As a student of pharmacy, I believe there is a need to build and reinforce a professional identity founded on integrity, ethical behavior and honor. This development, a vital process in my education, will help to ensure that I am true to the professional relationship I establish between myself and society as I become a member of the pharmacy community. Integrity will be an essential part of my everyday life and I will pursue all academic and professional endeavors with honesty and commitment to service. To accomplish this goal of professional development, as a student of pharmacy I will:
- DEVELOP a sense of loyalty and duty to the profession by contributing to the well-being of others and by enthusiastically accepting the responsibility and accountability for membership in the profession.
- FOSTER professional competency through life-long learning. I will strive for high ideals, teamwork, and unity within the profession in order to provide optimal patient care.
- SUPPORT my colleagues by actively encouraging personal commitment to the Oath of a Pharmacist and the Code of Ethics for Pharmacists as set forth by the profession.
- DEDICATE my life and practice to excellence. This will require an ongoing reassessment of personal and professional values.
- MAINTAIN the highest ideals and professional attributes to insure and facilitate the covenantal relationship required of the pharmaceutical care giver.
The profession of pharmacy is one that demands adherence to a set of ethical principles. These high ideals are necessary to insure the quality of care extended to the patients I serve. As a student of pharmacy, I believe this does not start with graduation; rather it begins with my membership in this professional college community. Therefore, I will strive to uphold this pledge as I advance toward full membership in the profession. I voluntarily make this pledge of professionalism.
Developed and adopted by the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Students and Pharmacy/American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Council of Deans Task Force on Professionalism on June 26, 1994. This Pledge is offered as a model for adaptation by each school and college of pharmacy’s faculty and students for use and references in the professionalization of developing members of the pharmacy profession. Adapted from the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy’s Pledge of Professionalism (1993).