Oath of a Pharmacist

Before I entered pharmacy school, I made a bookmark out of "the oath" and studied it. Perhaps I thought one day I would have to recite it from memory in order to graduate or something. More likely, I wondered what I was getting myself into. Well, after 4 years in pharmacy school and much thought and meditation on this concept of taking an oath to enter the profession of pharmacy, here we are. Graduation is just around the corner, and I'm thinking it's time to re-visit the oath...so here it is...we're back at the very beginning of my entry into the world of a pharmacy profession that was previously foreign to me...is this what it will really be like? Do these words really mean anything? And do they mean anything to anyone but me? Likely the second question doesn't matter much, if I've really embraced "the oath!"

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 apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal outcomes for my patients.
• I will respect and protect all personal and health information entrusted to me.
• I will accept the lifelong obligation to improve my professional knowledge and competence.
• 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.”

The revised Oath was adopted by the AACP House of Delegates in July 2007 and has been approved by the American Pharmacists Association. AACP member institutions should plan to use the revised Oath of a Pharmacist during the 2008-09 academic year and with spring 2009 graduates.