Topic 07

Code of Ethics and Regulatory Bodies

PHARMACIST CODE OF ETHICS

Pharmacists are health professionals who assist individuals in making the best use of
medications. This Code, prepared and supported by pharmacists, is intended to state publicly the
principles that form the fundamental basis of the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists. These
principles, based on moral obligations and virtues, are established to guide pharmacists in
relationships with patients, health professionals, and society.

I. A pharmacist respects the covenantal relationship between the patient and pharmacist.

Considering the patient-pharmacist relationship as a covenant means that a pharmacist has

moral obligations in response to the gift of trust received from society. In return for this gift, a
pharmacist promises to help individuals achieve optimum benefit from their medications, to be
committed to their welfare, and to maintain their trust.

II. A pharmacist promotes the good of every patient in a caring, compassionate, and
confidential manner.

A pharmacist places concern for the well-being of the patient at the center of professional
practice. In doing so, a pharmacist considers needs stated by the patient as well as those defined
by health science. A pharmacist is dedicated to protecting the dignity of the patient. With a
caring attitude and a compassionate spirit, a pharmacist focuses on serving the patient in a
private and confidential manner.

III. A pharmacist respects the autonomy and dignity of each patient.

A pharmacist promotes the right of self-determination and recognizes individual self-worth by

encouraging patients to participate in decisions about their health. A pharmacist communicates
with patients in terms that are understandable. In all cases, a pharmacist respects personal and
cultural differences among patients.
IV. A pharmacist acts with honesty and integrity in professional relationships.

A pharmacist has a duty to tell the truth and to act with conviction of conscience. A pharmacist
avoids discriminatory practices, behavior or work conditions that impair professional judgment,
and actions that compromise dedication to the best interests of patients.

V. A pharmacist maintains professional competence.

A pharmacist has a duty to maintain knowledge and abilities as new medications, devices, and
technologies become available and as health information advances.

VI. A pharmacist respects the values and abilities of colleagues and other health
professionals.

When appropriate, a pharmacist asks for the consultation of colleagues or other health
professionals or refers the patient. A pharmacist acknowledges that colleagues and other health
professionals may differ in the beliefs and values they apply to the care of the patient.

VII. A pharmacist serves individual, community, and societal needs.

The primary obligation of a pharmacist is to individual patients. However, the obligations of a

pharmacist may at times extend beyond the individual to the community and society. In these
situations, the pharmacist recognizes the responsibilities that accompany these obligations and
acts accordingly.

VIII. A pharmacist seeks justice in the distribution of health resources.

When health resources are allocated, a pharmacist is fair and equitable, balancing the needs of
patients and society.

*adopted by the membership of the American Pharmacists Association October 27, 1994.
Oath of a Pharmacist

At this time, I vow to devote my professional life to the service of all humankind through the
profession of pharmacy.

I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of human suffering my primary concerns.

I will apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal
drug therapy outcomes for the patients I serve.

I will keep abreast of developments and maintain professional competency in my profession of

pharmacy. I will maintain the highest principles of moral, ethical and legal conduct.

I will embrace and advocate change in the profession of pharmacy that improves patient care.

I take these vows voluntarily with the full realization of the responsibility with which I am
entrusted by the public.
 Local and foreign drug regulatory bodies.

1. The Pharmacy Council of Bangladesh (PCB)

• It is an autonomous body under the Health Service Division, Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare, Govt. of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. It was established under
The Pharmacy Act 2013 (Special Rule) (Previously known as The Pharmacy ordinance
1976, Ordinance No. X111 of 1976.)
• The Pharmacy Council of Bangladesh (PCB) is a regulatory body for controlling the
education and profession of pharmacy in Bangladesh.
• The PCB regulate the pharmacy education and practice of pharmacy including issuance
of professional registration certificate of Pharmacists (Grade A), Diploma Pharmacists
(Grade B) and Pharmacy technicians (Grade C)
• The Pharmacy Council of Bangladesh (PCB) is working to ensure the highest standard
of quality required for proper pharmacy education, training and practice in different
academia, pharmaceutical industry, community pharmacy and hospital pharmacy.
• The Main objective of the Pharmacy Council of Bangladesh is to regulate the practice of
Pharmacy throughout Bangladesh.

2. Directorate General of Drug Administration.

• Before 1971 it was an organization under the Central Govt of Pakistan under the
Controller of drugs.
• After the war of liberation- An attached department of the Ministry of Health and
Population Control.
• Since 1976, it has been working as a separate Directorate directly under the Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare and in 17 January 2010, it upgraded as the Directorate
General of Drug Administration.
• Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) is the organization entrusted with
the responsibility of ensuring the quality, efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical products
though the implementation of relevant legislation.
 • The organization is trying its best to fulfill the requirements of the pharmaceutical sector
of the country and thereby meeting the needs of the people of the country by ensuring
the safety, efficacy and quality of the medicines.

Responsibility
The responsibilities of this organization are as follows :
a. To ensure the quality, safety, efficacy and usefulness of all kinds of drugs and medicines
including Homeopathic, Unani, Ayurvedic and Herbal drugs which are produced , imported and
marketed in the country and also exported to overseas.
b. To make essential drugs available and affordable to the common people of the country.

3. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Society

• It is the officially recognized professional organization serving the Pharmacist community of

Bangladesh, established in 1968
• Its primary objectives are to advance the profession of pharmacy in Bangladesh and making the
role of pharmacists effective and meaningful in formulating and implementing the National
Health Programme.
• BPS is a member of International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and Commonwealth
Pharmacists Association (CPA).
• Since its inception in 1968, BPS is playing an active role in helping the government to adopt
policies regarding drug and their uses.
• Representatives from BPS is always included in all bodies constitute by the Government to
review and revise the drug policies.
• BPS also publishes the Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal, Pharmachronicle and National
Formulary of Bangladesh.

4. The Bangladesh Pharmacy Graduate Association

5. Bangladesh Druggist and Chemists Association
6. Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries
7. Diploma Pharmacists Association
 Foreign Regulatory Agencies

As the pharmaceutical industries throughout the globe are moving ahead towards turning into
additional and competitive, regulatory agencies are established in many countries across the
world. Regulatory agencies and organizations play a significant role to meeting the legal
procedures associated with drug development method. The restrictive body ensures compliances
in numerous legal and restrictive aspects of a drug. Each country has its own administrative unit
that is accountable to enforce the principles and rules and issue the rules to control drug
development method, licensing, registration, producing, promoting and labelling of
pharmaceutical product. USFDA(USA) [U.S. Food and Drug Administration],
MHRA(UK) [Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency], TGA(Australia)
[Therapeutic Goods Administration], CDSCO(India) [Central Drugs Standard Control
Organisation], HEALTH CANADA(CANADA), MCC(South Africa),ANVISA (Brazil) ,
EMEA (European Union), SFDA (China), NAFDAC(Nigeria), MEDSAFE(Newzeland),
MHLW(Japan), MCAZ(Zimbabwe), SWISSMEDIC(Switzerland), KFDA(Korea), MoH (Sri
Lanka) are the few regulatory agencies and organizations established in individual countries.

World Health Organization (WHO), Pan yankee Health Organization (PAHO), World Trade
Organization (WTO), International Conference on Harmonization (ICH), World property
Organization (WIPO) are a number of international regulatory agencies and organizations that
additionally play essential role altogether aspects of pharmaceutical rules associated with drug
product registration, producing, distribution, control, marketing, analysis and development, and
property protection.