Adapting medication communication for Malaysia's diverse patient needs

Every day, thousands of Malaysians rely on clinics, hospitals and pharmacies for their chronic medications. Yet, for many, communicating about those medicines is far from ideal. While our healthcare system rightly emphasises safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, how we truly connect with patients is often overlooked. Effective medication counselling is a core responsibility of pharmacists, especially in public healthcare settings where managing chronic diseases depends heavily on patients' ability to understand and stick to their prescribed regimens. However, in diverse populations like Malaysia's multicultural and multilingual society, sharing medication information isn't a neutral process. It's profoundly shaped and often constrained by factors such as language proficiency, religious beliefs, age, education level and even access to technology. These variables collectively influence how crucial medication information is received, interpreted and acted upon.