Professional Standards

“Student Pharmacist” is the sole title recognized by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and other professional organizations. The use of any other title (Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate, Pharm.D. Candidate, Pharm.D. C, etc.) is unprofessional and reflects poorly on the student and the DKICP.

Student pharmacists are expected to act professionally in all of their dealings with the DKICP and the community. Responsible behavior, respect for others, good judgment, and cooperation are qualities valued by the pharmacy profession. Students are encouraged to cultivate these qualities during their didactic and professional experience with the DKICP. The Oath of a Pharmacist, the Pledge of Professionalism, the Code of Ethics for Pharmacists, and the Student Code of Professionalism are documents which emphasize the importance of these qualities in the Pharmacy profession.

Oath of a Pharmacist

The revised Oath was adopted by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Board of Directors and the APhA Board of Trustees in November 2021.

“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 promote inclusion, embrace diversity, and advocate for justice to advance health equity.
I will apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal outcomes for all patients.
I will respect and protect all personal and health information entrusted to me.
I will accept the responsibility to improve my professional knowledge, expertise, and self-awareness.
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.”

Code of Ethics for Pharmacists

Developed by the American Pharmaceutical Association Academy of Students of Pharmacy/American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Council of Deans (APhA-ASP/AACP-COD) Task Force on Professionalism; June 26, 1994.

“A pharmacist respects the covenantal relationship between the patient and pharmacist.
A pharmacist promotes the good of every patient in a caring, compassionate, and confidential manner.
A pharmacist respects the autonomy and dignity of each patient.
A pharmacist acts with honesty and integrity in professional relationships.
A pharmacist maintains professional competence.
A pharmacist respects the values and abilities of colleagues and other health professionals.
A pharmacist serves individual, community, and societal needs.
A pharmacist seeks justice in the distribution of health resources.”

Pledge of Professionalism

“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 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 must be an essential part of my everyday life and I must practice pharmacy with honesty and commitment to service. To accomplish this goal of professional development, I as a student of pharmacy should:

Develop a sense of loyalty and duty to the profession of pharmacy by being a builder of community, one able and willing to contribute to the well-being of others and one who enthusiastically accepts the responsibility and accountability for membership in the profession.
Foster professional competency through life-long learning. I must 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 Maimonides and a Code of Ethics as set forth by the profession.
Incorporate into my life and practice, dedication to excellence. This will require an ongoing reassessment of personal and professional values.
Maintain the highest ideals and professional attributes to ensure and facilitate the covenantal relationship required of the pharmaceutical care giver.

The profession of pharmacy is one that demands adherence to a set of rigid ethical standards. These high ideals are necessary to ensure 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 must strive to uphold these standards as I advance toward full membership in the profession of pharmacy.

The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy Student Code of Professionalism

Students enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy professional program are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful towards all individuals (fellow students, faculty, staff, preceptors, patients, etc) in all settings (on campus and in the community), involved in their education and training. The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (DKICP) is committed to instilling a sense of professionalism and a desire to adhere to this professional code of conduct. While the institution must create an environment in which professional attributes may be cultivated, each student (as a future member of the profession) has the responsibility to uphold the honor of the profession and accept and practice its standards of conduct.

The following Code of Professionalism, written and adopted by the students of UH Hilo DKICP, represents what we deem critical in displaying professional conduct as pharmacists. The conduct expected of ourselves and our peers includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Conduct at rotation sites

I agree to…

Arrive on time, every time.
Wear appropriate attire: this includes my white coat, appropriate name badge, closed-toe shoes, etc. Appropriate attire does not include jeans, shorts, t-shirts, tennis shoes, tight or revealing clothing or other casual attire. I recognize that this applies to all professional activities and events.
Treat all patients and health professionals at all rotation sites with respect.
Leave my cellular phone at home or switched off during the entirety of rotation activities.

Conduct in the classroom

I agree to…

Arrive on time to each class, lab or exam. I recognize that arriving late to a class, lab, exam, or presentation is disruptive to the presenter(s) and to my fellow classmates.
Only leave the classroom when absolutely necessary, i.e., if I need to use the restroom and cannot wait until class is over, have an emergency phone call, or another similar situation.
Always ask the exam proctor for explicit permission in the event that I need to use the restroom during an examination.
Avoid personal conversations and distracting activities during lectures and presentations.
Keep my full attention on the classroom activity, and avoid other activities during class (e.g., browsing the internet, playing video games, personal electronic communications, etc.), because I recognize that these behaviors are distracting and disrespectful to my peers, faculty and guests.
Leave my cellular phone at home or switched off while attending class activities.
Contribute to group activities and projects to the extent that I expect other members of the group to contribute.

Conduct on campus

I agree to treat the UH facilities and equipment including, but not limited to, parking areas, classrooms, student lounge, break-out rooms, restrooms, patio area, etc. with respect and care. I understand that I am expected to clean up after myself in these common areas.

Conduct associated with being a pharmacist

I promise to avoid all behavior, inside and outside the classroom, that could cause embarrassment to myself, my peers, DKICP, affiliated organizations and sites. I recognize that my behavior inside and outside the classroom affects how the public perceives our college and our profession.

Enforcement of this Code

If you feel that any of your peers have violated the DKICP code of Professionalism, please contact:
Lara Gomez, Pharm D., Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Email: lhgomez@hawaii.edu, Ph: (808) 932-7698, Room 214

You may also report violations through your class liaisons who will in turn report the violation to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. All reports of violation to the Code will be kept strictly confidential and thoroughly investigated. When necessary, appropriate action will be taken by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.