Objective: This preliminary study aimed to determine the challenges faced by community pharmacists in Malaysia and identify the scope of their survival and future in their business environment. Methodology: The study populations were the community pharmacists in Penang and Kedah, two northern states in Malaysia. A survey was carried out to collect the data on respondent's demography, business profile, challenges and obstacles faced by community pharmacists in business and the future role of

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... unity pharmacists in the next five years. Respondents were selected based on convenience. Chi Square test was used to measure the association of categorical variables; independent t-test was carried out for continuous variables; alpha level=0.05. Findings: A total of 103 pharmacists participated in the study. Less than half of the respondents (n=40, 38.8%) felt that franchise pharmacy such as 'Watson Pharmacy' and 'Guardian Pharmacy' do affect their business. More than three-forth (n=81, 78.6%) felt that pharmacists will have their dispensing rights in the near future. From the total number of respondents in town, 44.3% (n=27) agreed that franchise pharmacy had significantly influenced their business while 55.7% (n=34) disagreed with the statement. Both town and suburb pharmacies felt that 'management skill' is the most needed skill in the future for a pharmacist. Half of the chain pharmacy respondents felt that 'counseling' is the most needed skill in the future while 38.8% (n=37) of the independent pharmacy respondents think that management is the most important skill required. Conclusion: The community pharmacists perceived several threats to their future business survival. Among the threats, the major one being the 'dispensing doctors' which are a widely accepted practice in the country.