Drug Laws · Short notes

Pharmacist Ethics and Conduct: Short Notes & Cheat Sheet

Core ethical principles, the pharmacist's professional duties, confidentiality and consent, and common ethical dilemmas in practice.

Attempt Pharmacist Ethics and Conduct MCQs

Short notes

Read these before you attempt the topic's MCQs.

Principles behind a pharmacist's decisions

AutonomyInformed patient choiceBeneficenceAct in the patient's interestNon-maleficenceAvoid harmJusticeFair use of resourcesConfidentialityProtect informationVeracity and fidelityHonesty and keeping dutiesPharmacy ethics
Most dilemmas are a conflict between two principles, for example autonomy against non-maleficence.

Ethical principles

  • Autonomy: respect the patient's right to make informed decisions.
  • Beneficence: act in the patient's best interest. Non-maleficence: do no harm.
  • Justice: treat patients fairly and use resources equitably.
  • Veracity (truthfulness), fidelity (keeping promises) and confidentiality complete the core set.

Professional duties

  • Put the patient's welfare first, above commercial interest.
  • Dispense prescription-only medicines only against a valid prescription, and refuse requests for antibiotics or controlled drugs without one.
  • Keep patient information confidential, sharing it only with consent, when the law requires, or to prevent serious harm.
  • Do not accept gifts or incentives that could influence professional judgement.
  • Keep knowledge up to date through continuing professional development.
  • Work within your competence and refer when needed; never claim qualifications you do not hold.

Consent and dilemmas

  • Valid consent must be informed, voluntary and given by someone with capacity.
  • Generic substitution should follow the law and local policy, and be explained to the patient.
  • If you suspect a prescribing error, contact the prescriber before dispensing; do not guess.
  • Report adverse drug reactions and suspected spurious products to the authorities.
  • Misconduct can lead to disciplinary action by the pharmacy council.

Cheat sheet

High-yield facts in one place. Cover the right-hand column and test yourself.

Ethical principles

PrincipleMeaning
AutonomyRespect the patient's informed choices
BeneficenceDo good for the patient
Non-maleficenceDo no harm
JusticeFairness and equity
VeracityTruthfulness
FidelityKeep promises and duties
ConfidentialityProtect patient information

Situation → right action

SituationAction
Antibiotic requested without prescriptionRefuse politely; advise and refer
Suspected prescribing errorContact the prescriber first
Relative asks about a patient's medicinesShare only with consent
Suspected fake medicineQuarantine and report to DRAP
Serious ADRReport through pharmacovigilance

Memory aids

ABN-J
The four core principles: Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-maleficence, Justice.

Exam traps

  • Confidentiality is not absolute; it can be broken when the law requires or to prevent serious harm.
  • Commercial pressure never justifies selling prescription-only medicines without a prescription.
  • Consent is not valid if the patient lacks capacity or is pressured.
  • Beneficence means doing good; non-maleficence means avoiding harm.

Revised? Now test yourself.

Attempt the Pharmacist Ethics and Conduct MCQs while the notes are fresh. Anything you get wrong is saved to your incorrect list for the next revision round.

Attempt Pharmacist Ethics and Conduct MCQs

More Drug Laws notes