A Code of Ethics for Community Pharmacy serves as a fundamental guide for pharmacists in community settings, outlining the principles and standards that govern professional behavior and decision-making.
Key components include:
Patient Welfare: The primary responsibility is to the patient's health and welfare. The pharmacist should act in the patient's best interest at all times.
Professional Judgment: Pharmacists must make decisions based on clinical knowledge and experience, free from external pressures like financial or business interests.
Confidentiality: Patient information must be protected and kept confidential, shared only with appropriate health professionals when necessary.
Integrity: Pharmacists must be honest and transparent in their dealings, avoiding situations that could be perceived as conflicts of interest.
Professional Competence: It's a pharmacist’s duty to maintain and improve their professional knowledge and skills.
Respect for Colleagues: Pharmacists should respect and cooperate with other healthcare professionals to ensure the best patient care.
Legal and Ethical Standards: Adherence to laws governing the practice of pharmacy and medication dispensing is mandatory.