Summer 2021

The Code of Ethics: Accountability

Banner Spring/Summer 2021 - Code ethics accountability
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Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians maintain the public trust by ensuring that they act in the best interest of their patients and society by practicing within scope, refraining from participating in unethical business practices and avoiding conflicts of interest.

Key ethical standards, among others, require pharmacy professionals to:

Code Of Ethics Accountability graphic

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  • Assume responsibility for all decisions and actions they undertake in professional practice, including failure to make a decision and take appropriate action when necessary.
  • Be diligent in identifying and responding to red flag situations that present in practice.
  • Report professional incompetence or unethical behaviour by colleagues or other healthcare professionals to the appropriate regulatory authority.
  • Ensure that when power imbalances exist in professional working relationships they do not exploit these relationships for personal, physical, emotional, financial, social or sexual gain.
  • Recognize that their patient’s best interests must always override their own interests or the interests of the business which they own, have a financial interest in or are employed by.
  • Not compromise their professional integrity in order to further institutional or business interests and promote financial gain to the detriment of the patient and public interest.
  • Avoid dual relationships and other situations which may present a conflict of interest and potentially affect their ability to be impartial and unbiased in their decision-making.

The Code of Ethics articulates the ethical principles and standards that must guide the practice of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. As a way to draw attention to the Code of Ethics since its introduction almost five years ago, we have been featuring one ethical principle in the past few editions of Pharmacy Connection. This is the final installment.


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