𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤: 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬 – 𝐀 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬

On June 21st, Young Pharmacist Chapter (YPC) Penang successfully hosted Career Coffee Talk 2025 — a hybrid-format event designed to offer young pharmacy students genuine insights into the profession.

Held at The Bricks, USM, the session welcomed 36 participants, mostly final- and pre-final year students from USM and AIMST University. The event kicked off with a panel-style forum, followed by breakout Coffee Talk discussions, offering space for personal interaction and career reflection.

Forum Highlights: Diverse Voices, Shared Wisdom

Moderated by community pharmacist and healthcare entrepreneur Chan Wei, the forum featured five speakers from different sectors of the pharmacy profession:

Mr. Nathan Ong — Clinical Pharmacist, Hospital Pulau Pinang

Nathan, a familiar face in Penang’s clinical pharmacy scene, shared what life is like behind the hospital walls. He reminded students that while hospital work can feel overwhelming at first, every difficult case and every challenging rotation is an opportunity to grow your clinical "arsenal."

“You’ll feel like you’re not ready. But day by day, as you sharpen your clinical knowledge, you’ll become not just a pharmacist — but a trusted comrade to the medical team.”

Ms. Yeoh Ee Theng — Private Hospital Pharmacist | YPC Penang Chair

Ee Theng shared how her role in the private hospital sector goes beyond medicines and charts.

“In private hospitals, pharmacists must wear many hats — clinical, operational, and managerial. It’s not just about the drugs you dispense. It’s about communication, inventory, decision-making, and dealing with people every day.”

She encouraged students to hone their interpersonal and leadership skills early — especially those who hope to work in private settings, where pharmacists often take on broader roles in patient management and team coordination.

 Mr. Ho Rhu Yann — Pharmacy Officer | Public Health Advocate | Biotech Co-founder

Rhu Yann offered a refreshing story of career pivots. From hospital practice to public health activism to entrepreneurship, his journey was anything but linear.

“I realised hospital wasn’t for me. So I started observing what the world needs — and what I could contribute to it. That’s how I found public health, and later, biotech.”

He reminded students that it’s okay to outgrow certain environments — and to trust that curiosity, research, and action can lead you to meaningful, alternative paths in pharmacy.

Mr. Johnson Cheah — Pharmacist Turned Digital Health Brand Strategist

Johnson spoke to students about a career few pharmacy schools prepare you for — working behind the scenes of OEM brands, influencer-driven products, and digital commerce.

Many students were curious about the low-barrier, “seemingly easy” entry into the health product world. Johnson gave a more grounded reality check:

“Don’t just look at how cheap it is to start a brand. Ask yourself: do you understand marketing, customer channels, regulations? If it’s easy for you, it’s easy for everyone. The real challenge is how to sustain and stand out.”

Mr. Kelvin Lim — Co-founder, Principal Trainer, Georgetown Pharmacy

As one of the most senior and respected figures in Penang’s community pharmacy scene, Kelvin shared his signature blend of truth, mentorship, and vision.

He encouraged students to start their journey in government hospitals, not necessarily to stay, but to gain broad exposure to cases and find what excites them most.

“You’re going to be stressed. You’ll cry. But you’ll also discover what you truly care about. Use that experience as your compass.”

Addressing the Elephant in the Room: “But… What About Sales?”

One of the most talked-about concerns during both the forum and the Coffee Talk session was this familiar, and often unspoken fear:

“I want to do meaningful work — but I’m scared of sales targets in community pharmacy.”

This is a reality many pharmacy students and early-career pharmacists struggle with. There's a perception that "sales" is about pushing unnecessary products or becoming “less professional” — but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Mr Tan Chan Wei  — Team Principal of PhysioGym by Remeds

Moderator Chan Wei, a community pharmacist himself, offered a refreshing and realistic perspective:

“Sales is not about pushing products. It’s about transferring belief. If we, as pharmacists, genuinely believe in what we’re offering — and we understand how it improves our customer’s life — we’re not selling. We’re helping.”

He went on to share how, in community pharmacy, when you truly understand your customer’s condition, whether it’s diabetes, joint pain,or gut health, and you have the clinical knowledge to explain the right products and lifestyle advice, then: “That so-called ‘sales target’? It becomes just a number — something you can hit naturally, because people trust you, and you’ve earned that trust.”

Mr. Kelvin Lim, delivered an important addition to the conversation.He agreed that sales can and should be value-driven — and that a pharmacist’s knowledge and trustworthiness can naturally lead to improved outcomes and business performance. However, he also offered a serious reminder:

“Don’t misuse the trust people place in you. That trust takes time to build — and a moment to lose.”

Coffee Talk Session: Conversations Beyond the Stage

"If you want to be a respected medical team member, you have to keep your clinical knowledge up to date — not just during PRP, but throughout your career." — Mr. Nathan Ong

After the forum, participants broke into small group Coffee Talk circles, where they got to ask questions directly to the speakers — casually, with no microphones or slides, just real talk.

The atmosphere was open, warm, and non-judgmental. Students shared:

• Confusion about choosing the “right” career

• Fear of making mistakes

• Doubts about switching paths

• And excitement for new opportunities they hadn’t considered before

Many stayed behind for 1-on-1 chats, deepening their connections and leaving with clarity, direction, and even mentorship contacts.

“Always stay ethical. Always be evidence-based. And always put the patient first.” — Mr. Kelvin Lim

 Looking Forward

This year’s Career Coffee Talk reminded us of one simple truth:

There’s no single path. But there is a path for everyone.

YPC Penang is proud to continue building safe spaces for young pharmacists to explore, connect, and grow.

To our amazing speakers — thank you for showing up with your experience, stories, and heart. To every student who came with questions, thank you for your trust and openness. And to our partners and community, thank you for supporting the next generation of pharmacy professionals.