I hold a Mpharm. from london school of pharmacy with lower 2nd class degree. Is there a graduate entry for medicine in M'sia? If so, how long is the duration and what are my chances of getting in? or are there any other alternative schools that are available throughout M'sia that offers MBBS/MD for 4 yrs? i am sorry if repeating Qs here, but its been 14 years since i've been living abroad, so have very little prospects on medical schools here.

pharmacy profession is awesome and good but the only problem is that there is not enough clinical/medical responsibilities which is what i am seeking for. Medicine allows you to specialise and there are so many different areas/fields within the profession. A lot more clinical responsibilities. I am not good in business and the other areas of pharmacy, which is a let down!

lol, err... those masters doesnt mean clinical responsibilities. more like names that makes it sound clinical haha. but yes specialisse ure right but still at the end, you're still acting as a pharmacist and there are limits for pharmacies. think i know my field of work, no offense. unless you are a pharmacist or studying pharmacy, only those ppl can tell you what its actually about.

I have an offer for MBBS from MSU. I am seriously considering this offer, however would like to extend my dilemma to LYN users just to get fresh prospects. I'm wondering if i should accept and move on with it.

The situation: I hold a degree. In fact, i've completed Mpharm. from abroad, uk.
I've applied to IMU, to which they hve rejected me based on missing out 1 point of my I.B grades and on top of that i've only achieved a second lower in my degree (58% - just 2% of a second higher). The ultimatum given was that IMU would like to see me having atleast 2 yrs work exp. which basically means I could finish my Pharmacy registration in tht amt of time (2-3 yrs) and be under the M'sian Pharm. Board, which allows me to work independently if choose to do so.

So, to re-cap the situation, should I pursue my pharm. registration for now and then re-apply to accredited Med sch. as IMU, etc. or should I hitch on the ride now since i have already received an unconditional MBBS offer from MSU, given that the prog. is not as established as IMU?
(MSU mbbs don't allow you to work abroad for further studies right?)

OR - 3rd option - pursue Pharm. and just forget Med. because as pharmacy allows you to have a better general quality of life (such as working hrs, registrations/reguulations, etc.) than medicine?

*Note about myself:
I am a knowledge seeker, I know i will enjoy studying medicine jst as ive done 4 yrs of pharm. school, so to me it feels like pharmacy can be a stepping stone in life to pursue to the next level - a Doctor - an authoritative figure, bigger responsibilities, leader, that pretty much will test all aspects of your capabilities to the limit; only a few reaches that optimal point where you have successfully balance your weaknesses to your strengths, thus attaining the true level of competency as a Medical Doctor. This is what i see Medicine is all about.

On the other hand, I am also able to accept Pharmacy profession just because i already have it in hand. Working as a pharmacist can still also land you an important role in medical world (not to sure about Msia?), although I probably will look into opening my own pharmacy business if chosen not to pursue Medicine. Ultimately, will still be happy with life given the less no. of working hrs and days, allows me to spend time with loved ones at home and on top of that, still will be financially stable as compared to a Doctor.

So - there you have it. In M''sia with the current trend and prospects, is it worth-while for me to pursue my passion for medicine NOW (or wait 2 yrs for IMU) or is it better to invest the money, time and effort into Pharm. and develop from there?

Please, plzz help me by providing your advice, thoughts or any comments from experiences will be much appreciated! THANKS LYN.

@Huskies

Thanks for providing an insightful comment. I am not going to disagree with any of the things you mentioned above, as it's all true. I guess my biggest fear is that if i decide to opt for passion (medicine) now, will i lose out in life when i grad (as your analogous suggests - giant sinking ship)...as in face problems with registration/housemanship due to the over-flooding of 'medical graduates'?

Instead i can steer clear of all this semi-foreseen obstacles and use my pharm. degree for a better purpose.

Hmm, interesting indeed...haha, to be honest, i am stumped!

@cckkpr
thanks.
I agree to some extent, competent prof. will always be in demand but as Huskies mentioned this might not be entirely applicable for medicine...although we never know being here, a doctor is a doctor regardless how incompetent the person may be.

@huskies
Parents know nothing of Med sch., and school-leavers barely knows what medicine is all about which frustrates me. M''sia should adopt a system where only a degree holder could apply for Medicine; only graduate medical schools. Just like Uni. of Melbourne did where they scrap their 5 yr mbbs into a 4 yrs M.D graduate, to apply you need to be a science based degree holder with pre-requisite subjects as anatomy, biochem, physio, etc...this eliminates all the wanna-bes and the obsessed parents.

I've looked at Perdana U which is our 1st graduate med sch. but the fees are killer just to have J.H. written in your CV! although this allows a path for residency in U.S, which might attract some of the rich ones.

Ppl like me are the ones who are being left out here - when i talk to most of the sch. (Monash, etc), they told me i am not eligible for the prog. as these are Undergrad. level studies. Monash said to apply to their graduate med school located in Aussie - but i respondd my pref. of staying in M''sia after living abroad for years! >_< haha, frustrates me thinking abt some of the lame reasons given by few sch. i wont mention here! But the real truth is that they perceive me as a liability to their accreditation/recognition, worried abt MQA/MMC given my qualifications i come with (no local qualifications as PMR, SPM; all frm international sch. abroad + mpharm.) for an undergrad. mbbs. N yes i was born in M''sia if you all are curious. lol.

@limeeu
Although my passion lies with medicine, with the current situation and the controversies with med schools here - i don't think M''sia is ready for someone like me haha,, (not to sound arrogant); bcus the system looks and sounds a bit wonky, so i might rather stick to pharmacy and enjoy at what i do instead of being stuck in a wonky system that might not benefit me in 5 yrs time!



Thanks to all the comments, definitely struck some nerves there and making me think!