Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad Pharm. D III Year PHARMACEUTICAL JURISPRUDENCE Previous Question Paper (July/August - 2021 - R08)

The professional ethics for a pharmacist in relation to their job are guided by the Code of Pharmaceutical Ethics, which emphasizes integrity, professional competence, and patient welfare. Key responsibilities include:

• Professional Vigilance: A pharmacist must ensure the accuracy of prescriptions, verify the identity of the patient, and check for potential drug interactions or contraindications before dispensing.
• Patient Counseling: It is the ethical duty of the pharmacist to provide clear instructions on the dosage, storage, and administration of medications, ensuring the patient understands the therapy to improve compliance.
• Confidentiality: Pharmacists must maintain strict confidentiality regarding patient medical history and personal information, disclosing it only when required by law or to authorized healthcare professionals.
• Professional Conduct: Pharmacists must avoid unethical practices such as substitution of drugs without physician consent, engaging in price wars, or soliciting business through unprofessional advertisements.
• Collaboration: Maintaining a professional relationship with other healthcare providers is essential to ensure a multidisciplinary approach to patient care and to prevent medication errors.

The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) is a statutory body constituted under the Pharmacy Act, 1948. Its constitution and functions are as follows:

Constitution: The PCI is reconstituted every five years and consists of elected and nominated members, including representatives from the University Grants Commission, the Medical Council of India, and state governments, along with members elected by the Pharmacy Council of each state and teachers of pharmacy subjects.

Functions:

• Education Regulation: The PCI prescribes the minimum standards of education required for qualification as a pharmacist, including the curriculum, duration of courses, and infrastructure requirements for pharmacy colleges.
• Approval of Institutions: It inspects and approves pharmacy institutions and courses of study to ensure they meet the prescribed standards.
• Maintenance of Register: The PCI maintains a central register of pharmacists, which contains the names and addresses of all registered pharmacists in India.
• Uniformity: It ensures uniformity in the training and education of pharmacists across the country to maintain high professional standards.
• Advisory Role: The council acts as an advisory body to the Central and State Governments on matters related to the regulation of the pharmacy profession.