Feedback sought on revised Code of Ethics

09 June 2010

The Pharmacy Council is revising the Code of Ethics for the pharmacy profession and has released a draft of the updated document for sector wide consultation.

The code provides a guide for pharmacists to monitor their own performance and for the public to assess minimum standards expected of the profession. However it is not intended to be exhaustive.

There may be situations that are not expressly provided for in the code, but pharmacists will still be required to meet additional implied requirements of ethical practice.

Although the revision process began last year, the timing of the release coincides with major challenges facing the pharmacy profession.

Interested parties have until 23 July to review the proposed changes to the code  and submit their feedback. Feedback can also be submitted to Pharmacy Council of New Zealand, PO Box 25137, Wellington 6146 or emailed to b.moore@pharmacycouncil.org.nz

Principles
The council says the revised draft code is based on a set of principles that will inform the conduct, practice and performance of pharmacists, with principles that are intended to be applicable to all sectors of the profession irrespective of whether an individual is involved in direct patient care.

Each principle is supported by obligations that explain the types of actions and behaviours expected of pharmacists when applying them in practice (see the seven principles below).

The code will not include detailed technical guidance or examples. However, the council has proposed, where appropriate, guidance documents will be developed to support and expand on the principles of the new code, eg, for advertising.

The Pharmacy Council is required to set standards of clinical competence, cultural competence and ethical conduct for the profession under section 118 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.

The current code was set by the Pharmaceutical Society in 2001 and was “grandfathered” to the council and ratified with minor changes in 2004. In 2006, a review was done of the list of acts and regulations and codes of practice associated with the code, but nothing more was addressed at that time.

Annual review
The council says the revised draft code provides for a brief annual review to ensure obsolete provisions are removed and new initiatives that arise are adequately addressed.

Chief executive and registrar Bronwyn Clark says rather than a prescriptive set of rules and procedures, a code should provide a broad framework of ethical principles within which a profession should operate.

“It should demonstrate accountability and openness and should support areas of unchanging professionalism – competence, integrity, honesty and altruism.”

Ms Clark says given the overlap between conduct, ethics and performance, a code of ethics is not solely about ethical principles. However, the current code includes many aspects of professional performance that are now covered either in the new Health and Disability Services - Pharmacy Services Standard or in the Pharmacist Scope of Practice Competence Standards.

“A review of the code is therefore appropriate, particularly in light of the many changes patients and pharmacists are experiencing within the health system.”

Result of extensive research
The council referred to similar documents from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, the American Pharmaceutical Association, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) statement of professional standards for the revision. The New Zealand Medical Association Code of Ethics and the Nurses Code of Conduct were also reviewed to assess similarities and differences in approach within the New Zealand healthcare environment.

The seven principles
The seven principles to be enshrined in the revised Code of Ethics for pharmacists form the basis for a consistent high quality professional service to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of patients and society and maintain public confidence in the pharmacy profession.

The Pharmacy Council says the principles are equally important and will hold a pharmacist professionally accountable for his or her practice, which means that they are responsible for what they do or don’t do, no matter what advice or direction they get from their manager or another healthcare professional.

“You may be faced with conflicting professional or legal responsibilities therefore you must use your professional judgement when deciding on a course of action and you should use your professional and ethical principles as a basis when making those decisions” the document says.

“In these circumstances, you must consider all possible courses of action and the risks and benefits associated with each one to decide what is in the best interests of patients and the public.”
The principles require that a pharmacist must:

1. Make the health and well-being of patients their first priority.
2. Promote patient self-determination, respecting patient’s rights, autonomy and freedom of choice.
3. Use their professional judgement in the interests of patients and the public and promote family, whanau and community health.
4. Exercise their duties with professionalism and respect.
5. Actively seek and apply contemporary pharmacy knowledge and skills to ensure a high standard of professional competence.
6. Act in a manner that promotes public trust in the knowledge and ability of pharmacists and enhances the reputation of the profession.
7. Practise in a manner that does not compromise their professional independence, judgement or integrity, or that of other pharmacists.  

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