The new Code of Ethics of the Pharmacist of the Republic of Poland will soon come into force

The code comes into force on March 13, 2024.

Name change

The first change is editorial and legislative in nature, however, it is very important, because it consists in explicitly addressing the provisions of the Code of Ethics to all pharmacists, and not only to pharmacists, i.e., those who practice the profession of pharmacist in a pharmacy, pharmacy point, hospital pharmacy department or pharmaceutical wholesaler. The title "Code of Ethics of a Pharmacist of the Republic of Poland", is to be replaced by the title "Code of Ethics of a Pharmacist of the Republic of Poland".

Independence and self-reliance

Experience in the activities of the self-government of the pharmacy profession, especially those acquired in the recent period, has highlighted the need for changes to strengthen the independence and autonomy of the pharmacy profession, as a profession of public trust. Although the provisions of the Code of Ethics in many places more or less directly touch on the issue of independence, the essential regulation in this regard is the provisions.

Given the priority of professional independence, a pharmacist will be obliged to inform his or her self-government of any attempt to restrict the freedom or independence of the profession.

The purpose of the changes introduced in Article 3 of the Code of Ethics is to guarantee the independence of the pharmacist profession, to eliminate any influence, including that which may affect the quality and safety of work for the benefit of patients. A pharmacist, in order to properly perform his work and fulfill his professional duties, must have full freedom of action. The pharmacist's independence in decision-making is a guarantee of safety for the patient using the pharmacist's services. The pharmacist's independence is also linked to the characteristics of a profession of public trust, such as fulfilling a social mission, observing deontological rules, maintaining professional secrecy, building trust in the relationship with the patient and bearing professional responsibility.

Patient

The challenges facing the pharmacist today have also made it necessary to supplement the provisions in the specific section of the Code of Ethics in the chapter "The Pharmacist to the Patient."

The provision of paragraph 2a 9 relates directly to the pharmacist's contact with the patient and has to do with the activity of recommending a medicinal product, medical device, medical device equipment, foodstuff for special nutritional use or dietary supplement to the patient. In performing the indicated activities - as is clear from the proposed standard - the pharmacist is guided by current knowledge, the criterion of efficacy and safety of the recommended product, and the specific choice or recommendation of the pharmacist must not be for the sake of anyone's benefit.

The provision of paragraph 2b in Article 7 of the Code of Ethics unequivocally states that it is not desirable, good, moral and right for a pharmacist to impose his services or benefits and to obtain patients in a manner that is inconsistent with the principles of ethics and deontology and the principles of loyalty to other members of the self-governing pharmacy profession.

Professional secrecy

In contrast, more broadly than the current provision, the proposed amendment indicates that the maintenance of confidentiality also applies to the pharmacist after the patient's death. In addition, the current Article 10 very precisely defines in which cases a pharmacist is exempted from professional secrecy.

Research and copyright

Article 16a deals with the attitude of a pharmacist when conducting scientific research. In this regard, the provision refers to the observance of the rules of the experiment being conducted and to the fair presentation of the results and formulation of conclusions. Another paragraph of this article sensitizes the pharmacist to the need to respect copyright.

Advertising

A very important change concerns advertising and is contained in Article 19 of the Code of Ethics. The added paragraph 1a is an adaptation of the Code of Ethics to the changes introduced by the Law on the Pharmaceutical Profession with regard to new professional activities of pharmacists, particularly those performed outside pharmacies.

The previously existing general rule stipulating that a pharmacist does not advertise himself or his services has been clarified by indicating what information provided by a pharmacist practicing outside a pharmacy does not constitute advertising. Paragraph 1b, added in Article 19, introduces a general prohibition on participating in advertising that could violate the dignity of the pharmacist's profession or undermine confidence in the profession. It will be prohibited for a pharmacist to advertise medicinal products, medical devices, dietary supplements, as well as food for special purposes.

"The performance of professional activities free of charge by a pharmacist may not combine with advertising of the entity conducting the activity in which the activity is performed."

Code: TU

Source: NIA