CODE OF ETHICS FOR PHARMACISTS
The statement was adopted by the Council of the
International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) at its Council meeting in
Vancouver on 5th September 1997.
Introduction:
A profession is identified by the willingness of
individual practitioners to comply with ethical and professional standards with
exceed minimum legal requirements.
Pharmacists are health professionals who help people
to maintain good health, to avoid ill health and, where appropriate, to acquire
and make the best use of their medicines. The role of the pharmacist has
changed significantly in the last twenty years. Whilst the fundamental ethical
principles remain essentially the same, this Code of Ethics has been redrafted
to reaffirm and state publicly the principles that form the basis of the roles
and responsibilities of pharmacists. These principles, based on moral
obligations and values, are established to enable national pharmaceutical
organizations through their Codes of Ethics to guide pharmacists in their
relationships with patients, other health professionals, and society generally.
Pharmacists seek to act with fairness and equity in
the allocation of health resources available to them.
Principles:
In the practice of their profession:
1. The pharmacist` s prime responsibility is the good
of the individual.
Obligations:
-
to be objective,
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to put the good of the individual before personal or
commercial interests (including financial interest),
-
to promote the individual` s right of access to safe
and effective treatment.
2. The pharmacist shows the same dedication to all.
Obligations:
-
to show respect for life and human dignity,
-
to not discriminate between people,
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to strive to treat and inform each individual
according to personal circumstances.
3. The pharmacist respects the individual` s right to freedom of choice of treatment.
Obligation:
-
to ensure that were the pharmacist is involved in
developing care and treatment plans, this is done in consultation with the individual.
4. The pharmacist respects and safeguards the individual` s right to confidentiality.
Obligation:
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to not disseminate information, which identifies the
individual, without informed consent or due cause.
5. The pharmacist cooperates with colleagues and other professionals and respects their values and abilities.
Obligation:
-
to cooperate with colleagues, and other professionals
and agencies in efforts to promote good health and treat and prevent ill
health.
6. The pharmacist acts with honesty and integrity in professional relationships.
Obligations:
-
to act with conviction of conscience,
-
to avoid practices, behavior or work conditions that
could impair professional judgment.
7. The pharmacist serves the needs of the individual, the community and society.
Obligation:
-
to recognize the responsibilities associated with
serving the needs of the individual on the one hand and society at large on the
other.
8. The pharmacist maintains and develops professional knowledge and skills.
Obligation:
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to ensure competency in each pharmaceutical service
provided, by continually updating knowledge and skills.
9. The pharmacist ensures continuity of care in the event of labour disputes, pharmacy closure or conflict with personal moral beliefs.
Obligation:
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to refer the patient to another pharmacist,
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to ensure that when a pharmacy closes, the patients
are informed of the pharmacy to which their records, if held, have been
transferred.