As ethical matters are core topics of interest to the profession, in 2012 FIP appointed Dr Betty Chaar and Mr William A. Zellmer to co-chair a working group to deliberate on professional autonomy of pharmacists around the globe. The outcome of the working group’s deliberations was the document "Pharmacist ethics and professional autonomy”.

This body of work sparked the special interest of several FIP members in pharmacy ethics. As a result of advocacy and FIP support, the inaugural FIP Ethics Advisory Group (The EAG) was established in 2015 chaired by Associate Professor Betty Chaar, for the purpose of consultation on ethical matters relating to contemporary practice in pharmacy and support for FIP’s principles and values. Its mission is to advocate for ethics and professionalism in all contexts of pharmacy practice and the pharmaceutical sciences as they relate to the profession.

Terms of Reference have since been developed and were approved by the FIP Bureau in July 2023.

Activities of the EAG:

The group not only initiates sessions at the FIP annual congress to educate and contribute to the enhancement of the profession of pharmacy, but also convenes workshops and webinars to discuss and deliberate on contemporary issues pertinent to our profession. At every annual conference since 2015, the FIP Ethics Advisory Group has convened and welcomes any interested pharmacist to attend and contribute to its deliberations.

Anyone interested in pharmacy ethics is welcome!

Please contact Ms Paula Cohen, FIP Board Support and Coordinator, for more information at paula@fip.org.