Code of Ethics of a pharmacist

Prof. Maha Ghanem

Chairman of Ethics Committee - Faculty of medicine - Alexandria University – Chairman of Alex IACUC- Vice chairman of Central committee of
scientific research – supreme council of University hospitals
Member of AAFS -Member of EMAME -Ass Ed of AJME
History
An appreciation of the importance of professional ethics has a
long history starting when the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
adopted a Code of Ethics in 1848. Since the first legislation of the
American Pharmacy Code of Ethics as far back as 1852, the code
has been revised in 1922, 1952, 1969, 1981 and 1994.
Role
Clinical pharmacists are the
experts in the therapeutic use of
medicines in the healthcare team
and may perform various tasks
including Evaluating medication
therapy and making appropriate
recommendations to patients or
health practitioners.
Ethics
principles
These principles, based on moral
obligations and virtues, are
established to guide pharmacists
in relationships with patients,
health professionals, and society.

As a health professionals assist

individuals in making the best use
of medications.
 Patient Community

You have
obligation
towards

Colleagues and
profession
1-Respects the relationship with
the patient
1. A pharmacist’s prime responsibility is to achieve the patient’s well-being by means of
providing suitable drug treatment and following up on the same for the purpose of improving or
preserving the patient’s health and quality of life.
2. A patient has the right to ask for the pharmacist’s intervention, as an expert in drug
therapy, in any of the processes in which medicine is involved.
3. A pharmacist promotes the patient’s claim to be provided with safe, effective treatments.
4. A pharmacist respects the patient’s dignity and promotes the bioethical principle of
individual autonomy so that the patient may take part in the decisions having a bearing on their
own health.
5. A pharmacist establishes individualized communication with the patient which
humanizes and facilitates a pharmacist’s professional practice and fosters a relationship of trust
with persons even of different beliefs and values.
6. A pharmacist provides treatment information which is truthful and
well-suited to each individual patient.
7. A pharmacist takes joint responsibility along with the patient in
proper adherence to treatment.
8. A pharmacist respects the cultural and personal differences of
patients, if they not violating upon the dignity and rights of others.
9. A pharmacist safeguards the privacy and confidentiality of the
personal details of the patients, maintaining professional secrecy, save the
cases for which provision is made under law.
10. A pharmacist places the patient’s benefit before his/her own
personal, professional, economic or commercial interests.
*CONCERNING OTHER
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
11. A pharmacist keeps professional skills and abilities up to date.
12. A pharmacist avoids work-related practices, conduct or conditions which may
be detrimental to his/her independence, objectivity or professional judgment.
13. A pharmacist cooperates with colleagues and other healthcare professionals
by acting honestly and with integrity in all professional relations, regardless of the
hierarchical relationship among them and avoids unfair competition.
14. A pharmacist respects the authority and actions of colleagues and other
healthcare professionals, even when the beliefs and values thereof differ from
his/her own, provided that they not infringe upon the dignity and rights of others.
15.A pharmacist must objectively inform the respective instances, with all due
discretion, as to any violations of the standards of ethics and professional
competence which have been observed thereby in other colleagues or
healthcare professionals.
16.A pharmacist strives to contribute to the advancement of science and the
profession by researching in the discipline ( specialty ) in which working in
keeping with the established ethical and legal standards.
17.A pharmacist who carries out teaching activities as part of his/her
professional practice has the duty of ensuring good teaching quality, making
special mention of the ethical principles inseparably intrinsic to the
pharmaceutical profession.
 *CONCERNING SOCIETY AS A
WHOLE
18. A pharmacist takes responsibility for promoting and preserving the improvement of
the health of the population.
19. A pharmacist achieves an equitable allocation of the healthcare resources on the
basis of objective, transparent criteria, particularly when the same are limited.
20. A pharmacist takes part in the care-providing processes for the purpose of ensuring
the safety and the process of furnishing information concerning the problems related to the
drug therapy, determining jointly with his/her colleagues whatever corrective measures and
actions aimed at improvement are necessary.
21. A pharmacist respects the provisions of law and regulatory standards. A pharmacist
cooperates in the modification thereof when, in keeping with technical or scientific criteria, a
contribution is made toward better benefitting patients and the profession.
22.A pharmacist’s responsibility and personal freedom entitle him/her to
exercise the right of dedicated objection. In any case, a pharmacist must inform
the competent authority thereof so that the patient will not be deprived of
pharmaceutical care.
23. A pharmacist refrains ( avoid ) from contributing to, advising or taking part
in those professional practices or measures in which his/her knowledge and
skills are placed at the service of acts which are an attempt on human life,
personal human dignity or human rights. (euthanasia )
24. A pharmacist is respectful of the surroundings and environment in relation
to medicines, promoting policies for suitable disposal of waste and educating
others in environmental protection.
2-Promotes the good of every patient in a
caring, compassionate, and confidential
manner.
A pharmacist is dedicated to protecting the dignity of the patient.
With a caring attitude and a compassionate spirit, a pharmacist
focuses on serving the patient in a private and confidential
manner.
3-Respects the autonomy and
dignity of each patient
promotes the right of self-determination and recognizes individual
self-worth by encouraging patients to participate in decisions
about their health. A pharmacist communicates with patients in
terms that are understandable. In all cases, a pharmacist respects
personal and cultural differences among patients.
4-acts with honesty and integrity
in professional relationships
Tell the truth and to act with conviction of conscience.
Avoids discriminatory practices, behavior or work conditions that
impair professional judgment, and actions that compromise
dedication to the best interests of patients
5-maintains professional
competence
A pharmacist has a duty to maintain knowledge and abilities as
new medications, devices, and technologies become available and
as health information advances.
 6-respects the values and abilities of
colleagues and other health professionals
When appropriate, a pharmacist asks for the consultation of
colleagues or other health professionals or refers the patient.
7-Serves individual, community,
and societal needs

The primary obligation of a pharmacist is to individual patients.

However, the obligations of a pharmacist may at times extend
beyond the individual to the community and society
8-seeks justice in the distribution
of health resources
.

When health resources are allocated, a pharmacist is fair

and equitable, balancing the needs of patients and
society.
Code of Ethics for Pharmacists

Madrid – September 25, 2015

World Pharmacists Day