Three IMU Pharmacy students participated in a two-week elective placement in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, from 26 April to 9 May 2026. The placement provided students with valuable international exposure to both community and hospital pharmacy practice through attachments at Complete Care Pharmacy South Hobart, TerryWhite Chemmart, and Royal Hobart Hospital. Students gained first-hand experience in patient-centred pharmaceutical care, multidisciplinary collaboration, medication management, and vaccination services while developing their clinical knowledge, communication skills, and understanding of the Australian healthcare system.

Three pharmacy students from IMU University completed a two-week international pharmacy elective placement in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, from 26 April to 9 May 2026. Through attachments at Complete Care Pharmacy South Hobart, TerryWhite Chemmart, Royal Hobart Hospital and the University of Tasmania (UTAS), the students gained valuable international clinical exposure while enhancing their understanding of patient-centred care, professional communication and the expanding roles of pharmacists within Australia’s healthcare system.

Throughout the placement, students observed how pharmacists collaborate with other healthcare professionals to:

• Optimise patient outcomes
• Promote safe and effective medication use.

The experience also allowed students to compare pharmacy practice between Malaysia and Australia while gaining valuable insights into different healthcare delivery systems.

• Fou Shi Ying (middle)

• Suvarna Maya Previn (left)

• Samuel Ann Chee Meng (right)

The pharmacy students completed their community pharmacy attachments at Complete Care Pharmacy South Hobart and TerryWhite Chemmart, where they were introduced to the daily workflow of Australian community pharmacies.

During this placement, students observed:

• Prescription dispensing processes supported by automated labelling systems,
• Patient triage for minor ailments,
• Vaccination services,
• Medication adherence programmes through Webster pack preparation, and
• Patient counselling activities.

They were particularly impressed by the pharmacists’ ability to communicate effectively with patients through concise, friendly, and professional interactions while delivering patient-centred care.

As part of the elective programme, students participated in an immunisation workshop at the University of Tasmania (UTAS) alongside local pharmacy students.

The workshop provided opportunities for cultural and academic exchange with Australian students and lecturers while strengthening students’ understanding of pharmacists’ roles in vaccination services.

Through practical sessions, students learned vaccine preparation techniques, safe injection procedures, and best practices for immunisation delivery in a supervised learning environment.

Students also completed clinical rotations at Royal Hobart Hospital, where they were exposed to a wide range of pharmacy services across multiple departments, including General Medicine, Cardiology, Respiratory Medicine, Paediatrics, Manufacturing and Dispensing, Trauma and Surgery, and the Emergency Department.

During these rotations, students observed medication reviews, inpatient dispensing, multidisciplinary ward discussions, and clinical decision-making processes.

One of the highlights of the placement was participating in the preparation of oral suspensions within the Manufacturing Unit under the supervision of hospital pharmacists, providing valuable hands-on experience in pharmaceutical compounding.

Outside the clinical programme, students explored Hobart and several of Tasmania’s renowned attractions, gaining a deeper appreciation of the local culture, history, and natural landscapes. These experiences complemented their professional learning by broadening their global perspectives and fostering meaningful interactions with the local community.

The elective placement provided students with a rewarding international learning experience that strengthened their:

• Clinical knowledge
• Communication skills
• Professional confidence

By experiencing pharmacy practice within Australia’s healthcare system, students gained valuable insights into patient-centred care, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the diverse roles of pharmacists in different healthcare settings, preparing them to become globally minded pharmacy professionals.