KUALA LUMPUR — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) and the Health Ministry (MOH) to expedite efforts to resolve issues surrounding the recognition of pharmacy qualifications obtained from Alexandria University in Egypt.
In a statement today, the Prime Minister’s Office said it had taken note of concerns raised by Malaysian pharmacy students regarding the recognition of the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) qualification for professional registration and practice in Malaysia.
“The Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) to give due attention to and prioritize the resolution of this issue as soon as possible in the interest of the affected students,” the statement read.
The Prime Minister’s Office clarified that the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) currently has no objections to the academic recognition of the programme. However, professional recognition for registration as a pharmacist remains subject to approval by the Pharmacy Board Malaysia.
“At present, the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) has no objections to the academic recognition of the relevant programme,” the statement said.
It added that professional recognition for the purpose of registration as a pharmacist “requires consideration and approval from the Pharmacy Board Malaysia”.
The statement stressed that both ministries should work towards a comprehensive resolution that safeguards the interests of students while maintaining the standards required of the pharmacy profession.
“MOHE and MOH must resolve this issue comprehensively,” the statement said, adding that any decision should be guided by the Madani principles of justice, compassion and wisdom without compromising established professional standards.
The issue affects at least four Malaysian students currently enrolled in the PharmD programme at Alexandria University. They face uncertainty over examination requirements, practical training obligations and their prospects of practising as pharmacists in Malaysia upon graduation.
The controversy emerged after it was revealed that the Pharmacy Board Malaysia had not been consulted when MOHE offered placements for the PharmD programme at the Egyptian university.
Addressing concerns over the programme’s status, the Pharmacy Services Programme Division under the Pharmacy Board Malaysia stated that Alexandria University’s PharmD qualifications are not currently recognised for pharmacist registration in Malaysia.
According to the division, the pharmacy programmes from Alexandria University presently recognised under the First Schedule of the Registration of Pharmacists Act 1951 (ROPA 1951) are the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science and the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Clinical Pharmacy).
“However, PBM understands that both programmes were discontinued in 2019,” it said, as reported by NST.
The board noted that Alexandria University now offers two new pharmacy programmes — the Bachelor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and the Bachelor of Pharmacy (PharmD) in Clinical Pharmacy.
“To date, no application has been submitted for the recognition of these new programmes, and therefore they have yet to be recognised by PBM,” the division said.
The affected students said they only became aware that the programme lacked recognition in Malaysia after nearly four years of study, prompting concerns over their eligibility for professional registration and future employment opportunities. – June 5, 2026