pharmacy
  • Understanding the Patient
  • Bahasa Malaysia
Semester 3
  • Drug Metabolism
  • Natural Products in Medicine
  • Microbiology for Pharmacists
  • Pharmaceutical Analysis I
  • Pharmaceutics II
  • Renal System
  • Respiratory System
  • Skills Development: Extemporaneous Dispensing
 Semester 4
  • Biotechonology
  • Complementary Medicine
  • Gastrointestinal System
  • Immunology & Adverse Drug Reactions
  • Medicinal Chemistry
  • Pharmaceutical Analysis II
  • Pharmaceutics III
  • Skills Development: Dispensing
  • Pengajian Malaysia
Semester 5
  • Central Nervous System
  • Endocrine System
  • Management for the Pharmacist
  • Pharmaceutics IV
  • Reproductive System
  • Selectives
  • The Pharmacist as a Healthcare Professional
 Semester 6
  • Cancer Chemotheraphy
  • Clinical Pharmacy I
  • Clinical Pharmacokinetics
  • Current Trends in Therapeutics
  • Electives
  • Pharmacy Jurisprudence
  • Musculoskeletal System
  • Toxicology
Semester 7
  • Research Methodology
  • Research Project I
  • Research Project II
 Semester 8
  • Clinical Pharmacy II
  • Clinical Pharmacy III
  • Clinical Pharmacy IV
  • Evaluating Pharmacotherapy: Critical Appraisal, Evidence-Based Medicine & Pharmacoeconomics


The Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) Programme (2 1/2 + 1)
IMU Component
Semester 1
  • Foundation Chemistry for Pharmacists
  • BioScience I for Pharmacists
  • Mathematics for Pharmacists
  • Physiology I
  • Biopharmacy I
  • Personal Skills Development
 Semester 2
  • Foundation Pharmacy
  • Physiology II
  • BioScience II for Pharmacists
  • Statistics
  • English Elective
  • Bahasa Malaysia Elective
  • Personal Skills Development
Semester 3
  • Malaysian Cultural Studies Elective
  • Biopharmacy II
  • Fundamentals of Pharmacology
  • Pharmaceutical Microbiology
  • Physical Pharmacy
  • Personal Skills Development
 Semester 4
  • Drugs & Disease I
  • Pharmacy Practice I
  • Health Promotion (incorporating Complementary
    Medicines)
  • Biopharmacy III
  • Personal Skills Development
Semester 5
  • Biopharmacy IV
  • Drugs & Disease II
  • Drugs & Disease III
  • Pharmacy Practice II
  • Personal Skills Development
  
At University of Strathclyde
Semester 6
  • Formulating
  • Manufacturing & Testing 1 + 2
  • Pharmacy Practice III
  • Personal Skills Development
 Semester 7 & 8
  • Biopharmacy V
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Clinical Pharmacology and Prescribing
  • Pharmaceutical Care
  • Advanced Drug Discovery
  • Personal Skills Development


The Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) Programme (2 + 2)
IMU Component
Semester 1
  • Basic Mathematics
  • Foundation Chemistry
  • Biopharmacy I
  • BioScience I for Pharmacists
  • Physiology I
  • IMU English Stage 1
 Semester 2
  • Bahasa Malaysia
  • Foundation Pharmacy
  • BioScience II for Pharmacists
  • Physiology II
  • Statistics for Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • English Studies
  • Personal Skills Development I
Semester 3
  • Malaysian Studies or Composition Skills
  • Fundamentals of Pharmacology
  • Physical Pharmacy
  • Biopharmacy 2
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Microbiology
  • IMU English Stage 3
 Semester 4
  • Drugs & Disease I
  • Pharmacy Practice I
  • Health Promotion
  • Personal Skills Development
  • IMU English Stage 4
At University of Strathclyde
Semester 5 & 6
  • Personal Skills Development 3
  • Pharmacy Practice 2
  • Biopharmacy 3
  • Pharmacy Practice 3
  • Biopharmacy 4
  • Formulation
  • Manufacturing and Testing
  • Formulation, Manufacturing and Testing
  • Drugs and Disease 2
  • Drugs and Disease 3
 Semester 7 & 8
  • Biopharmacy V
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Clinical Pharmacology and Prescribing
  • Pharmaceutical Care
  • Advanced Drug Discovery
  • Personal Skills Development


The University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde was founded in 1796 and is Scotland's third largest, with some 14,000 students from more than 90 countries. The University is recognised as a centre of teaching excellence in Scotland and stands among the best in the world. Its pharmacy course is noted for its progressive and innovative curriculum.

The overall quality of educational provision in pharmacy at the University of Strathclyde has been judged "excellent" by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council. The particular strengths of the School were considered to be the academic environment; the commitment and motivation of teaching staff; the high quality of student-support materials and the commitment to student-centred learning; the clear specification of module aims and objectives; the range of teaching and learning methods employed; and the strong scientific basis of the course.

The School of Pharmacy at the University comprises the Departments of Physiology & Pharmacology; and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Teaching and research are carried out at the newly-built John Arbuthnott Building. The website for the School of Pharmacy is http://www.strath.ac.uk/Departments/Pharm Sci/pharmacy.htm

Are students guaranteed a place at the University of Strathclyde?
Every student who passes the examinations at the IMU is guaranteed a place to continue the course at Strathclyde. Students graduate in June or July each year.

Is accommodation provided at Strathclyde?
All IMU students are guaranteed a place of accommodation at the University of Strathclyde. The halls of residence are situated within walking distance.

What is the medium of instruction?
The medium of instruction is English. Students who come from a system of education in which the medium of instruction is not English are strongly recommended to improve their proficiency in English by making their own arrangements to attend additional English Language classes before entering the IMU.

Is the degree recognised?
MPharm
The Strathclyde degree is recognised by the Malaysian Pharmacy Board (MPB) and the Malaysian Government. Graduates are eligible for professional registration with the MPB and the degree is recognised for postgraduate studies worldwide. Graduates may apply for registration with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) after they have registered with the MPB.

What happens after I graduate?
Registration in Malaysia
Graduates are eligible for registration with the Pharmacy Board of the Ministry of Health. The requirements for registration are:
  • Completion of pupilage, which is a year of pre-registration training and experience; and passing the Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination. These entitle the graduate to provisional registration
    • Pupilage is undertaken only at government health-service institutions, which include district and general hospitals, the National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau and teaching hospitals such as Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, University Malaya Medical Centre and Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
    • The Pharmacy Jurisprudence examination assesses knowledge and application of Malaysian law regulating the sale and supply of medicines.
  • Completion of a 3-year period of government service, which entitles the graduate to full registration. Current information about registration requirements may be found at the website of the Pharmaceutical Services Division of the Ministry of Health, http://www.pharmacy.gov.my/html/index0.htm

Registration in United Kingdom
To become a Pharmacist in the UK you must first study an undergraduate four-year Integrated MPharm programme which has been approved by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. All graduates who want to become practising pharmacists must then complete one year of paid training in either community or hospital pharmacy (six months may be spent in industry). Successful completion of an exam, set by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, allows graduates to apply for registration as a member of the Society (MRPharmS). Only members of the Society may be in charge of a pharmacy. Graduates of the 2 + 2 option may apply for pre-registration training during their final year.

Graduates of the 21/2 +1 option may apply for registration with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain after they have registered with the Malaysian Pharmacy Board. Current information is available at the website of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, http://www.rpsgb.org.uk.