PHARMACIST

CODE OF ETHICS
By Mary Jane Molina RPh,MSPharm
 A guide of principles
designed to help professionals conduct business
honestly and with integrity.

Professional ethics
in an organization would mean
a set of values, principles and morals
followed in the best defined manner.

Codes of ethics that define

what is right and what is wrong,
which decision to take and which one to leave.
• Under the definition of professional code of conduct, an
unethical behavior can cost a lot to the company.
• It will not only bring bad name to the project, organization
but can also damage the employee's career.
• If the employees of the organization do not behave
professionally on ethics it will reflect badly on the
organizations image which can be very damaging overall.
 Pharmacists
are health professionals who assist individuals
in making the best use of medications
WHAT IS ETHICS?
Ethics is the systematic study of what is right and good with
respect to conduct and character.

A Covenant
= promise = legal Contract
to provide quality pharmacetuical care.
Ethical Dilemmas
e.g., A patient doesn’t want to take
his meds, out of stock drugs.
A patient drugs for AIDS.

Irreconcilable Problems
e.g., Unauthorized but medically
need refill, over prescribing of diet
pills / Antibiotics.
Sources of Ethical Standards

1. General Moral Code.

2. Professional Moral Code.

Professional Obligations

Veracity: Truthful
Privacy: Left alone
Fidelity: Keep promises
Confidentiality: Patient information
General Pharmacy Practice Ethical Examples

1. Drug Exchange
2. Drug Waste
3. Drug Marketing
4. Patient Counseling
Ethical Principles
A- Autonomy: Independent decision
e.g., Informed Consent, Refusal
of treatment
B- Nonmalefacience: At least do no harm
e.g., Dispensing drug with not enough
information.
Negligence: Professional misconduct
e.g., Digoxin tox., TPN tox.
Tonsillitis case
Erectile dysfunction drugs
C. Beneficence: to do good, to remove harm, to
promote welfare.

• Isolation room / AIDS / Hepatitis

D. Justice: Fair distribution of goods is right

This Code, prepared and supported by
pharmacists

These principles, based on moral

obligations and virtues, are established
to guide pharmacists in relationships
with patients, health professionals, and
society.
Code Of Ethics
1. A pharmacist respects the covenantal relationship between the patient and
pharmacist.
2. A pharmacist promotes the good of every patient in a caring,
compassionate, and confidential manner
3. A pharmacist respects the autonomy and dignity of
each patient.
4. A pharmacist acts with honesty and integrity in professional relationships.
5. A pharmacist maintains professional competence.
6. A pharmacist respects the values and abilities of colleagues and other
health professionals.
7. A pharmacist serves individual, community, and societal needs.
8. A pharmacist seeks justice in the distribution of health resources.
Oath of Pharmacist

At this time, I vow to devote my professional life

to the service of all humankind through the
profession of Pharmacy.

Will consider the welfare of humanity and relief

of human suffering my primary concerns.
 ?
We need to Change the Attitude……
Pharmacy is a moral practice and
pharmacists have special moral
obligations, including but not limited
to, promoting the welfare of patients,
protecting them from harm, and
respecting their rights to self-
determination