PRACTICE ADVANCEMENT
PHARMACY ORGANIZATIONS UPDATE OATH OF A PHARMACIST From the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), www.pharmacist.com/APhA-Press-Releases The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Board of Directors and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Board of Trustees have approved updates to the profession’s Oath of a Pharmacist to incorporate contemporary language and address diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism. The updates were recommended by a joint AACP and APhA Oath Revision Steering Committee and approved by the boards of AACP and APhA at their respective November 2021 meetings. “The joint committee led a critical charge of boldly expanding our professional oath to include the necessary elements of equity, inclusion, and diversity. The revised oath challenges all pharmacists to take an active responsibility in promoting health equity and commit to being change agents in the system of pharmacy practice and beyond,” said Lakesha M. Butler, PharmD, CDFT, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy. The Oath of a Pharmacist was first developed in 1983 by the AACP Board of Directors and revised in 1994 and 2007 by the joint APhA Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA–ASP) and AACP Council of Deans Task Force on Professionalism. The 2021 Oath Revision Steering Committee conducted several joint sessions from June to October to review and discuss the oath. In addition, the committee developed and conducted a survey and town hall meetings for faculty members, student pharmacists, and pharmacists to address concerns. "The Oath of a Pharmacist’s intent is to be both a fluid and long-lasting representation of pharmacists and student pharmacists’ dedication toward our profession and patients. Our collective efforts in recognizing and leading these efforts is a proud moment for the entire profession," said Juan Rodriguez, APhA–ASP National President and student pharmacist at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy. The newly revised Oath of a Pharmacist should be utilized for all Spring 2022 pharmacy commencement ceremonies.
OATH OF A PHARMACIST I promise to devote myself to a lifetime of service to others through the profession of pharmacy. In fulfilling this vow: I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering my primary concerns. I will promote inclusion, embrace diversity, and advocate for justice to advance health equity. I will apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal outcomes for all patients. I will respect and protect all personal and health information entrusted to me. I will accept the responsibility to improve my professional knowledge, expertise, and self-awareness. I will hold myself and my colleagues to the highest principles of our profession’s moral, ethical and legal conduct. I will embrace and advocate changes that improve patient care. I will utilize my knowledge, skills, experiences, and values to prepare the next generation of pharmacists. I take these vows voluntarily with the full realization of the responsibility with which I am entrusted by the public.
10
| The Journal of the Iowa Pharmacy Association
