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Ethics and Ethical Standards for Pharmacists

👥 0 students 📖 24 lessons & topics

Course Description

Ethical concerns such as consent, confidentiality, honesty, professional boundaries, and the duty of candour are common triggers for complaints and regulatory action in pharmacy practice. The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) expects pharmacists to act with integrity, prioritise patient safety, and maintain public confidence in the profession. This course provides clear, practical guidance on navigating ethical dilemmas, meeting GPhC expectations, and responding appropriately when concerns arise.

Who This Course Is For

This course is designed for pharmacists working in community, hospital, primary care, and specialist settings across NHS and independent sectors in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is particularly relevant for pharmacists facing complaints, investigations, fitness-to-practise proceedings, or remediation relating to ethical concerns.

What You Will Learn

The course covers core ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and confidentiality, the GPhC Standards for Pharmacy Professionals as applied in practice, informed consent and patient-centred decision-making, the duty of candour, accurate documentation and ethical record-keeping, professional boundaries including digital professionalism, and GPhC fitness-to-practise processes and regulatory outcomes.

What You Receive

On successful completion you receive a CPD UK accredited certificate and structured CPD evidence suitable for GPhC revalidation, appraisal, remediation portfolios, and regulatory submissions. The course is fully online and self-paced — accessible immediately after enrolment.

CPD UK CertifiedThis course is CPD UK certified. The accredited certificate issued on completion is accepted as evidence for GPhC revalidation, appraisal, and professional regulatory submissions.
Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. This course is CPD UK certified, and participants receive an accredited CPD certificate on successful completion.

Yes. The course provides structured CPD evidence suitable for GPhC revalidation, reflective entries, and professional portfolios.

Yes. This course is particularly suitable for pharmacists dealing with complaints, investigations, fitness-to-practise processes, or remediation relating to ethical concerns.

Yes. The course explains the duty of candour in pharmacy practice, including how to apologise appropriately and respond honestly when things go wrong.

Yes. The course is delivered fully online and can be completed at your own pace, with instant access immediately after enrolment.

Course Content

1

Section 1 – Overview of Healthcare Ethics

  • 1.1 What is Healthcare Ethics?

  • 1.2 Importance of Ethics in Pharmacy Profession

  • 1.3 Overview of the GPhC’s Role

2

Section 2 – Core Ethical Principles in Healthcare Practice

  • 2.1 Autonomy

  • 2.2 Beneficence and Non-Maleficence

  • 2.3 Justice

  • 2.4 Confidentiality

3

Section 3 – Professional Integrity and Honesty

  • 3.1 Maintaining Honesty and Integrity

  • 3.2 Duty of Candour

  • 3.3 Documentation and Record-Keeping

4

Section 4 – Patient-Centred Care and Shared Decision-Making

  • 4.1 Informed Consent

  • 4.2 Patient Communication

5

Section 5 – Professional Boundaries and Conduct

  • 5.1 Maintaining Appropriate Boundaries

  • 5.2 GPhC Guidance on Boundaries

6

Section 6 – Breach of Expected Ethical Standards

  • 6.1 Common Breaches

  • 6.2 Consequences of Breaching Ethical Standards

  • 6.3 GPhC’s Actions in Response to Breaches

  • 6.4 Steps Pharmacists Should Take to Remediate