Question

what is health ethics and the role it plays in pharmaceutical care process

Answer 1

CODE OF ETHICS

1.RESPECT FOR PATIENT DIGNITY AND AUTONOMY

• Providing drug information for patients not only includes drug usage, dosage, and indication, but also it should contain information on adverse drug reactions, (ADR) warnings, interactions, contraindications, and drug storage.
• The patients’ privacy and exceptions, desire, and their rights for refusing treatment have been considered.

2 BENEFICENCE

• it includes pharmacists’ responsibilities for selling every drug including supplements, herbal products, over the counter medications, etc
• it emphasizes on the pharmacist's duty and accountability.

3 NON-MALEFICIENCE

• Pharmacist should not harm the patient
• It includes prevention of quackery, providing sufficient and efficient drug information to patients regardless of financial benefits

4 JUSTICE

• It mandates fair resource allocation in pharmacies and guides the pharmacists at the condition of drug shortage.

5 EMPATHY AND EXCELLENCE

• better therapeutic consequences need empathy, kindness, and compassion in service to building up a proper relationship with patients
• Public confidence and the pharmacy reputation were regarded as two considerable goals, which need to be supported

6 HONESTY

• APhA in its pharmacist's code of ethics states that a pharmacist should not allow his name to be used in connection with advertisements for the promotion of unworthy products.

7 COOPERATION

• pharmacists are encouraged to respect his/her colleagues and other health-care providers.

The ethical responsibilities of a pharmacist that relate to the consumer include:

• To recognize the consumer’s health and wellbeing as their first priority, and utilize the knowledge and provide compassionate care in an appropriate and professional manner.
• To respect the consumer’s autonomy and rights and assist them in making informed decisions about their health. This should include respecting the dignity, privacy, confidentiality, individuality and choice of the consumer.

The ethical responsibilities of a pharmacist that relate to the community include:

• To maintain the reputation and trust that the public has placed on the profession and refrain from abusing this trust and respect.
• To acknowledge their place in the wider community, including their professional role and responsibilities to control and supply pharmaceutical goods for optimal health outcomes.

The ethical responsibilities of a pharmacist that relate to the profession include:

• To commit to the development and enhancement of the profession by becoming involved in activities such as training staff, teaching, being a preceptor or mentor for students, interns or colleagues, participating in initiatives to develop the profession and demonstrate positive leadership.
• To keep up-to-date with knowledge of pharmacy practice with lifelong learning and self-development to maintain professional competence and personal health to continue practicing.
• To practice only when their professional independence, judgment and integrity

The ethical responsibilities of a pharmacist that relate to business practices include:

• To conduct the business practices of pharmacy in an ethical and professional manner with the consumer’s best interest in mind and due respect to colleagues and the reputation of the profession.

The ethical responsibilities of a pharmacist that relate to other health professionals include:

• To work in cooperation and collaboration with other healthcare professionals to achieve the optimal health outcomes for consumers.