Code of Ethics

A code of ethics is defined as set of principles and rules used by individuals to govern their decision-making process and it is a moral philosophy that involves distinguishing right from wrong. The codes of ethics ensure that adherents are behaving in a socially acceptable manner.

The RBVRRWCP Code of Ethics is a statement of our belief in ethical, legal and professional behavior in all dealings within and outside of the Institute.

The RBVRRWCP has adopted the code of ethics laid down by the Pharmacy Council of India and is imbibed in the practice, teaching and training processes.

Code of Pharmaceutical Ethics as formulated by Pharmacy Council of India which are meant to guide the pharmacist as to how he (or she) should conduct himself (or herself), in relation to himself (or herself), his / her patrons (owner of the pharmacy), general public, co-professionals etc. and patients, which may be categorized under the following headings:

1. Pharmacist in relation to job.
2. Pharmacist in relation to trade.
3. Pharmacist in relation to medical profession.
4. Pharmacist in relation to profession.
5. Pharmacist in relation to job
6. Scope of Pharmaceutical Services:

• When premises are registered under statutory requirements and opened as a pharmacy, a reasonably comprehensive pharmaceutical service should be provided.
• This involves the supply of commonly required medicines of this nature without undue delay.
• It also involves willingness to furnish emergency supplies at all times.

Conduct of the Pharmacy:

• The conditions in a pharmacy should be such as to preclude avoidable risk or error or of accidental contamination in the preparation, dispensing and supply of medicines.
• The appearance of the premises should reflect the professional character of the pharmacy.
• It should be clear to the public that the practice of pharmacy is carried out in the establishment.
• Signs, notices, descriptions, wording on business, stationary and related indications, should be restrained in size, design and terms.

Handling of prescription

• When a prescription is presented for dispensing, it should be received by a pharmacist without any comment or discussion over it, regarding the merits demerits of its therapeutic efficiency.
• It is not within a capacity of a pharmacist to add, omit or substitute anyingredient or alter the composition of a prescription without the consent of aprescriber.
• In case of any obvious error in it, due to any omissions it should be referred back to the prescriber for correction.
• When such an act is necessary, it should neither offend the customer nor affect the reputation of the prescriber.

Handling of drugs

• Prescription should be correctly dispensed with the drugs of standard quality.
• All the ingredients must be weighed correctly and must be in exact proportions.
• A Pharmacist should be very Judicious in dealing with drugs andmedicinal preparations used for addiction or any other abusivepurposes.

Pharmacist in relation to trade

1. Price structure: Prices charged from customers should be fair and must be in accordance with the quality and quantity of drugs including his compounding charges.
2. Fair trade practice: No attempts should be made to get business by unethical and cut throat competitions, labels, trade market and science and symbols of others should not be imitated.
3. Purchase of drugs: Always standard drugs must be purchased from reputable and genuine sources.
4. Hawking of drugs: Hawking of drugs and medicines should not be encouraged nor should any attempt be made to get orders for such substances from door to door. Pharmacies and drug stores should not practice the method of self-servicingor counter sales without the qualified person. They should discourage self-medication, which is dangerous and highly undesirable.
5. Advertising and display: The pharmacist should not advertise or display in the premises, in the press, elsewhere, in connection with the sale to the public of medicines or medical appliances which is undignified in style or which contains:
   • Any offer about refund of money
   • Misleading, or exaggerated statements or claims.
   • The word “Cure” in reference to an ailment or symptoms of ill-health.
   • A guarantee of therapeutic efficiency
   • An appeal to fear
   • An incentive schemes
   • Any reference to a medical practitioner or a hospital
   • A reference to sexual weakness, premature aging or loss of virility
   • Any reference to condemn the products of similar nature of others

Pharmacist in relation to medical profession

The pharmacist must be law obeying citizen and must fulfil the provisions of the pharmaceutical and other laws and regulations. He should have relationship with his own professional organizations. He should maintain dignity, decorum, decency and propriety of his profession. Following are the code of ethics of a pharmacist in relation to medical profession:

1. The professional activity of the medical practitioner as well as the pharmacists should be confined to their own field only. Medical practitioners should not possessdrugs stores and pharmacists should not diagnose diseases and prescribe remedies. A pharmacist may, however, can deliver first aid to the victim in-case of accident or emergency.
2. No pharmacist should recommend a medical practitioner in particular.Pharmacist should be never entering into secret arrangements with practitioner to offer them commission by recommending his dispensary or drug store. He should maintain strictly the professional secrecy, unless required to do so by law.
3. A pharmacist should always maintain proper link between physicians and people. He should advise the physicians on pharmaceutical matters and should educate the people regarding health and hygiene. The pharmacist should keep himself/herself up-to-date with pharmaceutical knowledge from various journalsor publications. Any information acquired by a pharmacist during his professional activities should not be disclosed to any third party until and unless required to do so by law.
   • Pharmacist in relation to profession Regarding to the profession the following code of ethics should be fulfilled.
   • Professional vigilance A pharmacist must abide by the pharmaceutical laws and he/she should see that other pharmacists are abiding it.
   • Law-abiding citizens The pharmacists should have a fair knowledge of the laws of the country pertaining to food, drug, pharmacy, health, sanitation etc.
   • Relationship with Professional Organizations A pharmacist should be actively involved in professional organization, should advance the cause of such organizations.
   • Decorum and Propriety A pharmacist should not indulge in doing anything that goes against the decorum and propriety of Pharmacy Profession.
   • Pharmacists OathA young prospective pharmacist should feel no hesitation in assuming thepharmacist’s oath.

Pharmacist’s Oath

• I Swear by the code of Ethics of Pharmacy Council of India in relation to the community and shall act as an integral part of health care team.
• I shall uphold the laws and standards governing my profession.
• I shall strive to perfect and enlarge my knowledge to contribute to the advancement of pharmacy and public health.
• I shall follow the system, which I consider best for pharmaceutical care and counseling of patients.
• I shall endeavour to discover and manufacture drugs of quality to alleviate sufferings of humanity.
• I shall hold in confidence the knowledge gained about the patients in connection with professional practice and never divulge unless compelled to do so by the law.
• I shall associate with organizations having their objectives for betterment of the profession of Pharmacy and make contribution to carry out the work of those organizations.
• While I continue to keep this Oath inviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of pharmacy respected by all, at all times!
• Should I trespass and violate this oath, may the reverse be my lot!

Code of Ethics for Research

1. Obtain the appropriate approval for area and the title of research from concerned authority.
2. Obtain appropriate permissions to get information/data for research from participants and organizations
3. Obtain appropriate permissions from various regulatory bodies

(IAEC for Institute Animal Ethics Committe)

1. Follow SOP guidelines laid down by concerned regulatory body.
2. Avoid unreasonable risk or harm to humans or animals used in research and to the environment
3. Handle privileged or confidential information on individuals collected during research in an approved manner including appropriate disposal of such material
4. Follow approved procedures when producing or discarding hazardous materials including chemical, biological, genetically modified materials and the human elements
5. Avoid any conflicts of interest especially in inter-disciplinary collaborative work.
6. Avoid publishing plagiarized materials
7. Avoid manipulation of data to obtain desired result
8. Respect for Intellectual Property
9. Unbiased approach throughout the period of research including experiments of data collection and analysis of publication.