| The Code of Ethics sets out the principles that one | | | | and endeavor. Ensure that, whenever possible, |
| must follow as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician. | | | | reasonable steps are taken to meet the particular |
| The Code is the Society's core guidance on the | | | | communication needs of the patients. |
| conduct, practice and professional performance | | | | 5. Develop your professional knowledge and |
| expected. The principles of the Code are intended to | | | | competence |
| guide and support the work you do and the decisions | | | | - Maintain and improve the quality of your work by |
| you make. They also inform the general public of the | | | | keeping your knowledge and skill-sets up to date, |
| standards of behavior that can be expected from | | | | professional development relevant to your role and |
| the pharmacy professions. The seven principles and | | | | responsibilities. |
| their supporting explanations encapsulate what it | | | | 6. Be honest and trustworthy |
| means to be a registered pharmacist or pharmacy | | | | - Avoid conflicts of interest and declare any personal |
| technician. | | | | or professional interests to those who may be |
| Here are the seven principles for a pharmacy | | | | affected. Do not ask for or accept gifts, |
| technician: | | | | inducements, hospitality or referrals that may affect, |
| 1. Making sure taking care of patients are your 1st | | | | or be perceived to affect your professional |
| concern and top priority | | | | judgments. |
| - Take steps to safeguard the well-being of patients, | | | | - Be accurate and impartial when providing or |
| particularly children and other vulnerable individuals like | | | | publishing information to ensure that you do not |
| senior citizens | | | | mislead others or make claims that cannot be |
| - Seek to ensure safe and timely access to medicines | | | | justified. |
| and take steps to be satisfied of the clinical | | | | 7. Take responsibility for your working practices and |
| appropriateness of medicines supplied to individual | | | | attitudes |
| patients. | | | | - Take responsibility for all work done by you or |
| - Undertake regular reviews, audits and risk | | | | under your supervision. Ensure that individuals to |
| assessments to improve the quality of services and | | | | whom you delegate tasks are competently fit to |
| minimize risks to patient and public safety. | | | | practice and are undertaking the required training for |
| 2. Exercise your professional judgment in the interest | | | | their duties. |
| of patients and public interests, incentives, targets or | | | | Every registered pharmacy professional is responsible |
| similar measures. | | | | for their own actions. It is the responsibility as a |
| - Be prepared to challenge the judgments of | | | | pharmacist or pharmacy technician to apply the |
| colleagues and other health or social care | | | | principles of the Code of Ethics to your daily work. |
| professionals if you have reason to believe that their | | | | You are professionally accountable for your practice |
| decisions could compromise the safety or care of | | | | and action, as you are answerable for your own act |
| others. | | | | and omission. You are expected to use your |
| 3. Show respect for others | | | | professional judgments in the light of the principles of |
| - Maintain proper professional boundaries in the | | | | the Code and must be prepared to justify your |
| relationships you have with patients and other | | | | actions. |
| individuals during the course of your professional | | | | Users of pharmaceutical services include patients, |
| practice, taking special care when dealing with | | | | customers and clients. The Code uses the term |
| vulnerable individuals. | | | | patient(s) to encompass any individuals or groups |
| - Recognize diversity and respect the cultural | | | | who access or are affected by your professional |
| differences, values and beliefs of others. | | | | pharmacy services or advice. |
| 4. Encourage patients to participate in decisions about | | | | Each principle is well supported by the types of |
| their own welfare | | | | action and behavior expected of you when applying |
| - Patients have the right to be involved in making | | | | the principles in practice. In meeting the principles of |
| decisions about their treatment and care. They should | | | | the Code you are expected to comply with other |
| be encouraged to work in partnership with the | | | | accepted standards and take account of guidance |
| professional team to manage their healthcare needs. | | | | issued by the Society or other relevant organizations. |
| - always Listen to the patients and be their support | | | | |