Article Summary
IMU Pharmacy students participated in a geriatric outreach programme focused on frailty, medication safety, and healthy ageing. The experience bridged classroom learning with real-world practice with students gaining hands-on exposure to medication reviews, public education, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Facts at a Glance
Event:
“Your Golden Years: Living With Frail Elderly” Outreach Programme
Location:
SS4C/1 Community Hall
Date:
4 April 2026
Participants:
60 healthcare professionals and students from various universities
A Meaningful Geriatric Outreach Programme
PETALING JAYA– On 4 April, 2026, IMU University’s School of Pharmacy demonstrated its commitment to geriatric care and community service by participating in the “Your Golden Years: Living With Frail Elderly” outreach programme.
Held at the SS4C/1 Community Hall, the event was a collaborative effort led by the Pharmacy Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Malaysian Society of Geriatric Medicine (MSGM) and the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS).
A Multidisciplinary Mission for Healthy Ageing
The half-day campaign, supported by Sukarelawan Komuniti Selangor (SUKA) and Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ), aimed to address the growing needs of Malaysia’s ageing population.
With a focus on frailty—a condition that leaves older adults vulnerable to health stressors—the event provided vital resources on medication safety, fall prevention, and nutrition.
The initiative was a massive collaborative effort involving 60 healthcare professionals, including geriatricians, doctors, nurses, and dietitians, alongside students from various universities.
Student Reflections: Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice
Representing the IMU School of Pharmacy were faculty member, Ms Priya Manirajan and pharmacy students:
- Beh Yi Wen
- Barnabas Tan Jie
- Lai Chooi Yuan
For these students, the event was more than just a volunteer opportunity; it was a deep dive into the complexities of geriatric care.
Mastering Medication Reviews
Beh Yi Wen and Barnabas Tan Jie were stationed at the medication review booth. Under the mentorship of experienced pharmacists, they transitioned from textbook scenarios to real-world patient interactions.
Reflection:
The students gained hands-on experience in interviewing senior citizens, learning how to reconcile medications and identify potential drug-related problems in a community setting.
Public Education and Safety
Lai Chooi Yuan took a lead role at the Kenali Ubat Anda (Know Your Medicine) booth. Her focus was on empowering the public through education.
Reflection:
Lai engaged directly with caregivers and the elderly, clarifying the safety profiles of various medications and the often-misunderstood world of herbal products.
Impact on the Future of Healthcare
The students’ participation went beyond their assigned booths. They witnessed the power of a “whole-person” approach, observing screenings for vital signs, dental health, cataracts, and mental health support.
The programme underscored a vital lesson for future pharmacists: early recognition of frailty and community-based management can significantly reduce preventable falls and hospitalisations. By fostering collaboration between public and private sectors, the event provided IMU students with a blueprint for a unified, interdisciplinary approach to healthcare delivery.
This experience has not only enriched their clinical skills but also reinforced the importance of empathy and coordinated care in supporting health system resilience for Malaysia’s golden generation.
Written by Ms Priya Manirajan
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