A consultation document on a new code of ethics was launched at the British Pharmaceutical Conference this week. The 16-page document is circulated with this week's issue of The Journal.
The document, with a working title "Pharmacists' ethics and professional performance", represents the culmination of a review of the current Code of Ethics by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's ethics working party code
The Society says that the document aims to provide a clear and concise statement of professional responsibilities and has been produced in recognition of developments in pharmacy practice over recent years and the need to set a framework for health care provision in the new millennium.
The intention is to devise a new code that is meaningful to pharmacists, takes account of the expectations of others (the public, other health care professionals and, where appropriate, the National Health Service), promotes professional development and focuses on the quality of pharmacy practice.
The consultation document is in three parts. Part 1 seeks to encourage the confident use of professional judgment and to identify the fundamental accountabilities that go to the heart of professional practice. Part 2 applies these accountabilities to issues relevant to all pharmacists, while Part 3 sets out the essential framework within which pharmacists can develop specific professional services. The working party hopes that this simplified structure will make the code more user friendly in practice.
The working party wants to devise the new code in partnership with the profession and welcomes comments on the structure, contents and omissions. A search is also on for a title for the document and to this end a prize draw is being held. Suggestions for the title should be sent on a postcard to the address below. Entries should include name and registration number. A magnum of champagne is offered for the first card drawn suggesting the title eventually adopted.
A form for comments is included at the back of the consultation document. Other written comments may be sent to the Secretary to the Ethics Working Party, Room 209, Royal Pharmaceutical Society, 1 Lambeth High Street, London SE1 7JN (fax 020 7582 4279; e-mail hdarracott@rpsgb.org.uk).
The deadline for comments and suggestions for the title is December 31. The working party is encouraging all pharmacists to take the opportunity to have a say in the development of the new code.