Consultation seeks views on the wording of revised Code of Ethics
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has launched the final phase of its consultation on its review of the Code of Ethics for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians.
The Society consulted on proposals
for the structure of the new code earlier this year (PJ, 17 June, p727). Having received feedback, it is
now keen to receive comments from pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and
other stakeholders on the code’s detailed content and wording.
The new consultation appears as a four-page pull-out section (PDF 30K) in
this issue of The Journal. It is also available to download
from the Society’s
website, and the Society hopes to receive responses from
members of the public as well as pharmacy bodies and individual professionals.
Seven principles of ethical pharmacy practice
· Make the care of the patient your first concern
· Exercise your professional judgement in the interests of patients
and the public
· Show respect for other
· Encourage patients to participate in decisions about their
care
· Develop your professional knowledge and competence
· Be honest and trustworthy
· Take responsibility for your working practices |
The
introduction to the consultation document confirms that the revised code
of ethics will apply to both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians
and that it is founded on seven principles (see Panel right) that will
inform the conduct, performance and practice of registered pharmacy professionals.
The principles are supported by a series of statements to explain the
types of actions and behaviours that will be expected of pharmacy professionals
when applying them in practice.
Hemant Patel, president of the Society, welcomed the consultation. He
said “The review comes in response to a number of changes within
the pharmacy profession and the broader health care setting in recent
years and is part of the Society’s Pharmacy 2020
initiative — a flagship conversation that the Society is having
with the pharmacy profession, other professions, patients and the wider
public to develop a long-term strategy for pharmacy.”
Lynsey Balmer, the Society’s head of professional ethics, said: “Pharmacists
and pharmacy technicians work in a range of different settings and their
roles, responsibilities and ways of working are constantly evolving.
In this changing environment, pharmacy professionals need to be able
to exercise their professional judgement and be accountable for the decisions
they make. It is therefore important that the Code of Ethics supports
this. In addition to professional practice, the way in which the pharmacy
profession is regulated is also changing with new legislation governing
the Society’s regulatory procedures expected to be in place in
2007. The Society therefore wants to ensure that its ethical framework
reflects modern pharmacy practice and continues to ensure patient safety
and public confidence in the pharmacy profession.”
The closing date for the consultation is
26 January 2007. Further information is available from Lynsey Balmer
(tel 020 7572 2519;
e-mail lynsey.balmer@rpsgb.org). |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal