A total of 155 pharmacists graduated from Faculty of Pharmacy Universitas Gadjah Mada academic year of 2010/2011 followed graduation ceremony. There are 93 people graduating with cum laude honor. The event was held at UGM Graha Sabha Pramana on Tuesday (13/9). It was attended by official representatives of the Health Office, Indonesia Pharmacists Association Regional Board as well as the National Pharmacy Committee.
Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Dr. Marchaban, DESS., Apt., in his speech after inaugurating the pharmacists expressed his pride. Marchaban recognizes most of the pharmacists from UGM are women. Marchaban hopes that they can provide health services to the community more maximally.
"We recognize that most of pharmacists are women. Of the 155 graduates, 29 are men and 126 are women," said Marchaban.
With the inaguration of the 155 new pharmacists, said Marchaban, it means that there are at least 5768 pharmacists in Indonesia graduating from the UGM Faculty of Pharmacy.
Earlier, Regional Board Chairman of the Indonesia Pharmacists Association (IAI) of Yogyakarta, Nunut Rubiyanto, S.Si., Apt assessed that up to this moment there is still an urgent task to do especially to change the paradigm of the pharmacists role who often become merely a shop assistant (clerk). Nunut also acknowledges the imbalance in number of pharmacists that are mostly women.
"Especially, if you look at the distribution of pharmacists, which is still not balanced because there are more pharmacists on Java Island than on the outside of Java," said Nunut.
In line with Nunut, Chairman of the National Pharmacy Committee (KFN) Drs.Purwadi, Apt.MM.ME, conveyed that with their competency certificate, the role of pharmacist to participate in improving community health is expected to continue. On that occasion Purwadi admitted the concern that from thousands of pharmacists in Indonesia there are only about 5% who work in health services, especially community health centers.
"Of course, it is ironic that only 5% work in health services, especially community health centers. Well, then, where are the thousands of other pharmacists?" Purwadi asked.
In the same place, the Head of Yogyakarta Provincial Health Office, dr.Sarminto, M. Kes., also hopes that the new pharmacists also participate in the development of herbal drugs that are currently advancing. In view of Sarminto, pharmacists also have a significant role, especially related to drug dosage.
"Of course, (their role) is more significant than that of the doctor, so, hopefully, there is more intensive cooperation between the two to increase the level of public health," said Sarminto.