Ethical principles and codes of ethics

Chiang finishes the remaining 3 ethical principles, before covering the code of ethics.

Key points

Issues related to nonmaleficence:

• Withholding or withdrawing treatment.

• Assisting suicide or leaving patients to die.

• Foreseen but unintended effects.

• Benefit and risk assessment.

Issues related to beneficence:

• Paternalism vs patient autonomy.

• Benefit-risk assessments.

• Cost of treatments.

• Quality of life assessment.

Issues related to justice:

• Health care resource allocation.

Using these ethical principles, different healthcare profession can establish unique codes of ethics.

Usually enforced by a professional group:

• American Pharmacists (Pharmaceutical) Association

• Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain

• The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)

• Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations (FAPA)

• Taiwan Pharmacist Association

Share and learn

Which organization sets the codes of ethics in your country/hospital?