Anwar orders swift resolution to PharmD recognition dispute affecting Malaysian students in Egypt

THE federal government has moved to address growing concerns among Malaysian pharmacy students studying overseas after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ordered an immediate resolution to issues surrounding the recognition of the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) qualification.

The directive follows complaints from Malaysian students enrolled at Alexandria University in Egypt, who have raised concerns over barriers affecting their ability to complete professional requirements and pursue careers as registered pharmacists in Malaysia despite undertaking programmes originally offered through government-linked educational pathways.

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said both the Higher Education Ministry and the Health Ministry had been instructed to give the matter urgent attention and work towards a comprehensive solution.

“The Prime Minister’s Office has taken note of complaints submitted by pharmacy students at Alexandria University, Egypt, regarding this issue.

“At present, the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) has no objection to the academic recognition of the programme concerned.

“However, professional recognition for the purpose of registration as a pharmacist requires consideration and approval by the Pharmacy Board Malaysia,” the statement said.

The issue has placed affected students in a difficult position, with concerns extending beyond academic recognition to professional accreditation requirements necessary for practising as pharmacists in Malaysia.

Reports indicate that several Malaysian students studying in Egypt have encountered uncertainty over mandatory examinations, practical training placements and professional registration pathways, raising fears that years of study could be jeopardised by unresolved regulatory requirements.

The Prime Minister’s Office stressed that the matter must be resolved in accordance with the MADANI Government’s principles of fairness, compassion and good governance, particularly when decisions directly affect the future of young Malaysians.

“This matter must be resolved immediately in the interests of the students, without compromising the professional standards established for the pharmacy profession,” the statement added.

The intervention signals the government’s intention to balance the protection of professional healthcare standards with the need to provide clarity and certainty for students who have invested significant time and resources pursuing recognised qualifications abroad.

Attention will now focus on discussions between the Higher Education Ministry, the Health Ministry, the Malaysian Qualifications Agency and the Pharmacy Board Malaysia as efforts intensify to find a solution that safeguards both professional integrity and students’ career prospects. - June 5, 2026