From young, How Xian Wei has always been keen to understand scientific concepts, with a particular interest in chemistry.
He shared, “I've always been fascinated by pharmaceutical chemistry and wanted to know more about how medicines affect the human body."
Xian Wei's passion for chemistry coupled with his caring personality eventually led to him pursue a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at the National University of Singapore.
With his excellent results in university, Xian Wei was able to apply for, and received MOHH's Healthcare Merit Award (Scholarship). After graduating, he joined the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) as an IT Pharmacist in 2020.
Vital Role of an IT Pharmacist at NCCS
Most people probably have not heard of the occupation 'IT Pharmacist'. But as technology continues to permeate every facet of our lives, the relationship between healthcare and technology continues to grow.
As an IT Pharmacist at NCCS, Xian Wei plays several key roles which require a high level of precision and skill.
At the NCCS' outpatient oncology pharmacy, Xian Wei supports pharmacy operations by filling prescriptions for cancer patients, but it is a role that goes beyond just distributing medications.
According to Xian Wei, “Drugs used for cancer treatments are very different from those used to treat non-cancer patients. They may sometimes cause side-effects such as nausea, fatigue, diarrhoea and constipation."
As a pharmacist at NCCS, Xian Wei has to carefully manage the side effects of the cancer treatment drugs.
“When filling prescriptions, I need to know whether patients are on birth control, breastfeeding, or if they have any other health conditions. This is because some cancer drugs can be affected by other medications the patient is on."
To ensure patient safety, Xian Wei makes it a point to carefully explain the what the medication is for and appropriate dosage and usage to each patient.
“When patients first start on chemotherapy, they may sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed."
I try to address their concerns and ease their anxiety by encouraging them to ask questions and learn more about their condition. I feel happy knowing that I can empower patients through education," Xian Wei says.
Besides dispensing medications, Xian Wei is also responsible for reviewing and adjusting chemotherapy doses for patients.
“Every patient reacts differently to chemo which is why we need to take into account factors like a patient's medical history, lab results, and what medications they are currently on."
“After that, we meet with the patient's oncologist to present and discuss our findings and prescribe medications to help patients manage the side effects."
Combining IT With Pharmaceutical Knowledge
Throughout his journey as an IT Pharmacist at NCCS, Xian Wei has participated in several exciting projects, one of which is the Outpatient Pharmacy Automation System (OPAS) Project.
“OPAS is a robotic arm which automatically packs and dispenses medication for patients. The machine keeps track of patient records and fills prescriptions without the need for human intervention."
Operating the Outpatient Pharmacy Automation System is part of Xian Wei's day-to-day responsibilities.
The OPAS project was already ongoing before Xian Wei joined NCCS. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 in Singapore led to delays in implementing OPAS.
“When I first joined NCCS, I had the privilege to be part of the team that was working on implementing OPAS. I've always been keen about tech and robotics, so it was a fantastic opportunity for me."
As this was a pioneer project, Xian Wei and his colleagues had no reference points on what needed to be done, so everything had to be developed from the ground up.
What followed was months of extensive testing and meetings with vendors to solve issues and ensure the system runs smoothly. Xian Wei, who was in charge of inventory, undertook the meticulous task of inputting 800 different drug variants into the system, ensuring comprehensive coverage and accuracy.
Automation and Tech
Christmas gift exchange with colleagues!
Xian Wei and his colleagues' hard work finally paid off when the OPAS was rolled out in December 2022.
Prescriptions at NCCS are now automatically picked, packed, and labelled by the OPAS' robotic arm. At the same time, stock levels are constantly monitored by the system, making inventory management much easier for Xian Wei.
“Before automation, all medications were packed by hand and we had to physically match everything to prevent errors. This system isn't foolproof and there was the risk of human error."
With the introduction of technology, things have changed significantly. Drugs now have individual barcodes which provide the pharmacist with all relevant information when scanned.
Given his unique expertise in pharmaceuticals and IT, Xian Wei has been appointed as “power user"; an individual with extensive knowledge of the OPAS system, to bridge the gap between vendors and users.
This opportunity has enabled Xian Wei to engage and collaborate with a diverse range of experts including systems engineers, IT analysts, and software engineers.
“Industry experts may not have background knowledge regarding NCCS' pharmacy operations. As an IT pharmacist, I can better communicate potential issues and areas of improvement with the vendors."
“By better understanding our difficulties and problems, it allows the vendor to design a better solution or upgrade our IT services."
While technology and new systems have made things more efficient for pharmacists, he believes that the human factor still plays a key role in pharmacy.
“As healthcare providers, our focus is always the safety and wellbeing of patients. While technology has reduced the risk of errors, it doesn't mean it's infallible," Xian Wei cautions.
“For example, instructions printed on drug labels may be perceived differently by patients. This is why I regularly review instructions on drug labels and ensure that they can be easily understood by our patients."
Beyond the Dispensary
The dynamic nature of work as an IT Pharmacist and the many learning opportunities are what Xian Wei enjoy most.
“Every day is different and I'm always working on something new. These experiences keep me sharp and has helped to hone my problem-solving and creative thinking skills significantly."
Xian Wei's many responsibilities may seem overwhelming or stressful at times, but for him, they are a source of motivation.
Xian Wei receiving the Healthcare Hero certificate
“Sometimes, it feels like there's always something that needs to be done. But seeing how my work impacts the lives of patients and colleagues makes it all worth it."
“I feel a strong sense of satisfaction when I see things run more efficiently and knowing that patients' medications are dispensed accurately and safely."
Far from the misconception of a pharmacist as someone just sitting behind the counter distributing medication, Xian Wei's journey is a clear example of the many important roles that pharmacists play behind the scenes in Singapore's healthcare sector.
For those looking to follow in his footsteps, Xian Wei has theis to say, “Keep an open mind, give your best, and always be ready to embrace new challenges."
“You'll be surprised at how this can often open up new opportunities for those willing to try."
Want to find out more about what Xian Wei does? Check out this video which features his work as an
IT Pharmacist.
MOH Holdings (MOHH) is currently offering scholarships to nurture the next generation of pharmacy and allied health professionals. These scholarships are in partnership with public healthcare institutions and allow you to study in local and overseas universities. For more details on the health science disciplines offered, check out
this page.