PSA President Says Undermining of Pharmacists Ethics is Unfounded

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has responded to attacks on pharmacists integrity, calling them unfounded and unwarranted.
National president of the PSA,  Grant Kardachi, said the attacks contained erroneous, inaccurate and malicious implications which were hurtful to Australia’s 27,000 pharmacists who are committed to improving the health outcomes of all Australians.
“It is concerning to see an article published that could be perceived as an attack on the profession,” Mr Kardachi said. “Apart from factual errors and misinterpretation of facts, the article goes further and questions the ethics and commitment of pharmacists.”
“Pharmacists are the most accessible of all health professionals and in the highly regarded Readers Digest Most Trusted Profession survey pharmacists are consistently among the most highly trusted and respected of all health professionals,” Mr Kardachi said.
“The profession has a well-documented commitment to the wellbeing of consumers and this is underscored in the PSA Code of Ethics which code applies to every pharmacist irrespective of their role, scope, level or location of practice.
“Among the principles contained in the code is that pharmacists recognise the health and wellbeing of the consumer as their first priority and that pharmacists will utilise expert knowledge and provide care in a compassionate and professional manner. It also stresses that a pharmacist pays due respect for the autonomy and rights of consumers and encourages consumers to actively participate in decision-making.
“Pharmacists are members of a proud and highly respected profession and are righty offended by these attacks.
“But perhaps more importantly they fear that it may serve to undermine the strong relationship between consumers and their pharmacists and pharmacy staff. This is unacceptable.”