PHARMACY PROGRAM The Pharmaceutical Service in Sarawak Health Department is responsible for enforcing the poisons, drugs and pharmacy legislations, provision of pharmaceutical services and provision of drugs and non-drug pharmaceutical supplies. The main activities are: Enforcement and Licensing Pharmaceutical Care Services Procurement and Distribution The sections responsible for carrying out the above activities are: State Pharmaceutical Laboratories and Stores in Kuching Regional Pharmaceutical Analytical Laboratory in Kuching Divisional Pharmaceutical Laboratories and Stores Enforcement Units at State Health Office and in Sibu All pharmacy units in hospitals, health centers and polyclinics throughout the State. Enforcement and Licensing This ensures that the import, sale or supply and advertisement of drugs, pharmaceutical products and controlled chemicals are in accordance with the following pharmacy legislations enforced in the State: Poisons Act 1952 (Revised 1989) and Regulations Sale of Drugs Act 1952 (Revised 1989) and Regulations Medicines (Advertisement & Sale) Act 1956 (Revised 1983) and Regulations Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (Revised 1980) and Regulations Licensed premises are inspected regularly for compliance with existing laws and regulations. Raids are conducted on unlicensed premises. back to top   Pharmaceutical Care Services Pharmaceutical Care Services include the dispensing of drugs to outpatients in hospitals and bigger health centers and supply of drugs and other pharmaceuticals to inpatients. Clinical Pharmacokinetics Service and Drug Information Services are also provided in the major hospitals, while only Sibu Hospital provides Cytotoxic Drug Reconstitution Services. back to top Procurement and Distribution The procurement, storage and distribution of pharmaceutical supplies and equipment to all hospitals and health facilities are managed under this activity. The Pharmaceutical Laboratories and Stores current stock about 3,800 items. Besides procurement and distribution activities, manufacturing of extemporaneous preparations with special formulations are also carried out. Manufacturing of commonly-used galenicals and eye drop preparations not available in the market is carried out in the Pharmaceutical Laboratories and Stores In addition,salt iodisation plants in Kuching and Sibu iodise salt for retailers and for the Sarawak Health Department. The iodised salt is sold by retailers in the goiter endemic areas in sarawak, It is distributed free to mothers attending antenatal clinics in rural areas. Pharmaceutical analysis of medicines is conducted by at the Regional Analytical Laboratory in Kuching according to requests from enforcement units, manufacturing laboratories and also for checking the quality of supplies purchased from private companies. back to top e-mail us at shd@sarawak.health.gov.my