Oath of a Pharmacist

The revised oath was adopted by the AACP Board of Directors and the APhA Board of Trustees in November 2021.

"I promise to devote myself to a lifetime of service to others through the profession of pharmacy. In fulfilling this vow:

• I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering my primary concerns.
• I will promote inclusion, embrace diversity, and advocate for justice to advance health equity.
• I will apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal outcomes for all patients.
• I will respect and protect all personal and health information entrusted to me.
• I will accept the responsibility to improve my professional knowledge, expertise, and self-awareness.
• I will hold myself and my colleagues to the highest principles of our profession's moral, ethical, and legal conduct.
• I will embrace and advocate changes that improve patient care.
• I will utilize my knowledge, skills, experiences, and values to fulfill my obligation to educate and train the next generation of pharmacists.

I take these vows voluntarily with the full realization of the responsibility with which I am entrusted by the public.”

Professional Code of Conduct

Students are expected to learn and apply scientific methods and achieve self-discipline which is essential to fulfill the obligations of an educated health professional. It should therefore be the ideal, the resolve, and the duty of all students who are desirous of becoming health professionals to conduct themselves as exemplary students and citizens with dignity, propriety, and the proper decorum that will at all times characterize them and our student body as suited to be health care professionals.

All members of the MBKU academic community are expected to conduct themselves with the highest integrity and to display ethical and professional behaviors at all times. The academic environment should foster conditions that are conducive to the full pursuit of knowledge and learning. The patient care environment should offer conditions favorable to the optimal delivery of health care services.

Standards of Dress

COP Dress Code

Patients trust that pharmacists will act responsibly and that they will assume responsibility for what they say, what they do, and how they dress. Professional etiquette embodies how the student presents themselves: through the student's actions, the student's words, and how the student dresses. Students are required to maintain a neat and clean appearance and dress in attire that is accepted as professional. Most of the time the dress code will be business casual, however, students shall adhere to a dress code consistent with institutional or site-specific standards as requested. The students are expected to be in attire that is clean, free of patches and holes at all times, and in overall satisfactory condition.

Identification badges are provided and must be worn at all times while on any MBKU campus.

Casual dress such as tank tops, halters, track/jogging suits sweats and hats are not to be worn in the classrooms. Garments with words or illustrations which are obscene, offensive, or unprofessional are not allowed. Footwear is required at all times and appropriate for the learning and health care environment. Flip-flops and sandals are not appropriate. Cut-offs, revealing attire, and ripped fashions are not allowed.

Students should avoid extremes in hairstyles, cosmetics, and jewelry. All hair including beards and mustaches must be clean and neatly trimmed at all times. Any styles that pose a distraction or hazard to the learning environment or deter from patient care are prohibited.

Students are expected to model health care practices of good hygiene and comply with regular personal hygiene practices.

PROFESSIONAL DRESS

Some courses, events, locations, and or activities will require professional dress. Students will be notified of these expectations. Appropriate attire for women would be a dress or a blouse with skirt/slacks. Suggested wear for men is shirt, tie, and slacks. A coat or suit is not required for men or women unless specifically requested.

White coats must be worn at special events and in all clinical settings.

Name badges must be worn at all times on rotations. Students must dress professionally throughout the duration of every clinical rotation/assignment unless the preceptor of that rotation/assignment directs otherwise.

Compliance

As a student pharmacist, you represent the profession and the University. A student’s failure to follow any professional standards; including dress code, reflects negatively on them as a future Pharmacist, the Profession, and MBKU.

Faculty are encouraged to speak with students about failure to follow the dress code in a professional manner and to seek assistance from the Assistant Dean of Student Services for additional discussions that would be better suited for a private meeting. Those requesting exceptions to the dress code should be brought to the attention of the Director of Admissions and Student Services and an exception may be requested from the Dean.

Electronic Devices

It is the expectation that students will silence all cell phones and any other electronic device capable of making noise during class time. If the course activity requires using a computer, laptop, or other necessary learning devices please place the sound on mute or silent. If the device disrupts class, the owner will be asked to leave the classroom.

Email Policy

COP will communicate with you using your official University email address. It is University policy for students to regularly check their university email and to use them for university business in order to ensure the student receives all College communication.

The students should check their emails at least daily.

COP provides an email template as approved by the University. All student pharmacists are expected to use email communications in a professional manner with proper formatting.

The signature line in student emails is to be created with the following approved and consistent format:

First Name Last Name
Student Pharmacist
Class of 20##

Marshall B. Ketchum University
College of Pharmacy
2575 Yorba Linda Blvd.
Fullerton, CA 92831
P 555.555.5555 | www.ketchum.edu

Active Learning Devices

It is the expectation that students will participate in active learning throughout the program. Class active participation may include, but not be limited to the use of electronic devices for the use of engaging in educational activities. Examples of activities not associated with educational instruction includes: (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, surfing the internet, shopping, playing games, etc.)

Code of Ethics

American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Code of Ethics¹

Preamble: Pharmacists are health professionals who assist individuals in making the best use of medications. This Code, prepared and supported by pharmacists, is intended to state publicly the principles that form the fundamental basis of the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists. These principles, based on moral obligations and virtues, are established to guide pharmacists in relationships with patients, health professionals, and society.

1. A pharmacist respects the covenantal relationship between the patient and pharmacist. Considering the patient-pharmacist relationship as a covenant means that a pharmacist has the moral obligations in response to the gift of trust received from society. In return for this gift, a pharmacist promises to help individuals achieve optimum benefit from their medications, to be committed to their welfare, and to maintain their trust.
2. A pharmacist promotes the good of every patient in a caring, compassionate, and confidential manner. A pharmacist places concern for the well-being of the patient at the center of professional practice. In doing so, a pharmacist considers needs stated by the patient as well as those defined by health science. A pharmacist is dedicated to protecting the dignity of the patient. With a caring attitude and a compassionate spirit, a pharmacist focuses on serving the patient in a private and confidential manner.
3. A pharmacist respects the autonomy and dignity of each patient. A pharmacist promotes the right of self-determination and recognizes individual self-worth by encouraging patients to participate in decisions about their health. A pharmacist communicates with patients in terms that are understandable. In all cases, a pharmacist respects personal and cultural differences among patients.
4. A pharmacist acts with honesty and integrity in professional relationships. A pharmacist has a duty to tell the truth and to act with conviction of conscience. A pharmacist avoids discriminatory practices, behavior, or work conditions that impair professional judgment, and actions that compromise dedication to the best interest of patients.
5. A pharmacist maintains professional competence. A pharmacist has a duty to maintain knowledge and abilities as new medications, devices, and technologies become available and as health information advances.
6. A pharmacist respects the values and abilities of colleagues and other health professionals. When appropriate, a pharmacist asks for the consultation of colleagues or other health professionals or refers the patient. A pharmacist acknowledges that colleagues and other health professionals may differ in the beliefs and values they apply to the care of the patient.
7. A pharmacist serves individual, community, and societal needs. The primary obligation of a pharmacist is to individual patients. However, the obligations of a pharmacist may at times extend beyond the individual to the community and society. In these situations, the pharmacist recognizes the responsibilities that accompany these obligations and acts accordingly.
8. A pharmacist seeks justice in the distribution of health resources. When health resources are allocated, a pharmacist is fair and equitable, balancing the needs of patients and society.

¹

Adopted by the membership of the APhA, October 27, 1994.

Pledge of Professionalism

As a student of pharmacy, I believe there is a need to build and reinforce a professional identity founded on integrity, ethical behavior, and honor. This development, a vital process in my education, will help ensure that I am true to the professional relationship I establish between myself and society as I become a member of the pharmacy community. Integrity must be an essential part of my everyday life and I must practice pharmacy with honesty and commitment to service.

To accomplish this goal of professional development, I as a student of pharmacy should:

Develop a sense of loyalty and duty to the profession of pharmacy by being a builder of community, one able and willing to contribute to the well-being of others and one who enthusiastically accepts the responsibility and accountability for membership in the profession.

Foster professional competency through life-long learning. I must strive for high ideals, teamwork and unity within the profession in order to provide optimal patient care.

Support my colleagues by actively encouraging personal commitment to the Oath of Maimonides and a Code of Ethics as set forth by the profession.

Incorporate into my life and practice, dedication to excellence. This will require an ongoing reassessment of personal and professional values.

Maintain the highest ideals and professional attributes to ensure and facilitate the covenantal relationship required of the pharmaceutical care giver.

The profession of pharmacy is one that demands adherence to a set of rigid ethical standards. These high ideals are necessary to ensure the quality of care extended to the patients I serve. As a student of pharmacy, I believe this does not start with graduation; rather, it begins with my membership in this professional college community. Therefore, I must strive to uphold these standards as I advance toward full membership in the profession of pharmacy.

Developed by the APhA Academy of Student Pharmacists/American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Council of Deans (APhA-ASP/AACP- COD) Task Force on Professionalism; June 26, 1994.

Student Signature

By my signature below, I acknowledge that I have read, understand and agree to abide by the principles described in the COP Student Handbook.

Furthermore, my signature acknowledges the understanding COP at MBKU accreditation progress as stated:

The MBKU COP’s Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the:

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
190 South LaSalle Street, Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60603
312/644-3575
FAX 866/228-2631
web site www.acpe-accredit.org.

A signed copy of this document will be retained in the student's file.

Printed Student Name:
Signature:
Date: