PSA opens public consultation on the draft Code of Ethics for Pharmacists

11 March 2026

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today opened public consultation on its draft revised Code of Ethics for Pharmacists following an eight-month best-practice development process.

 

The Code of Ethics is the fundamental resource that articulates the values of the pharmacy profession and the expected ethical standards of pharmacists, underpinning the professional practice of all Australian pharmacists.

 

The draft Code of Ethics maintains the structure and format of the current Code, while introducing new obligations related to integrity, collaboration and pharmacist wellbeing.

 

The Project Advisory Group Chair, Dr Ayomide Ogundipe MPS, was pleased to see the draft Code of Ethics progress to the public consultation phase.

 

“The revised Code of Ethics aims to support pharmacists better as they face increasingly complex ethical challenges, arising from their expanding scope of practice and broader societal changes,” Dr Ogundipe said.

 

“The Code adds in new obligations for pharmacists reflecting the wider breadth and depth of roles pharmacists now perform in our health care system.

 

“This is a revised Code for the profession, by the profession. I strongly encourage pharmacists to participate in this consultation and help make sure the Code we launch later this year represents the collective values of Australia’s pharmacists.”

 

PSA National President, Professor Mark Naunton MPS reflected on the importance of the consultation for the profession:

 

“The Code of Ethics exists for pharmacists to approach their professional practice with integrity and care, and to guide us to deliver the best possible care for our patients and communities,” Professor Naunton said.

 

“Over the last decade, pharmacy practice has changed a lot. Our scope has grown, our roles have become more specialised, and the services we provide are more complex than ever.

 

“PSA is proud to be the custodian of this fundamental document for the profession, and I encourage all pharmacists to contribute to this consultation.”

 

The review of the Code of Ethics is one of the important elements of the Strategic Agreement on Pharmacist Professional Practice between the Albanese government and PSA, which was signed in June 2024. PSA acknowledges the Minister for Health and Ageing, Hon Mark Butler MP, and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing for their support of the review.

 

The consultation period closes on Friday 17 April 2026.

 

The Code of Ethics for Pharmacists review is accessible here:

 

 

Media contact: Leah Jacobsen 

M: 0480 099 798 E: leah.jacobsen@psa.org.au 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is the only national peak body that represents all of Australia’s pharmacists across all practice settings. We want every Australian to have access to the best healthcare, and this must include optimising access to pharmacists’ knowledge and medicines expertise at the forefront of our healthcare system.