Ten graduates of Pharmaceutical Sciences at local universities have been awarded the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society (MPS)-Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad (CCM) 2009 Gold Medal Award for outstanding academic and extra-curricular performance.

The MPS-CCM Gold Medal Award is presented annually to top final year students completing the Bachelor of Pharmacy programme at local public and private universities. Recipients are awarded the MPS-CCM Gold Medal, a certificate plus cash award of RM500. 

Lim Chong Teck, 25, one of the 10 recipients of this year''s MPS-CCM Gold Medal Award was surprised but grateful to be receiving the honour.

"It is gratifying to be recognised by the industry and this award really means a lot to me. I am passionate about advancing my career in this industry as well as improving the well being of the community," said Chong Teck, a former Universiti Malaya student who is currently based at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital, Klang.

"I chose to study Pharmacy because I wanted to be in a professional job that allows me to help others and serve the society at large. I believe that knowledge is a gift in itself and should be applied towards enhancing the lives of others. This recognition is invaluable and will motivate me to work harder to achieve greater success in my career," added Chong Teck who wishes to open his own community pharmacy. Another recipient, 21-year old Wan Maisarah Wan Ahmad Kamal never expected to be part of the cream of the crop amongst Pharmacy students in the country.

"Honestly, it was not my decision to study Pharmacy but my father''s. However, I have always wanted to run my own business and the thought of setting up a retail pharmacy sprang to my mind which finally prompted me to trust my father''s judgement and take up pharmaceutical studies ," said Wan Maisarah who enjoys baking and adventure sports.

"I''m ecstatic beyond words. I see winning this award as a stepping stone towards realising my long-term goal. I look forward to completing my one-year internship and three-year government service and aim to gain as much knowledge and experience as possible," added Wan Maisarah, a former Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences and now works as a provisionally registered pharmacist at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital, Klang.

Speaking at the award presentation ceremony, CCM Pharmaceuticals Division Director, Encik Leonard Ariff bin Abdul Shatar said the MPS-CCM Gold Medal Award was CCM''s contribution to the industry by way of acknowledging young top achievers while providing the budding pharmacists a platform to accomplish more in the long run. "The changing demographics, expectations for better healthcare and prevalence of diseases amongst Malaysians have contributed to rapid growth of the pharmaceutical industry and increased the demand for highly qualified pharmacists in the country. "As a sponsor for the past 12 years, we recognise the important role that pharmacists play in assuring the quality and safe administration of medicines in Malaysia. Together with MPS, we hope that the award will inspire young graduates to embark on a journey to become dedicated healthcare professionals who are well versed in the development and utilisation of medicines while maintaining public interest at the heart of their profession," added Leonard. "We are thankful to CCM for its unwavering support throughout the years and hope that the recipients will continue to pursue professional development to understand the evolving trends in the pharmaceutical industry as they strive to achieve the highest standards of professionalism and excellence in the field," said MPS President, Datuk Nancy Ho. Other award recipients include Phuan Ke Shin (Universiti Sains Malaysia), Chua Eng Wee (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), Siti Nurfajariah Said (International Islamic University Malaysia), Lim Mun Kit (University College Sedaya International), Oh Hui Shian (Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology, Nur Hidayah Kamaruzaman (Universiti Teknologi MARA), Jason Loo Siau Ee and Tan Shin Yee (both from International Medical University). The presentation of  the MPS-CCM Gold Medal Award was organised in conjunction with the MPS''s annual general meeting (AGM) which also included a talk entitled, "Quality Use of Generic Medicine: Wading through The Myth & Facts" by Dr Mohamed Azmi Ahmad Hassali, a senior lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia.

CCM, Malaysia''s largest generic pharmaceutical manufacturer, is listed on the main board of Bursa Malaysia and is a key player in the fertilisers, chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries.

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Issued with the compliments of Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad
TBy Eric Pringle Associates Public Relations Sdn Bhd.
For further information, please contact Ida Fazila Ismail
at Tel no: 21617144 or email: ifazila@epapr.com.my