Seeing how a certain someone was inaugurated south of the border a few days ago, I see it fit to provide some commentary on a topic that is on all of our minds lately. Ethics. Mr. president’s first task was to find someone to play at his inauguration ceremony and he had a hell of a time lining up anyone recognizable.

Much has been said about our neighbour’s new president, and usually any conversation devolves into a debate about ethics or morality. Whether it’s mistreatment of minority groups, inappropriate comments about other countries, or wanton duplicity with the press and public, we’re left to wonder what to make of it all. Articles pop up every day suggesting that it’s only a matter of time before he’ll be shown the door. Here’s one now.  The Twitter-verse allows everyone to share their opinions, but it also difficult to have informed debate about anything, let alone politics, when back and forth occurs on a screen in the form of soundbite material.

The terms ethical and moral are often used interchangeably, and both refer to the age-old debate between the ideas of ‘good’ versus ‘evil’, ‘right’ versus ‘wrong’. Morals are more specific to an individual’s values, whereas ethics are more often than not based upon accepted societal norms and provided by a group to shape behavior. It is therefore possible for someone to have strong morals and do unethical things. On the other hand, there are folks that appear immoral that still follow the rules, especially if it results in personal gain.

Competition seems to bring out the worst in people. Sadly, this isn’t just during election season. In business (see above), in school (plagiarism), in sport (steroids), there are always those willing to bend the rules to gain an advantage over others. Even pharmacy is not immune. Questionable incentive programs surface from time to time, as do deceitful billing practices that are uncovered during audits. As pharmacists, sometimes for all the positives we bring to the table gets clouded by some of the unseemly negatives of a very few.

As a profession, we do so many things right…or morally…or ethically. While the practice culture is changing, pharmacy services have always been about building trust with our patients. Our credibility soars when patients see the benefit of what we do, and that extends to other practitioners in all sectors of healthcare.We are bound by the same institution with respect to protecting privacy, and doing no harm. These are of utmost importance, and if we aim to leave every interaction with a positive takeaway, no matter how small, that relationship will build. Asking someone how their daughter is coping with a recent diagnosis of diabetes, or being curious about a bypass recipient who has started a rehab program.The challenge is not to get bogged down by negative rhetoric we sometimes hear about the pharmacy world. Every sector has challenges to overcome.

We are said to be the most accessible healthcare provider. Our investment in the future is an investment of time spent bettering the health of the people that need it most. It’s a moral approach, it’s an ethical approach. The only drawback is that it can’t be done in a series of 140-character missives.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, employer or affiliation.