INTRODUCTION

TO LEGAL
PHARMACY &
ETHICS
Doinog, Jacob, Orale, Pacala, Roa, Sultan
WHAT IS
ETHICS?
• the philosophical study of the
concepts of moral right and wrong
and moral good and bad.
• any system or code of moral rules,
principles, or values.
• the moral principles that govern a
person’s behavior or the conduct of
an activity
 WHAT IS LAW?
• The system of rules that a
particular country or community
recognizes as regulating the
actions of its members and may
enforce by the imposition of
penalties
 ETHICS VS
• Governs professional interactions • Governs society as a whole, often dealing with

LAW interactions between total strangers

• Rules of conduct
• Rules developed by governments in order to
provide balance in society and protection to its
• Comes from people’s awareness of what citizens
is right and wrong
• Enforced by governments to their people
• Are moral codes that every person must
conform to • Codifications of ethics meant to regulate society

• Will punish anyone who happens to violate it

• Does not carry any punishment to
anyone who violates it • Made with ethics as a guiding principle

• Comes from within a person’s moral

value
PERSONAL ETHICS
• the ethics that a person
identifies with in respect to
people and situations that they
deal with in everyday life
PROFESSIONAL
ETHICS
• the ethics that a person
must adhere to in respect of
their interactions and
business dealings in their
professional life
PHARMACY AS A
PROFESSION
 CODE OF
•ETHICS
a set of principles and rules used
by individuals and organizations
to govern their decision-making
process, as well as to distinguish
right from wrong
 CODE OF ETHICS
FOR PHARMACIST
(PHILIPPINE PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION)
1. A pharmacist places the well being of the patient at the
center of professional practice.

2. A pharmacist promotes the welfare of each individual in a

caring and compassionate manner.

3. A pharmacist serves the needs of the individual,

community and society and provides health for all.

4. A pharmacist respects the rights of patients and upholds

confidentiality of patients’ records.
5. A pharmacist acts with honesty, integrity and professionalism in
relationship with the patients and other health professionals.
6. A pharmacist respects abilities, values and contributions of colleagues
and other health professionals and work them closely to ensure better
patient care.
7. A pharmacist is committed to continuously enhance professional
competence.
8. A pharmacist, in coordination with the government and other health
professionals, helps in the formulation and implementation of health care
policies, standards and programs designed for the benefit of society.
BIOETHICS
• used to describe the application
of ethics to biological sciences,
medicine, and related fields
• a systematic study of moral
conduct in life sciences and
medicines
 IMPORTANCE OF
•BIOETHICS
to provide awareness to the health
team or workers of the “dos and
don’ts” of medical practice
• to enrich one’s competence by
understanding that the patient is a
person and a holistic individual
 7 KEY PRINCIPLES
GUIDING
ETHICAL CONDUCT
1
Nonmaleficence
• above all else do no harm”
• requires a health care provider to not act in any way that intentionally inflicts
needless harm or injury to a patient, either through acts of commission or
omission

2
Beneficence
• “behave in the best interest”
• Duty to promote good
3
Autonomy
• “a patient’s rights to self-determination”
• “patient’s moral right to choose one’s own life plan and action”

4
Veracity
• “honesty and truth telling”
• the right to truthful communication regarding their medical condition, the course of their
disease, the treatments recommended, and alternative treatments available
5
Justice
• “eliminate discrimination” in biological studies and healthcare
• everyone having an equal opportunity

6
Confidentiality
• “refrain from divulging information - reasonable
• precautions to protect information
7
Fidelity
• “loyalty”
• Ethically, the responsibilities of pharmacists should be directed toward the
welfare of patients
STEPS IN ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING
1. Recognize the moral dimensions.

2. Identify all stakeholders and interested parties.

3. Think through the shared values or principles involved.

4. Weigh the benefits and burdens.

5. Look for analogous cases.

• analogous – (syn.) comparable

6. Discuss the case with relevant parties and gather opinions.

7. Consider the legal and organizational rules involved.

8. Reflect on how comfortable you are with the decision

THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING!
Doinog, Jacob, Orale, Pacala, Roa, Sultan