Pharmacy Ethics in Pharmacy 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A pharmacist fills a prescription for a drug the patient is clearly allergic to. The prescriber says 'just fill it, I know what I'm doing.' What should the pharmacist do?
- Fill it — the prescriber bears sole responsibility
- Refuse to fill and document the clinical reason, contacting the prescriber to discuss a safe alternative (Correct answer)
- Fill it but warn the patient verbally
- Transfer the prescription to another pharmacy
Correct answer: Refuse to fill and document the clinical reason, contacting the prescriber to discuss a safe alternative
Pharmacists retain independent professional responsibility for patient safety and must refuse to dispense medications that pose a clear danger.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes 'conscientious objection' in pharmacy practice?
- Refusing to fill any controlled substances
- Declining to dispense a legal medication due to personal moral or religious beliefs (Correct answer)
- Objecting to a patient's lifestyle choices during counseling
- Refusing to work overtime shifts
Correct answer: Declining to dispense a legal medication due to personal moral or religious beliefs
Conscientious objection refers to a pharmacist declining to participate in a legal activity due to deeply held personal, moral, or religious convictions.
Question 3: When a pharmacist exercises conscientious objection, what is their primary ethical obligation to the patient?
- No obligation — their personal beliefs override patient needs
- Ensure the patient can access the medication through another provider or referral (Correct answer)
- Lecture the patient on why the medication is morally wrong
- Report the patient to the prescriber
Correct answer: Ensure the patient can access the medication through another provider or referral
Even when exercising conscientious objection, pharmacists must ensure continuity of care by facilitating the patient's access to needed medications.
Question 4: A pharmacist discovers that a colleague is diverting controlled substances for personal use. The most ethical course of action is to:
- Cover for the colleague to protect their career
- Confront the colleague privately and give them a chance to stop
- Report to pharmacy management and the state board of pharmacy (Correct answer)
- Only act if patient harm has already occurred
Correct answer: Report to pharmacy management and the state board of pharmacy
Drug diversion is a serious crime that endangers patients and must be reported to supervisors and regulatory authorities regardless of personal relationships.
Question 5: The concept of 'pharmaceutical care' ethically shifts the pharmacist's role to:
- Focusing solely on accurate dispensing of medications
- Taking responsibility for patient drug therapy outcomes (Correct answer)
- Maximizing pharmacy revenue through high prescription volume
- Deferring all clinical decisions to physicians
Correct answer: Taking responsibility for patient drug therapy outcomes
Pharmaceutical care holds pharmacists responsible for optimizing drug therapy outcomes and improving patients' quality of life.
Question 6: A patient's legal guardian requests medication information about an adult patient who has been declared incompetent. The pharmacist should:
- Refuse all requests from third parties
- Verify legal guardianship documentation before sharing protected health information (Correct answer)
- Share information freely since family members always have access
- Require a court order before any disclosure
Correct answer: Verify legal guardianship documentation before sharing protected health information
Pharmacists must verify legal authority before disclosing PHI to third parties, including guardians, to comply with HIPAA.
Question 7: An elderly patient consistently picks up twice the prescribed quantity of opioids. After investigating, you confirm the patient is stockpiling. Your ethical response is to:
- Continue dispensing — patients have autonomy over their medications
- Alert the prescriber, counsel the patient on risks, and document your findings (Correct answer)
- Immediately call law enforcement
- Dispense single-dose packages only without discussing it with the patient
Correct answer: Alert the prescriber, counsel the patient on risks, and document your findings
Pharmacists must communicate safety concerns to prescribers and counsel patients while respecting autonomy within the limits of patient safety.
Pharmacy Ethics in Pharmacy 3
A pharmacist fills a prescription for a drug the patient is clearly allergic to.
The prescriber says 'just fill it, I know what I'm doing.' What should the pharmacist do?