Introduction of Ethics

and Principles of Health

(biomedical) Ethics
E R N E S T O C . T O R R E C A M P O I I , R P H
PROFESSIONAL
ETHICS
The branch of moral science that treats of the
obligations which a member of a profession owes
to the public, to his profession, and to his clients.
BIOETHICS

· It is the term to describe the application of

ethics to biological sciences, medicine and
related fields; a systematic study of moral
conduct in life sciences and medicines.
 1. To provide awareness to the
health team or workers of the
“do’s” and “don’t” of medical
practice

Importance of
Bioethics 2. To enrich one’s competence
by understanding that the
patient is a person and a holistic
individual.
Universal Principles
of Biomedical Ethics
AUTONOMY

A form of personal liberty, where the

individual is free to choose and
implements one’s own decisions, free from
deceit, duress, constraint, or coercion.
VERACITY

It binds both the practitioner and the

patient in an association of truth.
BENEFICENCE

Acts of mercy and charity or any action

that benefits another or apply measures
for the benefit of the sick.
NONMALEFICENCE

Means never to use treatment to injure or

wrong the sick.
CONFIDENTIALITY

An important aspect of trust that patients

place in health care professionals.
JUSTICE

· Is the concept of fairness, just deserts

and entitlements.
ROLE OF
FEDILITY
Mean that the practitioner practice
faithfully within the constraints of the
role.
Moral Responsibility of
Health Care Professionals
toward their Patients
Pharmacists must be
COMPETENT…
Must possess a knowledge base and skills to carry
out their functions as reliable therapeutic
experts.
Pharmacists must be
TRUSTWORTHY…
Patients can confidentially seek the advice and
assistance of the pharmacist and their wishes will
be carried out.
Pharmacists must be
CARING…
Pharmacists must be able to effectively
communicate that they care about their patients,
to provide adequate time interacting with their
patients and to attend to their concerns.
MORAL RIGHTS vs.
LEGAL RIGHTS to
Health Care
MORAL RIGHTS vs. LEGAL RIGHTS
· LEGAL RIGHTS · MORAL RIGHTS
· rights that are guaranteed · may be reinforced by laws, but their
fundamentally by the constitution and basis lies not in the law, but in ethical
are provided by laws and regulations principles.
promulgated at the national, provincial
or local level
 Expect that clinicians
Expect that health care
will employ their
providers will respond
knowledge and
to their wishes about
experience in caring for
their treatment.
them.

PATIENT’S Generally, choose their

own physician,
Allowed to choose from
multiple options for
RIGHT pharmacy and hospital. treatment

Must give their approval Have a right to

through the process of treatment that is both
informed consent prior safe and effective within
to the initiation of care. given parameters.
PROFESSIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
1. Possession of a specialized body of knowledge which enables the practitioner to perform a highly
useful social function.

2. Possession of a set of specific attitudes that influence professional behavior.

3. Existence of social sanction

4. Desire to be professional

5. Presence of an oath of allegiance and a code of ethics.

CODE OF ETHICS
· A formal statement of a group’s ideals and values; a set of
ethical principles that is
1) shared by members of the group,
2) reflects their moral judgments over time,
3) serves as a standard for their professional actions.
CODE OF
ETHICS MOST HEALTH PROFESSIONALS HAVE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ARE REQUIRED
SPECIFIC CODES OF ETHICS THAT TO APPLY THEIR PROFESSIONAL CODE OF
PROVIDE WRITTEN GUIDELINES ETHICS WITHIN A FRAMEWORK OF
REGARDING ETHICAL BEHAVIOR. THE SOCIETAL MORAL VALUES.
CODE OF ETHICS IS USUALLY WRITTEN
BY THEIR RESPECTIVE PROFESSIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS.