The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7472 p376
6 October 2007

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Ethical dilemmas set to grow with complex patient care

Pharmacists will likely face greater ethical dilemmas affecting relationships with patients and professional colleagues as they become involved with more complex patient care, according to Ann Lewis, former Secretary and Registrar of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Speaking at a recent Pharmacy Practice Research Trust dinner, Miss Lewis said: “Pharmacists have to move away from a culture of paternalism to one which embraces the wider focus of multi-professional working and increasing patient and public expectations.”

However, she added that changing the ethos of professionalism is a challenge for all health professionals.

Harry Cayton, chief executive, Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence, spoke with similar sentiments: “Maintaining the confidence of both the patient and members of the clinical team can be challenging.”