Ethics in Pharmacy Practice
Law CE for Pharmacist & Pharmacy Techs
Monograph
Course Summary
In the pharmacy setting, pharmacists and pharmacy staff may be guided by the Code of Ethics for Pharmacists and the principles embodied in the Oath of a Pharmacist. Ethics can be divided into three categories: metaethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics. Beauchamp and Childress built on the ethical theory called principlism. They describe four principles that are foundational to ethics in biomedicine: autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice. Confidentiality may be added as a fifth foundational principle. Principlism is attractive for its simplicity, but ethical pluralism challenges this view, arguing that norms are not necessarily universal but can vary. The principles underlying medical ethics benefit patients. They drive patient-centered care, which improves patient outcomes. The principle of beneficence is not universally part of ethical standards in other professions. It promotes patient-centered care and empathy in the patient-clinician relationship. Non-maleficence requires clinicians not to harm patients. Ethics in medical practice can foster patient safety. However, not all clinicians share the same religious or moral beliefs, and difficult ethical questions arise when these beliefs conflict with codes or oaths or affect patient care.
Define ethics and describe how it differs from morality and legality
Define ethics and discuss parts of the pharmacy code of ethics
Discuss why ethics is important to patient care
Recognize common ethical dilemmas when dispensing drugs or providing drug information
Course Syllabus
- Introduction
- The Development of Ethical Standards
- Branches of Ethics
- Societal Norms and Principles
- Societal Norms and Ethical Pluralism
- Ethics in Medicine Should be Patient-Centered
- Codes of Ethics and Oaths
- Why Ethics is Important to Patient Care
- Ethical Considerations in Clinical Practice
- Beneficence and Autonomy
- Autonomy and Confidentiality
- Ethical Decision-making
- Ethics and Technology
- Conscience Clauses and the Right to Refuse Services
- Summary
- Read the course objectives and faculty planner disclosure
- Read the course material
- Complete the post-test with a minimum score of 70% and complete the course evaluation form.
- Results are automatically submitted to CPE Monitor
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in planning, developing, and/or authoring this activity: Steven Malen, PharmD, MBA; and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. None of the individuals involved in developing this activity has a conflict of interest or financial relationships related to the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosures
The information provided in this course is general in nature, and it is designed solely to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant's professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals must consult their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization for guidelines, protocols, and procedures to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures, but is for academic purposes only, and this course's limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses is constantly changing. Any person taking this course understands that such a person must make an independent review of medication information before any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only, and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course or course material.
Computer Hardware/Software Requirements
Please ensure the device you plan to use meets these requirements and specifications:
- Operating System: Windows 7,8,10, or 11 /Mac OS X 10.9 or later/iOS/Android
- Supported Browsers: Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera
- A connection to the internet
- For Live Webinars or Conferences: GoToWebinar application for iOS, Android, Mac, or PC. You cannot 'call into' a live conference.
- Target Audience: Pharmacist, Pharmacy Tech
- Secondary Audiences: This educational activity is also for other healthcare professionals, such as nurses, physicians, or others who may be part of a healthcare team and may be interested in this educational topic. A healthcare team approach to patient care may be discussed in this activity, as applicable. No state board or professional organization has evaluated this activity to determine whether it meets the continuing education requirements of nurses, physicians, or other professions not listed under the “Target Audience” described above. Always verify with individual employers or supervisors whether they will accept this educational activity upon completion.
- Contact Hours: 2.00 (0.20 CEUs)
- Activity Release Date: 2/28/2026
- Activity Expiration Date: 2/28/2029
- Activity Type: Knowledge
- UAN: JA4008424-0000-26-020-H03-P
- Topic: Law
- UAN Number: (Techs): JA4008424-0000-26-020-H03-T
- CeBroker Number: 20-1361838
Faculty:
RxCe.com, LLC is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
RxCe.com, LLC, offers pharmacy technician continuing education courses for PTCB recertification. Pharmacy technician courses are indicated both in the Target Audience description and the ACPE UAN which will end with a "T".