Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics at a Glance

In fulfilling our professional promise to our patients and to society, healthcare professionals are guided by the following ethical principles of healthcare:

Beneficence (to benefit)

Our primary role and function as healthcare professionals is to benefit our patients. We need to remember that our patients seek our care and services because they believe and trust that we will apply our knowledge, skills and abilities to help make them better.

Non Maleficence (do no harm)

As we strive to benefit our patients, we must be diligent in our efforts to do no harm and, whenever possible, prevent harm from occurring.

Respect for Persons/Justice

All persons are worthy of our respect, compassion and consideration. We demonstrate this when we respect our patients’ vulnerability, autonomy and right to be self-governing decision makers in their own healthcare. The principle of “Justice” requires that we fulfill our ethical obligation to treat all patients fairly and equitably.

Accountability (Fidelity)

We must ensure that we keep our promise to our patients and society to always and invariably act in their best interests and not our own. It is this principle that holds us accountable, not just for our own actions and behaviours, but for those of our colleagues as well.

Read the Code of Ethics

 e-Learning Modules

To support and assist pharmacy professionals in understanding how the Code of Ethics applies in everyday practice, the College developed a series of e-Learning modules.

• Code of Ethics Introduction
• Principle of Beneficence (to benefit)
• Principle of Non Maleficence (do no harm)
• Principle of Respect for Persons/Justice
• Principle of Accountability (Fidelity)
• Professional Boundaries

Video Practice Examples:

• Confidentiality
• Continuity of Care
• Applying Professional Judgement