History Of American Pharmacists Association (Apha) Code Of Ethics And Conduct

Developer(S)

The code of ethics that is followed by APhA as a professional body was formulated by professionals in the pharmacy industry to provide guidance in the sensitive health issues that they encountered. Initially the code was developed by the Pharmaceutical Association in 1852 which was later transformed into the American Pharmacists Association. Prior to the development of the regulatory element that the code introduced into the industry, there were several loopholes in the manner in which pharmacists handled their patients. The developers of the code were among the concerned professionals who found it wise to introduce some normalcy in their practice and responsibility over the patients.

Place of Origin

Apparently, the APhA code of Ethics was developed in the United States within the context of solving an American problem that faced the industry. However, the code did not propose certain discriminatory treatment of individuals who sought pharmacy assistance. Philadelphia hosted the inception convention that established the association that developed the code. It was later possible to relocate the headquarters to Washing DC in 1934 after the procurement of the piece of land on which it is situated in National Mall (APhA, 2011).

Evolution of the APhA Code of Conduct

There are many changes that were necessary to be incorporated into the code that became operational after the inception of the Pharmaceutical Association in 1852. As medical care advanced to embrace an increased demand, the code of ethics had to be modified to be more receptive to the emerging changes (McCarthy and Schfermeyer, 2004). Perhaps the most striking feature of the code is that it is the only code that regulates the conduct of professional pharmacists for the entire period of time since its development. It is therefore expected that the changes witnessed in the profession, human civilization and the environment of practice must have changed the face of the presenting challenges that the 19th Century profession had. Some of the changes include depicting this evolution include the following among many others;

The 1852 version had an allowance of errors in making prescription due to the paternalist attitude applied in the phrasing of the code (APhA, 1865)

The version of the document a century later (1952) had a list of the responsibilities that the pharmacists have in their practice (APhA, 1952) although much changes were introduced later to constitute the modern version

The 1969 version had been constricted to highlight major pharmacy issues of ethical conduct concerns. It also had gender neutrality in its phrasing

1996 version of the code had more specific responsibilities (APhA, 1995)

Enforcement of Professional Codes of Ethics or Codes of Conduct

Enforcement

APhA code of ethics is enforced by various stakeholders in the health care system, particularly pharmacy affiliate professional bodies in the US as well as across the world. It is also enforced and administered through various government agencies that recognize the code of conduct as a tool for the protection of public health. Professional bodies that license and accredit pharmacists are important players in the enforcement of the code regulations.

Processes/Procedures Used to Enforce and Resolve Disputes or Violations

The most appropriate process of ensuring that the profession remains guided by the code is the requirement of appropriate accreditation of practitioners in the industry by the recognized pharmacy body or board. Procedures of enforcement include supervision and monitoring of the industry players to ensure compliance. There are elaborate methods of handling disputed operations in the industry with fines and other sanctions being indicated by the various pharmacy bodies under the umbrella leadership of APhA (McCarthy and Schfermeyer, 2004). In cases where there are grave concerns of violation of the code of conduct, stern punitive measures within the profession may also be considered such as excommunication or prosecution before the law which highly considers laid out regulations of the code.

Consequences of Violations

Violation of the code of conduct may attract a range of punitive disciplinary actions which vary from warnings, fines, sanctions, excommunication to prosecution. In terms of prosecution guidance that the state has over the control of pharmaceutical industry, the code becomes a very important policy area of consideration in decision making. Legal considerations in dealing with the errant behavior of pharmacists caught in the violation of the professional code of conduct are heavily dependent on the laid down provisions of the code. It therefore implies that there several consequences from within and outside the industry, which can end up in the termination of the career of professional pharmacists (McCarthy and Schfermeyer, 2004).

References

APhA. (1865)” Code of Ethics of the American Pharmaceutical Association. In Proceedings of the National Pharmaceutical Convention, Held at Philadelphia, October 6th, 1852 (2nd ed., unaltered, pp. 24–26),” Philadelphia, PA: Merrihew and Son, Printer.

APhA. (1952) “Code of Ethics of the American Pharmaceutical Association,” Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association, 13(10):721–723.

APhA. (1995) “Code of ethics for pharmacists. American Pharmaceutical Association. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 52:2131.

APhA. (2011) “The American Pharmacists Association: A short History,” Retrieved from: HYPERLINK “http://www.pharmacist.com/Content/NavigationMenu3/AboutAPha/History/APhA_History.htm” http://www.pharmacist.com/Content/NavigationMenu3/AboutAPha/History/APhA_History.htm

McCarthy, R. L. & Schfermeyer, K. W. (2004) Introduction to health care delivery: a primer for pharmacists. Jones & Barlett Learning