Code of Pharmaceutical Ethics
Contents
• Introduction to code of pharmaceutical ethics
• Code of ethics framed by the Pharmacy Council of India
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Intended Learning Outcomes
• At the end of this lecture, student will be able to
– Describe the code of moral principles a pharmacist should have
– Illustrate the code of ethics framed by the Pharmacy Council of India
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Code of ethics by PCI
Pharmacist in relation to his Trade
Price Structure:
– Prices charged from customers should be fair and in keeping with the quality and
quantity of commodity supplied and the labor and skill required in making it ready for
use, so as to ensure an adequate remuneration to the pharmacist taking into
consideration his knowledge, skill, the time consumed and the great responsibility
involved, but at the same time without unduly taxing the purchaser
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Fair Trade Practices
• No attempt should be made to capture the business of a contemporary by cut-throat
competition, that is, by offering any sort of prizes or gifts to patronizers or by knowingly
charging lower prices for medical commodities than those charged by fellow pharmacist
if they are reasonable.
• In case any order or prescription genuinely intended to be served by some dispensary is
brought by mistake to another, the latter should refuse to accept it and should direct the
customer to the right place.
• Labels, trademarks and other signs and symbols of contemporaries should not be
imitated or copied.
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Purchase of Drugs:
Drugs should always be purchased from genuine and reputable sources and a pharmacist
should always be on his guard not to aid or abet, directly or indirectly the manufacture,
possession, distribution and sale of spurious or sub- standard drugs
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Hawking of Drugs:
Hawking of drugs and medicinal should not be encouraged nor should any attempt be
made to solicit orders for such substances from door to door. `Self-service` method of
operating pharmacies and drug – stores should not be used as this practice may lead to
the distribution of therapeutic substances without an expert supervision and thus would
encourage self-medication, which is highly undesirable.
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Advertising and Displays: Code of ethics by PCI
No display material either on the premises, in the press or elsewhere should be used by a
pharmacist in connection with the sale to the public of medicines or medical appliances
which is undignified in style or which contains:-
(a) Any wording design or illustration reflecting unfavourably on pharmacists collectivity
or upon any group or individual.
(b) A disparaging reference, direct of by implication to other suppliers
(c)Misleading or exaggerated statements or claims
(d) The word “Cure” in reference to an ailment or symptoms of ill-health
(e)A guarantee of therapeutic efficacy
(f) An appeal to fear www.DuloMix.com
Code of ethics by PCI
(g) An offer to refund money paid.
(h) A prize, competition or similar scheme.
(i) Any reference to a medical practitioner or a hospital or the use of the terms “Doctor” or
“Dr.” or “Nurse” in connection with the name of the preparation not already established.
(j) A reference to sexual weakness, premature ageing or loss of virility.
(k) A reference to complaints of sexual nature in terms, which lack the reticence proper to
the subject.
Contraceptive preparations and appliances or their illustration except a notice approved
by regulations or bearing the words Family planning requisite should not be exhibited.
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Contraceptive preparations and appliances or their illustrations should not be exhibited
except a notice approved by regulations or bearing the words “Family Planning Requisites”.
Under no circumstances should lustful obscene and indecent publications of any kind or
description be sold or distributed.
As this practice is highly detrimental to the moral welfare of the Nation
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Pharmacists in Relation to Medical Profession
Limitation of Professional Activity:
– Whereas it is expected that medical practitioners in general would not take to the
practice of pharmacy by owing drug stores, as this ultimately leads to coded prescriptions
and monopolistic practices detrimental to the pharmaceutical profession and also to the
interest of patients
-It should be made a general rule that pharmacists under no circumstances take to
medical practice, that is to diagnosing diseases and prescribing remedies therefore even if
requested by patrons to do so
– In cases of accidents and emergencies a pharmacist may, however, render First Aid to
the victim
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Code of ethics by PCI
Clandestine Arrangements:
No pharmacist should enter into any secret arrangements or contract with a physician to
offer him any commission or any advantage of any description in return for his favor of
patronage by recommending his dispensary or drugstore .
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Liaison With Public:
Being a liaison between medical profession and people, a pharmacist should always keep
himself abreast with the modern developments in pharmacy and other allied sciences by
regularly reading books, journals, magazines and other periodicals , so that on the one
hand he may be in a position to advise the physician on pharmaceutical matters like those
of colors, flavors, vehicles and newer forms of administration of medicines, on the other, he
may be able to educate the people for maintaining healthy and sanitary conditions of living
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• Thus a pharmacist can contribute his share in the nation-building activities of the
country
• A pharmacist should at all times endeavour to promote knowledge and contribute
his quota in the advancement of learning
• A pharmacist should never disclose any information which he has acquired during
his professional activities to any third party or person unless requires by law to do so
• He should never betray the confidence which his patrons repose in him or which he
has won by virtue of his eminent character and conduct
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Summary
1. Ethics may be defined as “the code of moral principles” or as “the science of morals”
2. Code when practised for a long time by the society results in the development of
culture of conscience
3. The profession of pharmacy , apart from being a career for livelihood, it has inherent
in it the attitude of service and sacrifice in the interests of the suffering humanity
4. The profession of pharmacy , apart from being a career for livelihood, it has inherent
in it the attitude of service and sacrifice in the interests of the suffering humanity
5. Standards of professional conduct for pharmacy are necessary in the public interests
to ensure an efficient pharmaceutical service
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Thank You
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