Oral Presentation Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law Conference

A scoping review of Pharmacy Ethics (1905)

Keegan Lin 1 2 , Lalit Krishna 1 3
  1. Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
  2. Pharmacy, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
  3. Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore

 

Purpose:

This presentation synthesises findings from a scoping review that systematically mapped the evolution of pharmacy ethics (PE) over the past five decades. The study aimed to characterise key ethical challenges in contemporary pharmacy practice and explore solutions to support ethical decision-making. 

 

Nature and Scope:

Employing a Systematic Scoping Review (SSR) guided by the Systematic Evidence-Based Approach (SEBA), the study analysed English-language articles (1971–2023) from five major databases. The review focused exclusively on pharmacists and PE, excluding other healthcare professionals and industry-related ethics. Methodological rigour was ensured through independent thematic and directed content analysis, synthesis via the Jigsaw Perspective, and expert consultation. 

 

Key Issues:

From 7,666 screened abstracts, 169 articles met inclusion criteria. Four major themes emerged: 

  1. Ethics Education: Gaps in training were identified, with calls for longitudinal, case-based curricula and standardised competency assessments.
  2. Professional Relationships: Challenges included interprofessional collaboration and power dynamics in clinical decision-making.
  3. Conscientious Objection: Conflicts arose between personal beliefs and professional duties, particularly in reproductive health and pain management.
  4. Financial Tensions: Dual roles as healthcare providers and business operators led to ethical dilemmas, including commercial pressures affecting patient care.

 

Outcomes and Conclusions:

The review underscores the multifaceted ethical challenges in pharmacy practice. As pharmacists’ roles expand, reforms in ethics education, clearer professional guidelines, and supportive policies are urgently needed. Future research should develop evidence-based frameworks to navigate these dilemmas while prioritising patient-centred care. Addressing these ethical dimensions is critical to ensuring optimal patient outcomes and professional satisfaction in an evolving healthcare landscape.