The Official Code Of Ethics For Pharmacists In Nigeria By PCN

Code of ethics is a set of laws that govern a profession. They are made by members of the profession to protect the interests of its members from external forces and influence and prevent internal crises. Implementation and enforcement is another aspect of the code specified to prevent breakdown of law and order.

What Is A Code Of Ethics?

A code of ethics is a guide of principles designed to help professionals conduct business honestly and with integrity. A code of ethics document may outline the mission and values of the business or organization, how professionals are supposed to approach problems, the ethical principles based on the organization's core values, and the standards to which the professional is held.

When both members understand and cherish these laws, they will easily obey them. And the law should be strong to support the enforcement.

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The code of professional conduct is the means by which the Pharmacy Profession may regulate itself and model the way they interact with clients, other health Professionals and the Community.

The code of Ethics which has been designed by the Pharmacists council of Nigeria (PCN) is a means of assisting Pharmacists to discharge their moral and Professional obligations resting upon them to observe standards of conducts appropriate to their callings.

This code of Ethics applies to all registered Pharmacists holding Licences, Certificates or Permit under the PCN Decree 91, of 1992 and Poison & Pharmacy Act Cap 535 1990.

Pharmacy is a regulated Profession beginning from training to registration in the different areas of Practice.

Code of professional ethics in pharmacy

Code Of Ethics For Pharmacists

Preamble

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria wishes to emphasize that this “code of Ethics” is a means of assisting Pharmacists to discharge the moral and professional obligations resting upon them to observe standards of conducts appropriate to their callings.

The code applies to all registered pharmacists holding licenceses, certificates or permits under the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria Decree No. 91 of 1992, the Poison and Pharmacy Act, Cap. 535 of 1990 or any other relevant legislation regulating the handling of drugs and poisons.

Every Registered Pharmacist must be willing to render efficient and cost-effective professional service at all times. He must avoid any act of omission or commission, which is capable of prejudicing or impairing confidence in the Pharmacy Profession.

SECTION I

Duty to Patient and Clients

a. A pharmacist should hold the health and safety of patients to be of first consideration and should provide to each patient relevant information on drugs and medicinal products;

b. Any drug or medicine likely to be abused and which may be detrimental to health should not be supplied to a patient when there is no reason to believe that the drug or medicine is required for such purposes;

c. A pharmacist should never condone or assist therein, the manufacture, importation, promotion, distribution, storage, sale or dispensing of drug, poisons and medicinal products which are not food quality or which do not meet standards required by law;

e. A pharmacist should respect the confidential and personal nature of his professional records. Except where the best interest of the patient requires, or the law demands, he should not disclose such information to anyone without proper patient authorization.

SECTION II

The Pharmacy

1. In every pharmacy, there should be a Superintendent Pharmacists in personal control of the pharmacy. He shall be primarily responsible for the observance of proper standards of conduct in connection with its operations.

2. Every premise should reflect the professional character of a pharmacy. It should be clear to the public that the practice of pharmacy in the main business of the establishment. Signs, notices,inscriptions, wordings on business stationery and related indications should be restrained in size, design and terms. Descriptions and claim such as “Prescription Specialists”, leading drug distributors” “Top Chemists” which draw an invidious distinction between pharmacists should not be used;

3. The conditions in the pharmacy should be such as to preclude the risk of error, or accidental contamination in the preparation, dispensing and supply of medicine.

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SECTION III

Employment

i. A pharmacist should seek at all times only fair and reasonable remuneration for his services; He should never engage in transactions with practitioners of other professions or any other person to defraud the patients;

ii. A pharmacist should not agree to practice under terms or conditions which tend to interfere with or impair the proper exercise of his professional judgement, and skill which tend to cause deterioration of the quality of his service, or which require him to succumb to unethical practice. He should not allow himself to be dictated to by any persons in matters affecting his professional judgement;

iii. A pharmacist should provide an efficient pharmaceutical service in the organization in which he carries out his professional practice. If the maintenance of this standard fails due to obstruction from employers, he should report to the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria;

iv. A pharmacist should at all times be ready to help other pharmacists in providing efficient pharmaceutical services. He should not condemn or run down the services offered by other pharmacists in an attempt to have advantage over his professional colleagues.Superintendent Pharmacists in wholesale establishments must ensure that all orders for the supply of drugs and medicinal products and poisons are approved and duly signed by them before such supplies are made.

v. Superintendent Pharmacists of establishments which import drugs, poisons and medicinal products must ensure that all import orders are in accordance with existing regulations before approving and duly signing them.

SECTION IV

General

(a) A pharmacist should not display any material either on the premises, in the press, or elsewhere, in connection with sale to the public of medicines or medical appliances which is undignified in style or which contain;

# Any wording, design or illustration reflecting unfavorably on pharmacists collectively or upon any group of pharmacists;

# A disparaging reference direct or by implication to other suppliers, product, remedies or treatments;

# Misleading or exaggerated statements or claims, or appeal to fear;

# The word “Cure” in reference to an ailment or symptoms of ill–health or guarantee of efficacy of any product.

# A price competition or similar scheme designated to attract customers to a particular pharmacy.

(b) A pharmacist should not have interest in or be associated with the conduct of Patient Medicinal Stores.

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(c) A pharmacist should not sell to or purchase drug poisons and medicinal products from unauthorized or illegal sources;

(d) A pharmacist should always strive to perfect and enlarge his professional knowledge. He should utilize and make available this knowledge as may be required in accordance with his best professional judgement.

(e) A pharmacist has the duty to observe the law, to uphold the dignity and honor of the profession and to accept its ethical principles. He should not engage in any activity that will bring discredit to the profession, and should expose without fear or favor, illegal or unethical conduct that affects the profession.