The document outlines the code of pharmaceutical ethics presented to guide pharmacists in India. It discusses how pharmacists should conduct themselves in relation to their job, trade, profession, and the medical profession. The code of ethics establishes guidelines for pharmacists regarding professional conduct, prescriptions, drug quality, practical training, advertising, and their relationships with other pharmacists and medical professionals. The goal is to ensure ethical and competent practice that prioritizes patient health and maintains trust in the pharmacy profession.

1. CODE OF
PHARMACEUTICAL ETHICS
PRESENTED BY:- MISS.
GAYATRI K. BAHATKAR
ASST.PROFESSOR,
P.R.PATIL INSTITUTE OF
PHARMACY TALEGAON (SP)

2. INTRODUCTION
The code of pharmaceutical ethics is formulated by
PCI for the guidance of Indian pharmacist. The code
of pharmaceutical ethics help to guide the pharmacist
as to how he should conduct himself in relation to :
His job
His trade
His profession {Pharmacy}
medical profession

3. Students in professional education must become
competent in their profession. So he must be able to
place his skills within the context of society. Every
professional practitioner needs social understanding
to do his work well. Professional competence and
ethical behavior are necessary for practice any
profession. Professions would be lost without their
ethical codes.
Therefore, it is the duty of all those involved in
pharmacy field to be sure that the pharmacist in
training knows the standards of professional conduct
(code of ethics) and understands that deviation from
those standards cannot maintain the status of
pharmacy profession. Pharmacy being a profession,

4. This profession is associated with medical profession in
the responsible duties of preserving the public health. It
also deals with dispensing the useful and some times
useful and dangerous agents to cure the disease.
Therefore, the members of pharmacy profession should
be united on some general principles to be observed in
their several relations to each other, to medical
profession and to the public. Professional ethics for
pharmacy are necessary in the public interest to ensure
an efficient pharmaceutical service.
Pharmacy Council of India has formulated the code of
ethics for the guidance of pharmacists. Such code of
ethics covers the rules or the principles to be observed by
the pharmacist while dealing himself with his job, his
patrons and the public, his fellow pharmacists and the

5. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Standards of professional conduct for pharmacy profession
are necessary in the public interest to ensure an efficient
pharmaceutical service. In addition to give such service, the
pharmacist should also avoid any objectionable acts or
omissions. The pharmacist should maintain good social
career and have an attitude of service and sacrifice in the
interests of the suffering humanity.
In handling, selling, distributing and dispensing of medical
substances, including poisons and potent drugs, a pharmacist
along with the members of medical profession is responsible
for safeguarding the health of the public.
The pharmacist should at all times be ready to assist
colleagues with information or Advice.
The pharmacist should recognize their responsibilities and
fulfil professional obligations honourably and with due regard

6. PHARMACIST IN RELATION TO HIS JOB
Pharmaceutical Services:
A pharmacist should provide efficient and reasonably comprehensive
pharmaceutical services through the medical store or pharmacy.
Such services include supply of commonly required medicines without
undue delay and furnishing the emergency supply at all times.
Pharmacy/Drug Store:
1. In every pharmacy/Drug store, there should be a qualified pharmacist
to have Personal control over the pharmacy. The pharmacist shall be
primarily responsible For the observance of proper standards of conduct
in connection with it.
2. A pharmacy should be planned in such a way that there is no
accidental contamination in the preparation, dispensing and supply of
medicines.
3. The appearance of the premises should reflect the professional
character of Pharmacy and indicate to the public that the practice of

7. PRESCRIPTIONS:
Prescriptions presented for dispensing should not be discussed
with patients others regarding the merits and demerits of their
therapeutic efficiency. Or
After receiving the prescriptions, a pharmacist should not even
show any expression on his face so that the patients will lose
their faith in the physicians or prescribers.
No addition, omission, or substitution of ingredients in a
prescription should be made without the consent of prescriber
or physician whenever possible except in an Emergency.
In case of any obvious error in the prescription, it should be
referred back to the Prescriber for necessary correction or
approval of the change suggested.
If at all the change in the prescription is necessary in the interest
of health of patient, it should not affect the reputation of the
physician or prescriber.

8. Drugs/Ingredients:
While dispensing the prescription, the ingredients or drugs
must be weighed or measured correctly as the case may be
by scales or measures.
Pharmacist should always use drugs and medicinal
preparations of standard quality,
Drugs or medicine likely to cause addiction or other form of
abuse should not be supplied when there is reason to
suppose that it is required for such purpose.
Practical Training:
While imparting practical training the in charge pharmacist
should see that the trainees acquire sufficient technique and
skill.
No certificate should be granted to the trainee pharmacist
before completion of prescribed period for training or

9. PHARMACIST IN RELATION TO HIS
TRADE
Price Structure:
Prices of drugs and medicinal preparations charged from the
customers should be fair and including dispensing and
compounding charges without unduly taxing the purchaser.
Fair Trade Practice:
A pharmacist should not make any attempt to capture the
business of fellow pharmacist by unhealthy competition or
cut-throat competitions, that is by offering reduced price,
gifts, prizes etc.
Trade marks, labels, symbols or any other signs of other
pharmacists should not be Copied or imitated.
Drugs or other ingredients required, should always be
purchased from reputable sources.

10. Hawking of Drugs and Other:
Hawking of drugs and medicines should not be
practiced and any attempt should not be made to
collect the orders from door to door.
Self servicing method in the pharmacy or drug
stores should not be allowed as it would encourage
self medication which is undesirable and dangerous.

11. ADVERTISEMENT AND DISPLAY:
There should not be any display or advertisement on the
premises, in the news paper or elsewhere regarding the
abilities and services provided by the pharmacy.
The pharmacist should not make such advertisements which
contain:
(i) Misleading or exaggerated statements or claims.
(ii) A guarantee of therapeutic efficacy.
(ii) An offer to refund money paid.
(iv) An appeal to fear.
(v) The word ‘cure’ in reference to an ailment or symptoms
of ill-health.

12. PHARMACIST IN RELATION TO MEDICAL
PROFESSION
A pharmacist, under no circumstances, should practice medicine, that
is diagnosing diseases and prescribing medicines. However, in case of
accidents or emergencies, he may render first aid services.
A pharmacist should not recommend any particular medical
practitioner, unless Specially asked for.
Pharmacist should never enter into any secrete agreements with the
medical profession, physicians, dentist, veterinary surgeons to offer
them commission or gifts by recommending his dispensary or drug
store.
Pharmacist is a link between medical profession and public. He should
be constantly in touch with modern development in pharmacy and allied
fields. He should be expert in the field of pharmacy so that he may
advice the physicians on pharmaceutical matters. By enlarging his store
of knowledge he may be able to educate the public to maintain their
health.

13. PHARMACIST IN RELATION TO HIS
PROFESSION
A pharmacist should observe the law and ethical principles to
maintain the standard of the profession.
A pharmacist should extend the help and co-operation to his
fellow pharmacist in an emergency legitimate needs.
A pharmacist should try to weed out the undesirable corrupt or
dishonest conduct Of the member of his profession maintaining its
status in society.
A pharmacist should have a fair knowledge of laws of the state
and nation pertaining to food, drug, pharmacy education, health
etc.
A pharmacist should have up to date knowledge of professional
matters. He should associate himself with various pharmaceutical
organizations, the aims and objects of which are compatible with
this code of ethics.
A pharmacist should not perform such acts which will bring