{
  "id": 14410949,
  "title": "Set quota, timeline for permanent pharmacists’ posts, health ministry told",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/set-quota-timeline-for-permanent-pharmacists-posts-health-ministry",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-14T08:16:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/14/set-quota-timeline-for-permanent-pharmacists-posts-health-ministry-told"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) has called on the health ministry to set a specific quota, selection process, and timeline for transitioning contract pharmacists to permanent roles. This request follows remarks by health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad, who indicated that the ministry would recommend the absorption of contract pharmacy officers into permanent positions for consideration by the finance ministry and the Cabinet.\n\nThe society has requested detailed information regarding the number of posts to be proposed, the timeline for approval, and the eligibility of various cohorts of contract pharmacists. They also inquired about the status of pharmacists who have completed or exhausted their contract tenure but remain interested in continuing their service.\n\nCurrently, there are 3,545 contract pharmacists employed by the ministry, with an additional 115 awaiting permanent positions. The MPS asked whether the 115 would receive priority status, and whether pharmacists whose contracts have expired could still be considered for permanent roles.\n\nThe society's president, Amrahi Buang, expressed appreciation for the proposed creation of a new quota for permanent pharmacy and dental officers, distinct from the 9,000 permanent medical officer positions announced in the 2027 budget. However, he emphasized that the immediate priority is to develop a clear, transparent, and actionable pathway for this transition.\n\nBuang stressed that the affected pharmacists need sufficient assurance to make informed career decisions while serving in the public healthcare system. He noted that resolving this issue demands a comprehensive, sustainable pharmacy workforce strategy that addresses staffing needs, retention, career development, and the evolving role of pharmacists within the healthcare system.\n\nThrough its Public Pharmacists Chapter, the MPS pledged to continue gathering feedback from impacted pharmacists and advocating for equitable and sustainable career paths.",
  "summary": "Society also wants to know the number of positions, and eligibility criteria for absorbing contract pharmacists into permanent service.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Set quota, timeline for permanent pharmacists’ posts, health ministry told",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/set-quota-timeline-for-permanent-pharmacists-posts-health-ministry-14416555",
        "published": "2026-10-14T08:16:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}