Background: Dispensing separation (DS) is a critical policy change that will reduce medical costs, improve population health and increase the quality of healthcare in Malaysia. This study aims to determine the awareness and perception of the public regarding the DS methods. Methods: This cross-sectional study uses a pre-validated, self-administered questionnaire, which has been administered to 200 residents in Jitra, Kedah, Malaysia. Descriptive and inferential statistics have been used to analyse the data. Results: Females formed 64.0% of the participants, with Malay being the dominant ethnic group (n = 167, 83.5%); 77.5% of the participants reported they were aware of the role of pharmacists in the healthcare system. However, 35.0% of the participants reported having never heard the term ‘dispensing separation’ in any mainstream media in Malaysia, whereas 73.5% of the participants reported that a pharmacist was more reliable than a physician in providing medicines once the diagnosis had been made and 77.5% of them acknowledged that pharmacists were experts in the field of medication. There was a significant association between the participant’s awareness and the agreement on perceptions toward the implementation of the DS (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Awareness of the implementation of DS among residents in Jitra is still low. However, there is strong evidence of public support and the benefits of DS in Malaysia.

No abstract

District Chief (Penghulu Mukim) in selangor is a civil servant appointed by the current selangor state public service commission who acts as the head of administration at the district level and the traditional formal leader of the community, not based on politics. District Chief played a major role in the Malay community starting from the era of the rule of the Malay Kings before the arrival of the British. District Chief becomes an intermediary between stake holders and the people. The institution of Penghulu is also often associated with the Islamic religious affairs of the community, especially in matters of weddings, mosques, celebrations of Islamic great days, points of reference for the views of household institutions, management of small inheritances and so on. The Islamic Religious Administration Enactment (Selangor State) 2003 states that the District Chief is the Advisor for the mosque in his district based on the provision in item 41. (5) Regulations of Mosques and Suraus (Selangor State) 2017. Therefore, the District Chief has a role and responsibility in religious affairs and the Muslim community in Selangor. Thus, this article aims to identify the role and responsibility of the District Chief as a community leader in matters of religion and Muslims in Selangor today. Quantitative method is the research design chosen in this study. The method used in this study is literature research by referring to primary sources and secondary sources consisting of articles, journals, enactments and guidelines. The method of field research by interviewing the District Chief in the district and the Union of Penghulu/Penggawa Peninsula Malaysia (KPPSM) Selangor State Branch was also carried out. The results of the study found that District Chief plays an important role in Islamic religious affairs for the Muslim community, especially in the administrative area.