Alabama Administrative Code › Title 680 - ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF PHARMACY › Chapter 680-X-2 - PRACTICE OF PHARMACY › Section 680-X-2-.22 - Code Of Professional Conduct

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1) Pharmacists and pharmacies are expected
			 to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. The following code
			 provides principles of professional conduct for pharmacists and pharmacies to
			 guide them in their relationship with patients, fellow practitioners, other
			 health professionals and the public.
(2) Violations of any provisions of this rule
			 shall be deemed grounds for disciplinary action whenever the Board shall find a
			 preponderance of evidence to such violations.
(a) A pharmacist and a pharmacy should hold
			 the health and safety of patients to be of first consideration and should
			 render to each patient the full measure of professional ability as an essential
			 health practitioner.
(b) A
			 pharmacist and a pharmacy should never knowingly condone the dispensing,
			 promoting, or distributing of drugs or medical devices, or assist therein, that
			 are not of good quality, that do not meet standards required by law, or that
			 lack therapeutic value for the patient.
(c) A pharmacist and a pharmacy should always
			 strive to perfect and enlarge professional knowledge. A pharmacist and a
			 pharmacy should utilize and make available this knowledge as may be required in
			 accordance with the best professional judgment.
(d) A pharmacist has the duty to observe the
			 law, to uphold the dignity and honor of the profession, and to accept its
			 ethical principles. A pharmacist and a pharmacy should not engage in any
			 activity that will bring discredit to the profession and should expose, without
			 fear or favor, illegal or unethical conduct in the profession.
(e) A pharmacist and a pharmacy should
			 respect the confidential and personal nature of professional records; except
			 where the best interest of the patient requires or the law demands, a
			 pharmacist and a pharmacy should not disclose such information to anyone
			 without proper patient authorization.
(f) A pharmacist should not agree to practice
			 under terms or conditions that interfere with or impair the proper exercise of
			 professional judgment and skill, that cause a deterioration of the quality of
			 professional services, or that require consent to unethical conduct.
(g) A pharmacy shall provide an environment
			 that allows for the proper exercise of professional judgment and skill by
			 pharmacists.
(h) A pharmacy shall
			 not allow an environment that may cause a deterioration of the quality of
			 professional services, or that require unethical conduct, including, but not
			 limited to:
1. Any deviation from safe
			 pharmacy practices
2. Any other
			 conditions or practices which may adversely affect the public health, safety,
			 or welfare
(i) A
			 pharmacist and a pharmacy should strive to provide information to patients
			 regarding professional services truthfully, accurately, and fully and should
			 avoid misleading patients regarding the nature, cost or value of these
			 professional services.
(j) A
			 pharmacist and a pharmacy should never offer or participate in the offering a
			 financial award or benefit, not related to competitive retail pricing of any
			 drug, to induce or encourage any individual to transfer a prescription from one
			 pharmacy to another.