In almost all circumstances, regulated members are not permitted to provide pharmacy services to themselves, their immediate family members, or those with whom they have a close personal relationship.
Not only is this practice not clinically sound – as it’s difficult to ensure an independent, objective assessment of appropriateness occurs – it often leads to colleagues questioning the regulated member’s motives for providing self-treatment. As health professionals who recognize the importance and value of the services they provide, regulated members must seek out appropriate pharmacy services for themselves and family from an objective, independent pharmacy provider. This needs to take precedence over business relationships.
As a reminder, the Standards of Practice for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians prohibit regulated members from providing a professional service to themselves, a family member of the regulated member, or anyone else with whom the regulated member has a close personal relationship, except for
- a professional service provided in an emergency, or
- a professional service provided when another regulated member is not readily available to provide the professional service.
Further, Principle 3 of the Code of Ethics states the following:
- Limit treatment of myself or members of my immediate family only to minor conditions, emergency circumstances or when another appropriate health professional is not readily available.
This does not mean that it is never appropriate for a regulated member to treat themself or immediate family members. It means such treatment should be limited to minor, self-limiting conditions or emergency situations. Even then, it should only occur if obtaining care from another healthcare provider is not reasonably possible or would delay treatment in a way that could potentially cause harm to the patient.