Pharmaceutical Sciences Notes

NTA Level 4 • Semester 2 • PST04208 Establishment, Functions and Powers of the Pharmacy Council of Tanzania Law and Ethics in Pharmacy Practice • Source Session/Topic 1 Full source-text version: all educational wording from the extracted learning source is retained; only presenter/tutor metadata and web-layout noise are removed, while formatting is improved for readability. Establishment, functions, organization structure and powers of the Pharmacy Council of Tanzania Students Learning Tasks By the end of this session students are expected to be able to: Define important terms used in pharmacy act of 2011 Explain establishment of pharmacy council List the functions of pharmacy council Explain the power of the Pharmacy council Definition of important terms according to pharmacy act of 2011 The following are the meaning according to the pharmacy act of 2011 Pharmacy Means any approved premises wherein or from which any service pertaining to practice of a pharmacist is provided, and shall include a community pharmacy, consultant pharmacy, institutional pharmacy, or wholesale pharmacy. Pharmacy practice Means any acts pertaining to the scope of practice of a pharmacist, pharmaceutical technician or pharmaceutical assistant as approved by the Council. Medicines or Pharmaceutical products Means any substance or mixture of substances manufactured for treatment of diseases or for use in the diagnosis or prevention of diseases, disorders or abnormal physical or mental state or the symptoms thereof in a man or animal. Register means a Register maintained under pharmacy act of 2011 Registrar Is a Senior Pharmacist in the public service appointed by The Minister of health to be the Registrar of the Council presentation of the Explanation of Establishment of Pharmacy Council The following are explanation of the establishment of the pharmacy council The Pharmacy Council was established under section 3 of the Pharmacy Act, No. 1 of 2011 after repealing of the Pharmacy Act, No.7 of 2002. Initially, there was a Pharmaceuticals and Poisons Act No. 9 of 1978 which established the Pharmacy Board. Due to a number of factors which include among others, trade liberalization, fast advances in science and technology, the government revised the Pharmaceuticals and Poisons Act No. 9 of 1978 and enacted the Pharmacy Act, No.7 of 2002 to provide for a better legislation that regulates matters related to practice of profession of pharmacy separately from matters related to dealings with medicines and related products. The Pharmacy Act No. 1 of 2011 was enacted to give the Pharmacy Council responsibilities of controlling pharmacy practice which was not included in the Pharmacy Act, 2002. Listing of the Functions of Pharmacy Council The following are the functions of the pharmacy council; The Council is an authority which is responsible for registering, enrolling and listing of Pharmacists, Pharmaceutical Technicians and Pharmaceutical Assistants respectively,' and in addition, perform the following functions- Advise the Minister on matters relating to pharmacy practice; Safeguard and promote the provision of pharmaceutical services in compliance with norms and values, in both public and private sectors, with goals of achieving definite therapeutic outcomes for the health and quality of life of a client; Uphold and safeguard the acceptable standards of pharmacy practice in both public and private sectors; Establish, develop, maintain and control acceptable standards- in pharmaceutical education, training and continuing professional development; for the registration of a person who provides one or more or all of the services which form part of the scope of practice of the category in which such a person is registered; in the practice of the various categories of persons required to be registered under the Pharmacy Act; and of professional conduct required for persons to be registered under the Pharmacy Act; Enquire into any query relating to a pharmacy practice raised by the public; Maintain and enhance the dignity of the pharmacy profession and the integrity of a person practicing the profession; Regulate standards and practices of the pharmacy profession; Promote interest in, and advancement of the pharmacy profession; In collaboration with the Tanzania Commission for Universities and the National accreditation Council for Technical Education, evaluate academic and practical qualifications for Pharmacists, Pharmaceutical Technicians and Pharmaceutical Assistants for the purpose of registration, enrolment or enlisting Foster cooperation between the Council and other institutions or organizations, dealing with the pharmacy profession; Ensure proper collection of fees payable under the pharmacy Act; Keep and maintain registers, Rolls and Lists for the registration, enrollment and enlisting of Pharmacists, Pharmaceutical Technicians, Pharmaceutical Assistants and Intern Pharmacists; Administer the accounts and assets of the Councilor any assets to be held in trust for the benefit of the Council; Prescribe the scope of practice of the persons registered, enrolled and enlisted under the Pharmacy Act; Regulate activities of Pharmacists, Pharmaceutical Technicians and Pharmaceutical Assistants; Ensure that training in pharmacy at any institution in Tanzania guarantees the necessary knowledge and skills needed for the efficient pharmacy practice; Pay any member of the Council, committee, staff or any person entrusted with any task under the Act, such allowance as it may determine; Determine the fees payable to the Council for services performed by the Council under the Act; Promote rational use of medicines Carry out such other functions as may be conferred upon the Council by any other written law. Explanation of the Powers of Pharmacy Council of Tanzania The Pharmacy council has the following powers to: Appoint any officer or inspector to perform any duty or act on behalf of the Council; Prescribe and determine powers and duties of officers and inspectors appointed by the Council Remove any name from the Register, Roll or List subject to such conditions as the Council may impose; Consider any matter affecting the pharmacy profession, and take such action in connection therewith as the Council may consider necessary; Delegate any of its powers to any officer, inspector or organization; Require any person registered, enrolled or enlisted under the Pharmacy Act or involved in pharmacy practice or offering pharmaceutical education or training to furnish the Council with the information it requires; Inquire into any matter, complaint, charge or allegation of

NTA Level 4 • Semester 2 • PST04208 Enlistment, Enrolment and Registration of Pharmaceutical Personnel Law and Ethics in Pharmacy Practice • Source Session/Topic 2 Full source-text version: all educational wording from the extracted learning source is retained; only presenter/tutor metadata and web-layout noise are removed, while formatting is improved for readability. Requirements for Enlistment, Enrolment and Registration of Pharmaceutical Personnel Students Learning Tasks By the end of this session students are expected to be able to: Define important terms as explained in pharmacy act 2011 List requirements for enlistment of Pharmaceutical Assistance List requirements for enrolment of Pharmaceutical Technicians List requirements for registration of Pharmacist Definition of important terms according to pharmacy act of 2011 The following are the meaning according to the pharmacy act of 2011 Pharmacist means a person registered by the pharmacy council and shall not be entitled to provide services as a Pharmacist, unless he is duly registered under the pharmacy Act Pharmaceutical Technician means a person enrolled by the pharmacy council and shall not be entitled to provide service as a Pharmaceutical Assistant unless he is duly enlisted under the pharmacy Act. Pharmaceutical assistance means a person enlisted by Pharmacy Council and shall not be entitled to provide service as a Pharmaceutical Assistant unless he is duly enlisted under the pharmacy Act. Requirements for enlistment of pharmaceutical assistance. The following are the requirements for enlistment of pharmaceutical assistance as per pharmacy act of 2011 For a person to be enlisted and practices as the Pharmaceutical assistance upon making an application to Pharmacy council should meet the following requirement; holds a certificate in pharmaceutical sciences or any other qualification recognized by the Council as being equivalent to a certificate in pharmaceutical sciences; Has complied with such additional requirements relating to the acquisition of practical experience as a Pharmaceutical Assistant, as the Minister may, after consultation with the Council, prescribe by regulations made under the pharmacy Act. His/ her professional and general conduct renders him/her fit and proper to be enlisted. NOTE: If a Pharmaceutical Assistant meet the above requirement and pay the payment of the prescribed fee, the Registrar will issue a certificate of enlisting in the prescribed form. Every enlisted person shall, before the 31st December of each year, file information to the Council in the prescribed manner for the retention of his name in the List and an application shall be accompanied by the prescribed retention fee The Council may remove from the List any enlisted person who does not comply with the prescribed requirement. Enrolment of Pharmaceutical Technicians SECTION 24 OF THE PHARMACY ACT 2011 (1) A person shall be entitled, upon making an application to the Council in the prescribed manner, to be enrolled under this section and to offer his services if he satisfies the Council that- (a) he is a Pharmaceutical Technician who is a holder of a diploma in pharmaceutical sciences or any other qualification recognized by the Council as being equivalent to a diploma in Pharmaceutical sciences offered inTanzania; (b) he has complied with such additional requirements relating to the acquisition of practical experience as a Pharmaceutical Technician, as the Minister may, after consultation with the Council, prescribe by regulations made under this Act; and (c) his professional and general conduct render him a fit and proper person to be enrolled. (2) An applicant aggrieved by the decision of the Council under this section may appeal to the Minister within thirty days after receipt of the decision. SECTION 25: Upon enrolment of a Pharmaceutical Technician and on payment of the prescribed fee, the Registrar shall issue a certificate of enrolment in the prescribed form. SECTION 26.-(1) every enrolled person shall, before the 31st December of each year, file information to the Council in the prescribed manner for the retention of his name in the Roll. D. Requirements for registration of Pharmacist Section 16 of pharmacy act 2011 16.-(1) A person shall not be entitled to provide services as a Pharmacist, unless he is duly registered under this Act. (2) A person shall be entitled, upon making an application to the Council in the prescribed manner, to be registered as a Pharmacist under this section and offer his services if he satisfies the Council that (a) He holds a pharmacy degree or any other qualification recognized by the Council as being equivalent to a pharmacy degree; (b) He has complied with such additional requirements relating to the acquisition of practical experience as a pharmacist; and (c) His professional and general conduct renders him fit and proper person to be registered as Pharmacist. ← Previous TopicNext Topic →View all Law and Ethics in Pharmacy Practice topicsOpen Complete Full Notes PDF / OFFLINE NOTES Unataka kutumiwa notes hizi kupitia WhatsApp?Kwa notes zilizopangiliwa vizuri kwa kusoma offline au PDF, bonyeza kitufe hapa chini. Ujumbe wenye Level, Semester, Module na Topic utaandaliwa moja kwa moja.TUMIWA NOTES WHATSAPP WhatsApp: 255620339260

NTA Level 4 • Semester 2 • PST04208 Registration and Licensing of Premises for Pharmacy Business Law and Ethics in Pharmacy Practice • Source Session/Topic 3 Full source-text version: all educational wording from the extracted learning source is retained; only presenter/tutor metadata and web-layout noise are removed, while formatting is improved for readability. 3.Requirements for Registration and Licensing of Premises for Pharmacy Business Students Learning Tasks By the end of this session students are expected to be able to: Mention steps followed for Change of business ownership or any other change. List Procedures for Application of Permits. Outline Types of permits and revocation, suspension and cancellation of permits. Define Pharmacy practices. List Rational use of Medicines as in accordance to Pharmacy Act 2011 Mention roles of a Minister in regard to permit issuing Write down criteria for Exceptions when supplying and dispensing medicines. Explain purpose of Pharmacy Council to issue dispensing certificates. Give steps to be followed during Restriction on pharmacy business and use of title. Explain Conditions for body corporate to become authorized seller of medicine Pharmacy Practices Means any acts pertaining to the scope of practice of a pharmacist, pharmaceutical technician or pharmaceutical assistant as approved by the Council; The Council shall, for the purposes of pharmacy practice, prescribe the scope of practice of persons registered, enrolled or enlisted under this Act or the services or acts which shall, for purposes of this Act, be deemed to be services or acts pertaining to the pharmacy profession and the conditions under which the services may be provided; The services to be provided in the various categories of pharmacies, and the conditions under which the services shall be provided; Rules relating to Code of Conduct for Pharmacists, Pharmaceutical Technicians and Pharmaceutical Assistants registered, enrolled or enlisted under the Act; Good Pharmacy Practice; The services for which a Pharmacist may levy fees and guidelines for levying such fees; The titles or trading names under which a pharmacy may be conducted; and Matters relating to the investigation and inspection of the pharmacy practice and the conduct of the business of a pharmacist (Section 38 of pharmacy act 2011). Procedures for Change of Business Ownership or Any other Change The pharmacy council as described in the act has the responsibility to know the continuity of pharmacy business at all time of operation. Therefore in case of any change whether ownership or any other change must be furnished to the council by the owner. As a result, every business owner shall, in writing notify the Council in the case of any change of ownership of the business or the change of registered premises. Subject to subsection (1), the registration of premises under this Act shall cease to have effect upon expiration of thirty days from the date of changing the ownership of the business of medicines and related medical supplies. (Section 35 Pharmacy act 2011) Procedures for Application for Permits A person shall not sell, dispense or supply medicinal products unless he has obtained a permit issued under this Act. An application for a permit shall be made to the Council in the prescribed form, and shall be accompanied by such fee as the Minister may prescribe. The Council shall not issue a permit to sell medicines and related medical supplies under this section unless the Council is satisfied. That the premises in respect of which the application relates shall be stored, meets the prescribed standards; That the equipment are available for storing the medicines and related medical supplies; With the suitability of the equipment and facilities which are used for distributing the medicines and related medical supplies; and With the arrangements made or to be made for securing the safe keeping, and the maintenance of adequate records in respect of medicines and related medical supplies stored in or distributed from those premises.( Section 36 of pharmacy council 2011) Types of Permits and Revocation, suspension and cancellation of permits. According to pharmacy council act 2011, the registrar shall issue the following pharmacy permits for: retail; distribution; institutional; or Any other business as the Council may deem fit for the purpose of this Act. Where the Council is satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to carryon type of business set out in the act and the premises in which the business is to be conducted meets the prescribed standards, it shall, issue a permit appropriate to such business subject to such general or special conditions as the Council may consider to be appropriate to impose. A permit issued under subsection (1) shall be in the form and manner as set out in the regulations made under this Act. Where the Council considers that the applicant is not fit and proper person to be issued with a permit to carry on any business specified under this section it shall refuse to issue the permit, as the case maybe. Cancellation and revocation The Council may, subject to the provisions of this Act and upon satisfaction that the terms and conditions of issuance of permit have been violated- Revoke, suspend or cancel the permit, as the case may be; and Direct the Registrar- to notify the person whose permit has been revoked, suspended or cancelled; and to delete the name of the person whose permit has been revoked, suspended or cancelled, as the case maybe Rational use of Medicines as in accordance to Pharmacy Act 2011 Rational use of medicines means: Patients receive medications appropriate to their clinical needs, in doses that meet their own individual requirements, for an adequate period of time, and the lowest cost to them and their community. The Council shall, for purposes of rational use of medicines, prescribe roles of pharmaceutical personnel relating to- pharmaceutical care; accessibility, sustain ability, affordability, efficacy, safety and quality of medicines; self medications; Policy perspective changes; Pharmaceutical public health; Research and communication; and any other act relating to appropriate use of medicines. For the purposes of ensuring the rational use of medicines, no

NTA Level 4 • Semester 2 • PST04208 Historical Background of Pharmacy Practice Law and Ethics in Pharmacy Practice • Source Session/Topic 4 Full source-text version: all educational wording from the extracted learning source is retained; only presenter/tutor metadata and web-layout noise are removed, while formatting is improved for readability. 4. Historical Background of Pharmacy Practice Students Learning Tasks By the end of this session students are expected to be able to: Define pharmacy practice Explain historical background of pharmacy practice Importance of pharmacy practice Introduction/background of pharmacy practice The number of medicines on the market has increased dramatically over the last few decades, bringing some real innovations but also considerable challenges in controlling the quality and rational use of medicines. In developing and industrialized countries alike, efforts to provide health care, including pharmaceutical care, are facing new challenges. These include the rising costs of health care, limited financial resources, a shortage of human resources in the health care sector, inefficient health systems, the huge burden of disease, and the changing social, technological, economic and political environment which most countries face. While globalization has brought countries closer together in trade of products and services and in recognition of academic degrees and diplomas, for example, it has led to rapid changes in the health care environment and to new complexities due to increased travel and migration The mission of the profession of pharmacy is to improve public health through ensuring safe, effective, and appropriate use of medications. Contemporary pharmacy practice reflects an evolving paradigm from one in which the pharmacist primarily supervises medication distribution and counsels patients, to a more expanded and team-based clinical role providing patient centered medication therapy management, health improvement, and disease prevention services. The role of the pharmacist is developing rapidly to meet the needs of modern health care systems. Ensuring accurate dispensing of prescribed medicines against prescriptions and providing sound advice on responsible self-medication remain vitally important parts of the service provided by pharmacists. Pharmacists have, however, recognized for some years that equally important roles are to advise other healthcare professionals on safe and rational use of medicines and to accept responsibility for seeking to ensure that medicines are used safely and effectively by those to whom they are supplied so that maximum therapeutic benefit is derived from treatment. This activity contributes both to the welfare of the individual and the overall improvement of public health Definition of pharmacy practice The “ Pharmacy Practice” means the interpretation, evaluation, and implementation of Medical Orders; the Dispensing of Prescription Drug Orders; participation in Drug and Device selection; Drug Administration; Drug Regimen Review; the Practice of Telepharmacy within and across state lines; Drug or Drug-related research; the provision of Patient Counseling; the provision of those acts or services necessary to provide Pharmacist Care in all areas of patient care, including Primary Care and Collaborative Pharmacy Practice; and the responsibility for Compounding and Labeling of Drugs and Devices (except Labeling by a Manufacturer, Repackager, or Distributor of Non-Prescription Drugs and commercially packaged Legend Drugs and Devices), proper and safe storage of Drugs and Devices, And maintenance Of required records. The practice of pharmacy also includes continually optimizing patient safety and quality of services through effective use of emerging technologies and competency-based training. Importance of Pharmacy Practice (20 minutes) Having seen the background, definition and highlights of pharmacy practice, let’s now look unto the importance of pharmacy practice In geriatric pharmacy practice: pharmacy practice is important because, Elderly patients are unique in that they possess an altered metabolic capacity for medications due to, for example, increased body fat and water, decreased muscle mass, decreased cardiac output and perfusion, decreased protein binding, reduced liver function, and reduced physiologic reserve—all of which lead to unique medication selection and dosing requirements compared to younger adults. As a result of concomitant disease states, multiple medications are often prescribed for elderly patients by a variety of providers. They also often require additional assistance to understand how to take their medications to avoid possible adverse drug effects. Lack of mobility, vision/hearing difficulties, and possible altered mental status may further hamper proper use of medications by the elderly. There is a shortage of healthcare professionals trained in geriatric pharmacotherapy and seniors older than 75 years of age are under-represented in clinical trials, resulting in a poor evidence base on which to make individualized therapeutic decisions. As the number of elderly patients continues to increase, the contribution of the pharmacist to quality, long-term medication management will require dramatic expansion. Pediatric pharmacy practice: The pediatric patient population spans the years from birth through adolescence, presenting a unique challenge with regard to drug therapy administration and monitoring. Unlike adults, dosing is most commonly based on body weight, and pharmacokinetic variables are standardized relative to weight and/or body surface area. Since physical growth and organ system maturation are dynamic processes throughout the aging continuum, frequent individual dosing calculations and adjustments are necessary, particularly in infants. Pediatric disease states, such as cystic fibrosis can further impact pharmacotherapy due to differences in pharmacokinetics seen in this particular subset of patients. Pediatric patients are under-represented in clinical trials, resulting in an inadequate evidence base on which to make individualized therapeutic decisions. Most commercially available drugs are not formulated for use in infants and children. In addition, the pediatric patient population poses a higher risk for medication errors. Pediatric patients are three times more likely to suffer from a medication error; and a relatively small magnitude of error, as compared to adults, may result in more serious consequences, especially in the youngest, most vulnerable patients. Pediatric patients frequently experience adverse drug reactions similar to adults, but adverse reactions in the pediatric population may be harder to recognize or be of greater or lesser intensity The practice of pharmacy may include but is not limited to: The selection and provision of non-prescription medicine therapies and therapeutic aids; products; The selection and provision of non-prescription medicine therapies and therapeutic aids; Health promotion, including health screening; Administration of

NTA Level 4 • Semester 2 • PST04208 Standards and Values of Pharmacy Profession Law and Ethics in Pharmacy Practice • Source Session/Topic 5 Full source-text version: all educational wording from the extracted learning source is retained; only presenter/tutor metadata and web-layout noise are removed, while formatting is improved for readability. 5. Standards and Values of Pharmacy Profession Students Learning Tasks By the end of this session students are expected to be able to: Define profession Explain standards of pharmacy profession Explain core values of pharmacy profession Definition of Profession Professions are dynamic; a definition is static. This makes any definition of a profession temporary from the very start. A generally recognized definition can, however, serve as a basis for a description of professionalism which takes into account the permanent factors whilst at the same time looking ahead to the development of the profession. A frequently used definition of (the medical) ‘profession’ is that of Cruess and Cruess (2004): Profession: an occupation whose core element is work based upon the mastery of a complex body of knowledge and skills. It is a vocation in which knowledge of some department of Science or learning or the practice of an art founded upon it is used in the service of others. Its members are governed by codes of ethics and profess a commitment to competence, Integrity and morality, altruism, and the promotion of the public good within their domain. These commitments form the basis of a social contract between a profession and society, which in return grants the profession a monopoly over the use of its knowledge base, the right to considerable autonomy in practice and the privilege of self-regulation. Professions and their members are accountable to those served and to society. The above definition emphasizes autonomy in practice. The practice of every professional, and therefore also that of the pharmacist, comprises four components Meet a social need or necessity within the practice; A clear stance regarding the responsibility of the individual professional for meeting the social needs The expectation to work in the patient’s interest A requirement to work within the healthcare paradigm. Standards of Pharmacy Profession Purpose of standards: Ensure that a learner possesses relevant competencies to undertake the roles and services described in his/ her scope of practice Assist in the development of education and training and development e.g. inform development of initial curriculum; assist providers in identifying learning outcomes; use as a self- assessment tool to evaluate their own level of competency; assist employers and learners to identify ongoing training and development needs Assist the individuals to facilitate their continuing professional development (CPD) e.g. a tool for all to use to assess their own practice. The Competence Standards for the Pharmacy Profession consist of seven standards. Supported by professional codes of ethics, competence standards describe the skills, attitudes and other attributes (including values and beliefs) attained by an individual based on knowledge and experience. They specify the application of that knowledge and skills to the standards of performance required in a practice setting. Together they enable the individual to practice effectively as pharmaceutical personnel. The value of competence standards rests with their capacity to support and facilitate professional practice and growth, in the interests of public safety. The seven broad areas of competency are: Practice Pharmacy in a Professional and Culturally Competent Manner Contribute to the Quality Use of Medicines Provide Primary Health Care Apply Management and Organization Skills Research and Provide Information Dispense Medicines Prepare Pharmaceutical Product STANDARD 1 Practice Pharmacy in a Professional and Culturally Competent Manner The Pharmacy Council recognizes that cultural competence, clinical competence and ethical Conducts are integral to professional pharmacy practice. Professionalism is encompassed by a set of attitudes, knowledge and skills based on clinical competence, communication skills, ethics, societal and legal requirements resulting in the application of behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to excellence, respect, integrity, empathy and accountability. This standard outlines these responsibilities which apply to all pharmacists, regardless of their pharmacy practice. Cultural competence is the ability to interact respectfully and effectively with persons from a background that is different from one’s own. It goes beyond an awareness of or sensitivity to another culture to include the ability to use that knowledge in cross-cultural situations, and includes the development and implementation of processes, procedures and practices that support the delivery of culturally competent (appropriate) services. Clinical competence, as expected of a pharmacist, is the application of knowledge and skills to ensure the safe and quality use of medicines to optimize health outcomes. Ethical conduct, as described in the Pharmacy Council Code of Ethics, is the expression of those principles and values that underpin the pharmacy profession STANDARD 2: Contribute to the Quality use of Medicines This competence standard covers the role of the pharmacist in promoting the quality use of medicines within an environment of professional pharmaceutical care. The Pharmacist’s role includes selecting, recommending, monitoring and evaluating medicine therapy as part of a health care team. Rational medicine use refers to the evidence-based selection, monitoring and evaluation of medicine therapy in order to optimize health outcomes. STANDARD 3: Provide Primary Health Care This competence standard concerns the role of the pharmacist in encouraging and assisting people to take responsibility for their own health. Primary health incorporates holistic care of patients including attention to lifestyle, diet, health promotion, illness prevention, referral and the supply of non-prescription medicines, therapies, diagnostic and therapeutic aids. This involves the pharmacist in treatment, referral and education STANDARD 4: Apply Management and Organization Skills This competence standard covers the organization and management skills common to all pharmacists. It encompasses the ability to deal with contingencies in the workplace as well as routine work. STANDARD 5: Research and Provide information This competence standard covers the role of the pharmacist in providing health-related information to other health professionals, patients and the public. The pharmacist’s role includes finding, interpreting, and evaluating, compiling, summarizing, generating and disseminating information, for the purpose of optimizing medicine related health outcomes. STANDARD 6:

NTA Level 4 • Semester 2 • PST04208 Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Pharmaceutical Practitioners Law and Ethics in Pharmacy Practice • Source Session/Topic 6 Full source-text version: all educational wording from the extracted learning source is retained; only presenter/tutor metadata and web-layout noise are removed, while formatting is improved for readability. 6. Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Pharmaceutical Practitioners Students Learning Tasks By the end of this session students are expected to be able to: Define important terms used in Code of Ethics Understand the Background of codes of ethics Explain codes of ethics Definition of important Terms used in Code of Ethics Pharmaceutical personnel pharmacist pharmaceutical technician pharmaceutical assistant intern pharmacist professional misconduct pharmacy practice professionalism pharmacy council breaches Definition of Terms: Pharmaceutical personnel: As per this code of ethics and professional conduct means registered pharmacist, enrolled pharmaceutical technician, enlisted pharmaceutical assistant and intern pharmacist. Pharmacist: Means a person registered under section 16 as per Pharmacy Act 2011, Cap 311 Pharmaceutical technician: Means a person enrolled under section 24 as per Pharmacy Act 2011, Cap 311 Pharmaceutical assistant: : Means a person enlisted under section 28 of Pharmacy Council Act 2011, Cap 311 Intern Pharmacist: Means any person registered as such under section 17 of Pharmacy Council Act 2011, Cap 311 Professional misconduct: Means any conduct which is in breach of the code of conduct, prescribed under the Pharmacy Council Act 2011, Cap 311 Pharmacy Practice: Means any act pertaining to the scope of practice of a Pharmacist, Pharmaceutical Technician and Pharmaceutical Assistant as approved by the council Professionalism: Means active demonstration of the following traits, Knowledge and skills of a profession, Commitment to self-improvement of skills and knowledge Service orientation, Pride in the profession, Collaborative relationship with the patient Creativity and innovation, Conscience and trustworthiness, Accountability for his/her work, Ethically sound decision making, and Leadership. Pharmacy Council: Means a council established under Section 3 of Pharmacy Council Act 2011, Cap 311. Breaches: Means an act of breaking, violating or disregarding any obligation of code of ethics and professional conduct. Background of Codes of Ethics A profession is distinguished by the willingness of individual practitioners to comply with ethical and professional standards, which exceed minimum legal requirements. The role of pharmaceutical personnel is developing and recognized as the expert on medicines within the overall health system, to ensure people maintain good health, through responsible use of medicines. To practice as pharmaceutical personnel means undertaking any role, whether remunerated or not, in which an individual uses his professional skills and knowledge. Pharmaceutical practices are not restricted to the provision of direct clinical care, but also include working in a non-clinical relationship with consumers, patients or care takers, in the discovery, development, and manufacture of medicines, in maintaining the supply chain or in procurement. Besides this, pharmaceutical management or administrations, in education, research, advisory, regulatory, or policy development roles are considered to be important role to this cadre. The code of ethics will therefore apply to pharmaceutical personnel in all pharmacy practice settings. At all times, Codes should strive to provide the best possible care for consumers, patients and care takers, with due regard for the limitations of available resources and the principles of equity and justice. These codes of ethics and Professional Conduct for pharmaceutical personnel therefore intend to reaffirm and state publicly the obligations that form the basis of the roles and responsibilities of pharmaceutical personnel. These obligations, based on established ethical principles, are provided to enable and guide pharmaceutical personnel in their daily practice of the profession. Explanation of Codes of Ethics The principles of the Code of Ethics are intended to capture the philosophical foundation of Pharmacy practice and to express the responsibilities and professional values that are fundamental and inherent to the pharmacy profession. They reflect and support developments in the profession, patient-centered practice and take into consideration patients’ rights and responsibilities. Pharmaceutical personnel are professionally accountable for their practice, which means being responsible for what they do or do not do, no matter what advice or direction a manager or another professional gives them. They may be faced with conflicting professional or legal responsibilities; therefore they must use their professional judgment when deciding on a course of action and should use their professional and ethical principles as a basis for making those decisions. The principles of the Code of ethics form the basis for the provision of a consistent high quality professional service which safeguards and promotes the well-being of patients and society and maintains public confidence in the profession. The principles are equally important and are listed in no particular order. AS PHARMACEUTICAL PERSONNEL YOU MUST: Make the health and well-being of the patient your first priority. Promote patient self-determination, respect patients’ rights, autonomy and freedom of choice. Use your professional judgment in the interests of patients and the public and promote family, and community health. Show respect for others and exercise your duties with professionalism. Actively seek and apply contemporary pharmacy knowledge and skills to ensure a high standard of professional competence. Act in a manner that promotes public trust and confidence in pharmacists and enhances the reputation of the profession. Practice in a manner that does not compromise your professional independence, judgment or integrity, or that of other pharmacists The principles or codes and their supporting explanations are given here under: Code 01: Make the health and well-being of the patient your first priority. The care, well-being and safety of patients are at the centre of everyday professional pharmacy practice. Irrespective of your field of work, your decisions or behavior can still affect their care or safety. For example: Ensure that your duty of care to a patient (or patients) is not compromised by a commercial interest or interest of any other kind, including any loyalty to or interests of an employer or other healthcare provider Where you have reasonable grounds to suspect the misuse or abuse of prescribed medicines consult with the prescriber. When medicines