| Abstrak/Abstract |
Pharmacists are often faced situations that contradicted to the pharmacy code of ethics
profession. This study was designed to observe the types of ethical dilemmas that occur in community
pharmacies. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Yogyakarta province, Indonesia. A survey was run
in September to December 2019, during seminar meeting held by Indonesian Pharmacists Association
involving 225 community pharmacists. A self-administered validated questionnaire included four parts:
general characteristics of pharmacists, five scenarios on ethical issues, frequency in facing ethical problem, reasons why pharmacists compromise ethical problems. Data were collected, entered, and analyzed quantitatively using univariate analysis. Of 225 participants, the most frequent cases faced were that customer asks for an over-the-counter treatment that actually they did not really need (3.67 ± 1.56); the prescription states a specific brand of drug, but in stock was only generic available (3.43 ± 1.34); and patient asking for controlled medicines that tend to be mis-used (3.31 ± 1.32). Pharmacists’ reasons to compromise these issues were to satisfy patient’ expectation (45.33%), to respond doctor’s request (33.78%), secure their job (20%), and to meet target from employer (15.11%). This study revealed that need to improve public knowledge and awareness about the problem of drug use and the dangers of drugs for minimize the occurrence of ethical problems. Strengthening regulations about ethical issues is needed to assist pharmacists in decision-making and create a readiness for face problems related ethical dilemmas. On the other hand, promoting and training for pharmacists regarding code of ethics knowledge and awareness should be doing intensively. |
