Love what you do and do what you love
By Benedict Lee (Class of ‘20)
Mr Leong Mun Sum with lecturer Dr Chng Hui Ting (left) and student writer Benedict (right)
In this issue, we spoke to Mr Leong Mun Sum, the Managing Director of Leung Kai Fook Medical Co Pte Ltd, about his experiences as a pharmacist and in the industry.
Mr Leong Mun Sum obtained his Bachelor’s Degree and Master of Pharmacy from the University of London. He is also a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Mr Leong has received the Public Service Medal (2009) and the Public Service Star (2016) for his public service to the people of Singapore. He is currently the Managing Director of Leung Kai Fook Medical Co Pte Ltd.
Could you share with us a bit more about your background as a pharmacist? Why did you choose to study Pharmacy?
My late father, Leung Yun Chee, the founder of LKF Medical, had five sons. He wished one of them could become a pharmacist to upgrade and modernize the factory and expand the business. Back then, when inspectors came to audit the factory, it was also difficult without a pharmacist around.
I am very proud that I have fulfilled my father’s wishes. I received the necessary qualifications, obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master of Pharmacy from the University of London. I am also a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
What did you enjoy most while studying and practicing as a pharmacist? How have your experiences helped you in managing LKF Medical?
I have many fond and happy memories of the years when I was studying and practicing as a pharmacist in Great Britain. I rented a one-room flat, and enjoyed learning to cook, do the laundry and grocery shopping by myself.
During my one-year pharmacist pupillage in a hospital, I learned to make mixtures, creams and ointments in bulk for dispensing to the hospital wards. It was then that I received a scholarship to study my Master of Pharmacy. During this time, I also worked as a locum pharmacist twice a week in the evening in a retail setting, earning 3 GBP a night.
All these experiences gave me a good start when I returned to work in a Contract Manufacturing Factories producing pharmaceutical products, toiletries, and household products in Singapore and Malaysia. Ultimately, I became the Managing Director of the companies, which were under the publicly listed Inchape Group of international companies.
Other than gaining vast experience working as a pharmacist in the factories, I also learnt a lot about business management which has been very useful in the managing of LKF Medical.
Could you share with us some plans LKF Medical has for the future?
LKF Medical is exploring new ways of marketing including the use of social media and online communication to market and promote our products. On top of that, we also continue to sponsor research projects in universities to develop new technologies for product development.
20 years ago, the Axe Oil was viewed as a product for elderly people. Now we are living in the computer age, where people spend hours on the computer and their phones, and they may experience shoulder and backache, so Axe Oil is relevant for all. The Axe Oil has survived until now because it is effective and it is affordable.
What is your opinion on the future of pharmacists?
I feel that the future of pharmacists is very bright. Recently, the Ministry of Health has extended the Pharmacy Specialty List from five to seven specialties. Critical care and pediatric pharmacy are the newest, joining cardiology, geriatrics, infectious diseases, oncology and psychiatric pharmacy as specialties available for pharmacists to pursue. On top of that, pharmacists have been given more roles in the healthcare landscape, such as the Collaborative Prescribing Program which expands the possibilities for pharmacists to contribute to healthcare in Singapore.
Love what you do and do what you love.
You will be successful.
– Mr Leong Mun Sum
What advice do you have for our pharmacy undergraduates or graduate students who may be interested in business or entrepreneurship?
‘Love what you do and do what you love. You will be successful.’ This is the piece of advice I offer to young people, regardless of their interests or careers.
Do you have any motto or principles you live by?
‘Take from society, give back to society (取于社会, 回归社会).’ I am a firm believer in aiding the society. One example is that LKF Medical has supported financial assistance scholarships for students who may need them. The company also contributes to various charities.
Your family is also very important, as they are what you have. That is why, I am very proud that I was able to fulfil my father’s wishes by becoming a pharmacist.
We are deeply inspired by Mr Leong’s passion for the pharmacy profession, and thank him for sharing his personal stories and words of wisdom. The NUS Department of Pharmacy would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Leong Mun Sum for his generosity in supporting research to address the needs of Singapore’s ageing population and also contributions to education via the Leong Mun Sum Scholarship.