Code of Ethics
Code of Ethics
Tamara McGrath
HCS 435
Robert Vella
September 28, 2010
There are many health care specialties in the world, but no matter which specialty is being practiced, they all have a code of ethics. Code of ethics is a set of written guidelines that are issued by an organization or company. These guidelines are made and set not only for organization and/or company employees, but also for the managers and/or bosses as well. These guidelines help to make a company or organization run very smooth and with little errors. I have chosen to write my paper on the Pharmacist Code of Ethics. Pharmacists have a very important role in the health care field. Their job is to take the prescriptions from patients and doctors, who can call in prescriptions, and gather the medication in the right amount and correct dosage. Then the pharmacist must dispense the proper medication to the correct patient. The Pharmacist Code of Ethics spells out moral, ethical and social obligations. There are eight principles to the Pharmacist Code of Ethics which deal with autonomy and dignity, beneficence, competence, the covenantal relationship with patients, honesty and integrity, interaction with colleagues, justice and obligations. The first principle is that “a pharmacist respects the covenantal relationship between the patient and pharmacist” (American Pharmacists Association). What this means is that the pharmacist has moral obligations to the society to gain their trust. The patients that fill their prescriptions at any pharmacy are putting their trust in the pharmacist that they will give them the correct medication and the correct amount and dosage of the medication. The second principle is that “a pharmacist promotes the good of every patient in a caring, compassionate, and confidential manner” (American Pharmacists Association). This means that the pharmacist must take of the patients in a private and confidential manner. Also, the pharmacist thinks of the patients
Tamara McGrath
HCS 435
Robert Vella
September 28, 2010
There are many health care specialties in the world, but no matter which specialty is being practiced, they all have a code of ethics. Code of ethics is a set of written guidelines that are issued by an organization or company. These guidelines are made and set not only for organization and/or company employees, but also for the managers and/or bosses as well. These guidelines help to make a company or organization run very smooth and with little errors. I have chosen to write my paper on the Pharmacist Code of Ethics. Pharmacists have a very important role in the health care field. Their job is to take the prescriptions from patients and doctors, who can call in prescriptions, and gather the medication in the right amount and correct dosage. Then the pharmacist must dispense the proper medication to the correct patient. The Pharmacist Code of Ethics spells out moral, ethical and social obligations. There are eight principles to the Pharmacist Code of Ethics which deal with autonomy and dignity, beneficence, competence, the covenantal relationship with patients, honesty and integrity, interaction with colleagues, justice and obligations. The first principle is that “a pharmacist respects the covenantal relationship between the patient and pharmacist” (American Pharmacists Association). What this means is that the pharmacist has moral obligations to the society to gain their trust. The patients that fill their prescriptions at any pharmacy are putting their trust in the pharmacist that they will give them the correct medication and the correct amount and dosage of the medication. The second principle is that “a pharmacist promotes the good of every patient in a caring, compassionate, and confidential manner” (American Pharmacists Association). This means that the pharmacist must take of the patients in a private and confidential manner. Also, the pharmacist thinks of the patients
References: American Pharmacists Association. (2010). Code of Ethics for Pharmacists. Retrieved from: http://www.pharmacist.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Code_of_Ethics_for_Pharmacists&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=5420 International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists. (2010). IACP Code of Ethics. Retrieved from: http://www.iacprx.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Code_of_Ethics US PharmD. (2010). Pharmacist Code of Ethics & Oath – Pharmacy Pledge & Sworn Statement. Retrieved from: http://www.uspharmd.com/pharmacist/pharmacist_oath_and_code_of_ethics/