Instilling Professionalism in Graduating Pharmacy Students with renewal of Pledge

23 April 2013 – IMU Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) (Hons) students of cohort B1/09 renewed their pledge with the ‘Oath of a Pharmacist’ to mark their transition from trainee pharmacist to practitioners, at the second Pharmacy Professional Day held at the University’s campus in Bukit Jalil. This Day serves as a reminder to students of the values, skills and qualities that are needed to service others through the profession of pharmacy. These students are also reminded to share their knowledge and skills with other members of the healthcare team as well as with future pharmacists.

In conjunction with this event, there were a series of talks supported by speakers from Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society (MPS) and MPS-Young Pharmacist Chapter. There was also a presentation of the IMU Alumni Association. These activities are to remind students that “Graduation is not the end, it is the beginning of their responsibilities towards their profession.”

Since the launch of the IMU BPharm (Hons) programme in 2004, IMU has adopted the concept of developing professionalism in a pharmacy student from the very first day of university by having a White Coat Ceremony. In this Ceremony, the entire cohort will take the Pledge of Professionalism to embrace and develop professional values and attributes. At the ceremony, each student will be symbolically robed in a white laboratory coat to signify their entry into the healthcare community. Throughout their studies in IMU, these students will be exposed to various aspects of professionalism in different subjects in their curriculum. Upon completion of their pharmacy degree, the graduating students will then take the Oath of a Pharmacist to renew their commitment towards their chosen profession.

Oath of a Pharmacist

“I promise to devote myself to a lifetime of service to others through the profession of pharmacy. In fulfilling this vow I will draw upon my innovation, imagination, and insight to contribute effectively as a member of the healthcare team.

- I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering my primary concerns.
- I will apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal outcomes for my patients.
- I will respect and protect all personal and health information entrusted to me.
- I will accept the lifelong obligation to improve my professional knowledge and competence.
- I will hold myself and my colleagues to the highest principles of our profession’s moral, ethical and legal conduct.
- I will embrace and advocate changes that improve patient care.
- I will utilize my knowledge, skills, experiences, and values to prepare the next generation of pharmacists.