 Practice of pharmacy–governed by series of laws,
regulations, and rules enforced by federal, state, local
government; institutions and
pharmacy management
 Technician–needs to understand
these laws for employment
 The relation between the patient and the pharmacist
is covenant or promise ,and this professional covenant
is similar to a legal contract , in which each party
makes certain promises.
 In this case , the pharmacist agrees to provide
pharmaceutical care to the patient and the patient
agrees to provide payment and any needed
information to the pharmacist.
 Implicit in this covenant is the idea that the
pharmacist has certain moral obligations to the
patient, specially to provide quality
pharmaceutical care, that provision responsible on
improving patient well-being.
 What happens if the patient doesn't want to take the drug
even though the pharmacist knows the patient may suffer
or even die as a result?
 What if the patient needs the drug but has no many to pay
the pharmacist for it?
 What if the drug for aids and the pharmacist know that the
patient wife unaware of her husband's condition?
 Each of these situations represent an ethical dilemma
requiring choices that pharmacist must make.
The moralistic basis of biomedical ethics
the APha code tend to take the position of
nonconsequentialists, which is based on the
following principles:
1. Autonomy: An action is right if it respects the
autonomy, or independent choice, of the others.
2. Veracity: telling the truth is right.
3. Fidelity: keeping promises, commitments,
contracts, and covenants is right.
4. Avoiding killing: Taking of human life is wrong.
5. Justice: fair distribution of goods and harms is right.
 The other major school of though, Consequentialist,
general considers an actions to be right when they
have beneficial outcomes for the people involved and
wrong if they have detrimental consequence.

Beneficence: the principle that guides the actions
and behaviors of practitioners toward beneficial
patient outcomes.
Non-malificence: the principle that urges 
practitioners to avoid actions and behaviors that might
bring harm to their patients.

These two principle is embodied from the
Hippocratic oath:"As to disease , make habit of two
things –to help, or at least to do no harm."
 Utilitarian theories of justice: justice is merely a
form of the most paramount and stringent form of
utility, so the system for evaluating risks, benefits, and
costs must balance the private and public benefits,
risks, and cost.
Ethical Framework
Nonconsequentialist:
 Autonomy
 Veracity
 Fidelity
 Justice (utility, libertarianism, egalitarianism)
 Privacy/Confidentiality
Consequentialist:
 Utilitarianism
 Beneficence
 Nonmalificence
 It is difficult to maintain a separation between
beneficence and non-maleficence, because no
action or procedure is completely safe or
completely effective , thus the line can be blur
between doing good and not doing harm, for in
doing good one can inadvertently doing harm
 Medical ethics is derived from a combination of the




above elements, but the subject can be discussed by
looking at four principles that embody all of the above
concepts:
Respect for patient autonomy
Non-maleficence
Beneficence
justice
Code of Ethics for Pharmacists
 PREAMBLE

Pharmacists are health professionals who assist
individuals in making the best use of medications. This
Code, prepared and supported by pharmacists, is intended
to state publicly the principles that form the fundamental
basis of the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists.
 These principles, based on moral obligations and virtues,
are established to guide pharmacists in relationships with
patients, health professionals, and society.
 Adopted by APhA in 1994
 Endorsed by ASHP in 1996
 Actually read by very few practicing pharmacists!
I. A pharmacist respects the covenantal relationship between the patient
and pharmacist.
Considering the patient-pharmacist relationship as a covenant means that a
pharmacist has moral obligations in response to the gift of trust
received from society. In return for this gift, a pharmacist promises
to help individuals achieve optimum benefit from their medications, to
be committed to their welfare, and to maintain their trust.
II. A pharmacist promotes the good of every patient in a caring,
compassionate, and confidential manner.
A pharmacist places concern for the well-being of the patient at the
center of professional practice. In doing so, a pharmacist considers
needs stated by the patient as well as those defined by health science.
A pharmacist is dedicated to protecting the dignity of the patient.
With a caring attitude and a compassionate spirit, a pharmacist focuses
on serving the patient in a private and confidential manner.
III. A pharmacist respects the autonomy and dignity of each patient.
A pharmacist promotes the right of self-determination and recognizes
individual self-worth by encouraging patients to participate in
decisions about their health. A pharmacist communicates with
patients in terms that are understandable. In all cases, a
pharmacist respects personal and cultural differences among
patients.
IV. A pharmacist acts with honesty and integrity in professional
relationships.
A pharmacist has a duty to tell the truth and to act with conviction of
conscience. A pharmacist avoids discriminatory practices, behavior
or work conditions that impair professional judgment, and actions
that compromise dedication to the best interests of patients.
V. A pharmacist maintains professional competence.
A pharmacist has a duty to maintain knowledge and abilities as new
medications, devices, and technologies become available and as
health information advances.
VI. A pharmacist respects the values and abilities of
colleagues and other health professionals.
When appropriate, a pharmacist asks for the consultation of
colleagues or other health professionals or refers the patient. A
pharmacist acknowledges that colleagues and other health
professionals may differ in the beliefs and values they apply to
the care of the patient.
VII. A pharmacist serves individual, community,
and societal needs.
The primary obligation of a pharmacist is to individual patients.
However, the obligations of a pharmacist may at times extend
beyond the individual to the community and society. In these
situations, the pharmacist recognizes the responsibilities that
accompany these obligations and acts accordingly.
VIII. A pharmacist seeks justice in the distribution
of health resources.
When health resources are allocated, a pharmacist is fair
and equitable, balancing the needs of patients and society.
Thank you