Over the last decade, many medical cases, such as the Bristol and Shipman Inquiry, demonstrates failure of doctors to act in competence and performance in order to achieve the best outcome for patients. (Pharmacyregulation.org, 2013). Although these cases principally concern the medical profession they have resulted in the mobilization of many healthcare professional regulatory bodies in the United Kingdom in order to review the principles behind competence and fit to practice. This necessity for evidence and re-examination of good practice of healthcare providers resulted in the release of White Paper ‘Trust, Assurance and Safety-The Regulation of Health Professionals in the 21st Century (Schafheutle et al, 2010). This paper concerns health professionals, including pharmacist, and aims to establish a system of regulations that will ensure the capability of pharmacist to act in best concern of the patient and guarantee their capability to do so. The white paper outlines the need for pharmacists to meet and maintain their standards in order to remain registered. This essay concerns itself with the idea of revalidation of professional pharmacists and their qualifications and how largely this idea is informed by ethical considerations.
Revalidation is defined from the General Pharmaceutical council as the “The process by which assurance of continuing fitness to practice of registrants is provided and in a way which is aimed primarily at supporting and enhancing professional practice’’ (Pharmacyregulation.org, 2013).In other words Revalidation means the renewal of pharmacist’s original registration through the supplementation of evidence that they are still capable to work effectively, up to date and in accordance to ethic...
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...harmacyregulation.org. 2013. Revalidation | General Pharmaceutical Council. [online] Available at: http://pharmacyregulation.org/education/revalidation [Accessed: 25 Nov 2013].
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Code of ethics for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, August 2007.
Seston, L. and Schafheutle,, E. 2010. A LITERATURE REVIEW ON FACTORS INFLUENCING PHARMACIST PERFORMANCE. [report] Manchester: National Clinical Assessment Service, pp. 7-10.
Schafheutle, E.,Jacobs ,S.,Jee ,S et al. (2010). Revalidation in Pharmacy: Evaluation of appraisal and alternative sources of evidence .School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences The University of Mancheste. 1
Wang, P.S., Schneeweiss ,S., Avorn ,J et al. (2005). Risk of Death in Elderly Users of Conventional vs. Atypical Antipsychotic Medications.The New Engand Journal of Medicine. 10 (353), 2335-2341.
Royal Pharmaceutical Society. (2013). Medicines, Ethics and Practice: the professional guide for pharmacists. (37th Ed.). London: Pharmaceutical Press.
The medical profession is plagued with ethical issues that are related to the job and others that are linked to those areas that have a direct impact on healthcare delivery, like pharmacists and pharma companies that sell medicines. The ethical discharge of duties is not binding on physicians and actual health care deliverers, but it is also invested in every person who is connected to health care delivery.
Responsibility and accountability become important when medical staff gives or doses patients with medication. The chance for making a medication error presents itself at all times. Those passing medications must follow established policies and procedures developed and laid forth by t...
Pharmacy appeals to me because of its potential to ease people’s physical and emotional suffering. The simple act of listening and being empathetic to the concerns of other’s health and wellbeing has inspired me to learn more about the profession. Perseverance in college followed by the biotech industry has provided me with the necessary research skills to be successful. The ever-changing pharmacy field would allow me to continue my education, culminating in an exciting career.
...ort her actions, then Jack must do so as he is too responsible for making this situation known to the appropriate people. However, one must acknowledge how difficult this may be for Jack due to the long-standing relationship he has with Linda. It should also be apparent now that Linda’s actions are unjustifiable. She is not only acting unprofessionally and unethically by not delivering the medication but she is committing an illegal offence by falsifying records and stealing from the ward. To conclude, it is important to remember that the Department of Health and Children (2008) acknowledge that healthcare has originated in a world which is not flawless and that as humans, errors are possible. However, members of the healthcare system must try and prevent these errors from occurring where possible to ensure a high standard of care which is owed to the service users.
In 1998 the (AphA) adopted policies recognizing a pharmacist’s right to refuse dispensing medications based on personal belief. However, if the pharmacist refuses they still have duty to the patient to refer them to another pharmacist. The dilemma is now whether to refer or not. Potential ramifications of not referring are employment termination, civil liability, or disciplinary action form state pharmacy board.
Pharmacists have a very tedious job because it requires a lot of attention to detail. Pharmacists dispense drugs and provide information to the patients about medication. Not only do they provide information to patients about side effects, but also they inform physicians of the ever-changing selection of drugs and dosage. Weighing, measuring, mixing drugs, finding the identity and purity, and strength of medications is also an important part of the job. Pharmacists must be sure not to dispense drugs that will have a negative reaction to the other medications that the patient may already be taking. Pharmacists work in clean, well-lighted, and well-ventilated areas. They work with dangerous materials and sterile pharmaceutical products, which require them to wear gloves and masks. Many full time, salaried pharmacists work at least about forty hours per week. Community pharmacists research and dispense information and help for diabetes, asthma, smoking cessation, and high blood pressure....
The ethics surrounding the Pharmaceutical Industry in the United States and around the world have long been debated by not only healthcare professional, but the general public as well. Due to their high revenues rates and constant legal battles with the government and consumers, new regulations are constantly being developed. For example, in 2009, new voluntary regulations were put out by The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America in order to establish guidelines regarding the relationship between physicians and drug representatives in an attempt to improve patient care as a whole. As stated in the new code, “Interactions should be focused
I pleased to apply to the PharmD program as the program is one area that corresponds to my career dreams. Being part of this program gives one the opportunity to gain an excellent experience in working and collaborating with various health care providers in the ward. But more importantly, it facilitates a practical environment in dealing more closely with patients. Hence, it helps to provide the ultimate health care services to patients. Also, it permits me to carry on gaining different knowledge, skills, and values in addition to those I have already developed during my undergraduate studies. My interest in being a clinical pharmacist was first aroused during my SPEP rotation in the hospital setting where I was really impressed with the role of clinical pharmacists who provide a consistent process of patient care with healthcare teams to maintain the appropriateness, effectiveness and safety of the medication use. Unlike a pharmacist, a clinical pharmacist has a more diversified responsibilities and closeness to direct patient care. Moreover, provides
The discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of medicines always involve questions of ethics. For example increasing pressure by governments to reduce healthcare expenditures potentially creates ethical issues for sales and marketing employees as they work to grow in the business. The healthcare industry is highly regulated and most pharmaceutical companies are committed to operating within the law. They have developed their own policies and guidance to ensure that all employees meet the highest ethical standards in their work. The Code of Conduct explains the standards that are expected from employees and is clearly communicated across each company. An Employee Guide to Business Conduct explains what the Code means in practice.
...rm and to ensure that changes to protocols are implemented after adverse events occur. In terms of ensuring the quality of services being provided, The Pharmacy Act 2007 allows the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) to inspect retail pharmacy businesses to ensure they are complying with the act in the interest of public safety (Oireachtas, 2007). During an investigation if the PSI inspectors find something that does not comply with the act they have the authority to take actions they see appropriate in a bid to protect patient safety.
Competency standards are constructed to describe all the fundamental qualities which are attained by an individual based on knowledge and experience, and together enable the individual to practise effectively as a professional. The National Competencies Framework provides a set of diverse guidelines for training pharmacists to develop into a qualified health professional who can ultimately promote the quality use of medicines in Australia.
Like every career, pharmacists have certain qualities and skills. I feel that I fit many qualities of pharmacists, including an attention to detail, communication skills, and science and mathematic skills. I have also been a perfectionist, paying attention to each detail of my work. This is what helped me stay organized throughout high school, and earn a 4.021 cumulative GPA. Pharmacists must be detail-orientated to ensure their patients receive the right dosage, amount, and type of medication. An error in this could harm the patient, therefore breaking the Hippocratic oath. Furthermore, a pharmacist must pay attention to the patient’s other prescriptions and medical history to avoid any negative reactions. Next, I have earned strong customer service and communication skills from my job at Fareway Food Stores. Since I earned this job in May 2012, I have made it one of my goals to assist and brighten the day of my customers. As a pharmacist, I would need strong communication skills with my patients to fit them with the best prescription possible. Additionally, I would counsel them on the directions of their mediation, any potential side affects, and how to add new medications into their lifestyle with the least amount of stress. Apart from my patients, I would have to communicate my with pharmacy technicians and any interns I may have, as well as insurance companies. Lastly, I feel I have natural abilities in science and mathematics. I
Firstly, the main role of a pharmacist is to dispense medicines to their patients according to the prescription given. Before this, they have to ensure that they delivering the right drug, the strength and dosage of the medicine are appropriate, as well as ensuring the medication is safety and can work effectively in the human body. (Swanson, 2005)
...doctors and pharmaceutical companies. Though there should be some boundaries or acceptable guidelines to avoid unethical medical practice such as the PhRMA code and the U.S. law. Unfortunately, these guidelines and regulations have a common drawback which is they can be written for subject to interpretation. To blame it on the lack of guidelines or regulations would be inappropriate because there is an assumption that medical doctors and pharmaceutical companies are incapable of thinking if their actions have any ethical implications or they were not able to differentiate from right and wrong. It takes two to tango, both teams are at fault. They have forgotten how their decisions would take in effect on patients. Pharmaceutical companies and medical doctors need to remember that their actions are to better help humanity and never forget the that power entails of.