Code of ethics.

Abstract

D uring the Watergate scandal of the Nixon presi­ dency, one of all the President's men said that he was involved because he had lost his His focus was skewed by the intense political struggles of that time. Day-to-day decision making in pharmacy practice certainly doesn't have the global ramifications of Watergate, but issues are presented that require some guidance. A formal code of ethics may help to maintain the focus of that compass. A code provides guidelines for behavior and decision making in situations with moral (not necessarily legal) implications. In some situations, such as borrowing antibiotics, the illegality of the situation answers any question. Other situations require examination in light of the profession's code of ethics. For example, discus­ sing a patient by name with people outside of the hospi­ tal may violate the ethical standard of patient confiden­ tiality. Although codes are put forth in very general terms which sometimes allow differing interpretations of whether a specific act is ethical or not, they are useful in guiding interpretation and demonstrating the profes­ sion's recognition of the need for ethical standards. As a relatively young profession, pharmacy technol­ ogy is focused on its survival and growth. These foci are essential; it requires a tremendous amount of energy and effort to establish the identity of a new profession. In Diem's letter (page 52) the call for a professional code of ethics is an important sign of the growth of the pro­ fession. He correctly points out the need for pharma­ cists to recognize that technicians are performing their duties in an ethical manner. Generating a code of ethics will demonstrate that technicians recognize the ultimate goal of the profession. The American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA) established a code of ethics in 1852 and has revised it The ultimate goal for technicians in developing a code of ethics is affirming your responsibility to the patient rather than overcoming the distrust of pharmacists.