Feedback from Malaysian pharmacists who underwent a 3-year period of compulsory service with the government

Since 2004, it is mandatory for all new pharmacy graduates in Malaysia to serve the government for a period of 4 years, before they are free to work as registered pharmacists in a sector of their choice, either public or private. With the enactment of this compulsory service, the government hoped to fill and retain the many positions for pharmacists in the Ministry of Health that had been vacant for a number of years. A survey, using a questionnaire, was carried out to find out the views of the first batch of pharmacists who had completed or were just completing their compulsory service. The total number of pharmacists who participated in the survey was 175. More than 85% of the respondents were female. Graduates from a private university formed the largest group (39%). Overall, 76% were satisfied with the compulsory service and almost 90% of the respondents felt that the compulsory service had played an important role in developing their professional skills. About 68% of them planned to continue working with the government. Among the reasons for wanting to remain in the public sector were job security, benefits provided by the government and the ability to utilize their professional skills. Among those who did not plan to remain in government service, the most frequent reasons given were poor chances of career development and lack of prospects for promotion. Overall, the compulsory service appears to have met one of its goals of retaining the services of pharmacists in the public sector. Concerns about career development and prospects for promotion should be addressed. Recently announced changes in the career structure and promotion scheme for pharmacists will address some of these concerns.