Ethics and legal issues

Ethics and legal issues

All pharmacists should be aware of the legal and ethical principles governing the practice of the profession. There is no specific UK case law relating to the provision of MI by hospital pharmacists. The whole pharmacy profession is governed by the legal and ethical principles set out by its own regulatory body, and published in Medicines, Ethics and Practice – A Guide for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians. Although it contains no specific reference to the practice of MI, the section ‘Code of Ethics and Professional Standards’ does include statements which have direct applicability to the practice and provision of MI, including: (1) acting in the interests of patients and the public; (2) keeping up to date; and (3) respecting confidentiality. Specifically regarding information provision, the guide states: ‘Be accurate and impartial when teaching others and when providing or publishing information to ensure that you do not mislead others or make claims that cannot be justified.’

MI pharmacists are also a source of advice on legal and ethical issues routinely confronting all pharmacists, as well as on all legal and ethical issues relating to the prescribing, supply and administration of medicines by other healthcare professions. UKMi has published guidelines that cover the legal and ethical issues confronting MI pharmacists in the course of their duties. These are, again, issues that will need to be considered by all pharmacists, but which have a more immediate significance to an MI pharmacist. The main issues are identified in Table 8.4.