The online Code of Ethics Educational Tutorial, which can be accessed by any computer 24/7, has been divided into 4 modules and should take approximately two hours, in total, to complete.  The first module is a foundational introduction called Understanding Our Role and Commitment as Regulated Healthcare Professionals.  The second, titled Overview of the Code of Ethics, is a comprehensive overview of the document itself with the third module focused exclusively on the Conflict of Interest Standards.  The final module introduces the Model for Ethical Decision Making and uses a hypothetical video scenario to illustrate how to apply the decision making tool in practice.

All registrants are required to complete all four modules before May 31, 2012. In order to declare that you have completed and understood this information, you are required to print, sign and date a copy of the Declaration of Completion (with Pharmacy Oath), which is linked to the end of Module 4. This declaration is to be retained at your primary place of work and available for review upon request (note: you are not required to forward a copy to the College office).

All four modules are now available: 

• Intro and Module 1: Our Role and Commitment as Regulated Healthcare Professionals
• Module 2: Overview of the Code of Ethics
• Module 3: Conflict of Interest Standards
• Module 4: Model for Ethical Decision Making

 Note:  This learning is applicable and may be used towards your annual Continuing Education requirements of the College's Professional Development and Assessment Program (PDAP).   

If you are having issues viewing or hearing this presentation after the installation of Adobe Presenter on your computer, a video capture of the presentation is available [intro and module 1, module 2, module 3, module 4]. Please note that these files lack much of the functionality of the Adobe Presenter format and you will not be able to click on embedded links. This format is, however, viewable on iPad and mobile phones. 

Background

The College's Code of Ethics, which had not been updated for over 15 years, was recently revised to; reflect enhancements to pharmacists' scope of practice, be inclusive of pharmacy technicians and to ensure that College standards, with respect to professional and ethical conduct, is supportive of pharmacy practice today.

With this goal in mind the revised documents were developed over many months through a comprehensive consultative process led by a Board supported task group, which included an ethicist and involved gathering and incorporating feedback from a wide spectrum of stakeholders.  Central to which were practising pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in both community and hospital practice.

As the Code is an integral part of pharmacy legislation, following College Board approval the revised documents were submitted to the Ministry of Health for final approval.  That approval was received in the Spring of 2011 and as such the Code of Ethics and it's companion documents which constitute Schedule A to the College bylaws, are now in effect and can be found on the College website, click here. 

Although there are not significant changes from the previous Code of Ethics, these revised documents provide a broader ethical foundation and greater clarity for registrants and include, for the first time, a document dedicated to Conflict of Interest, a Model for Ethical Decision Making and a Pharmacy Oath. In an effort to assist current practitioners in understanding and applying this revised legislation, the College Board approved the development of the online Code of Ethics Educational Tutorial which all registrants are required to complete.