Chapter V: Ethics

Pharmacists may not interfere with customers’ free choice of pharmacist. They must refrain from any act of unfair competition.

Pharmacists are prohibited from soliciting customers in any way that is contrary to the dignity of the profession.

Pharmacists holding elected or administrative office or honorary positions must not use them to increase their customer base.

In addition to those required by commercial or industrial legislation, the only information that pharmacists may include on their letterheads and business papers is : 1° Information which facilitates their relations with their customers or suppliers, such as: addresses, opening days and hours, telephone and fax numbers, cheque account numbers; 2° A statement of the various activities in which they engage; 3° Where applicable, the name or acronym of the…

Any act or agreement whose purpose or effect is to enable a pharmacist to take unfair advantage of a patient’s state of health is strictly prohibited as contrary to professional morality.

Pharmacists are prohibited from granting facilities to anyone engaged in the illegal practice of pharmacy, medicine or any other health profession.

Any competition between pharmacists and doctors, members of other health professions or any other persons is prohibited. Competition is understood to mean collusion between two or more persons with a view to obtaining advantages to the detriment of the patient or third parties.

Pharmacists must refrain from organising or participating in events relating to pharmacy or medical biology which do not meet scientific, technical or teaching objectives and which would provide them with material benefits, unless these are negligible.

Agreements relating to the payment of copyright or inventor’s rights are authorised. Subject to the provisions of article R. 4235-26, pharmacists may receive royalties for their contribution to the invention, study or development of medicinal products, medical devices, laboratory apparatus, techniques or methods. For such inventions, studies or developments, they may pay agreed royalties to persons to whom they are linked by contract or agreement.

Any information or advertising, where authorised, must be truthful, fair and formulated with tact and moderation.