Conflicts of Interest in Pharmacy

What is a Conflict of Interest? 

A conflict of interest (COI) arises when an individual’s personal, financial, or professional interests interfere with their ability to make unbiased decisions in their professional role. It occurs when these competing interests could compromise, or appear to compromise, the individual’s integrity, impartiality, or duty to prioritize the best interests of others.

Examples of Conflicts of Interest in Pharmacy:

1. Pharmacist Receiving Incentives from Drug Manufacturers – A pharmacist accepts gifts, bonuses, or sponsorships from a pharmaceutical company in exchange for recommending or preferentially dispensing their medications, even when other options may be more suitable for the patient.
2. Pharmacy Ownership Tied to Prescriber Referrals – A pharmacist who owns a pharmacy enters an agreement with a physician to exclusively fill prescriptions from their clinic in return for patient referrals, prioritizing business profits over patient choice and best therapeutic options.
3. Clinical Trial Bias – A pharmacist involved in a clinical trial for a new medication also has financial investments in the company developing the drug. This conflict may lead to biased trial results or preferential promotion of the drug despite potential risks or lack of superiority over existing treatments.

How to Identify Conflicts of Interest in Pharmacy:

Identifying conflicts of interest in pharmacy involves recognising situations where personal, financial, or professional interests may compromise ethical decision-making or patient care. One of the most common indicators is financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies such as receiving gifts or incentives. This can influence prescribing and dispensing.

Dual roles, personal investments, or affiliations may also bias medication choices. Referral arrangements that benefit pharmacists financially or non-financially can undermine integrity, as can involvement in drug research while holding financial stakes.

Ownership interests in pharmaceutical companies further complicate objectivity. To prevent these conflicts, pharmacies should enforce transparency policies and uphold strict ethical guidelines to prioritise patient care.

The course Conflicts of Interest in Pharmacy provides pharmacists with the essential knowledge and tools to handle COIs effectively, ensuring ethical and unbiased decision-making. 

In the Conflicts of Interest in Pharmacy Course you will learn to:

Understand COI’s and how financial, personal, and professional interests can impact pharmacy practice. 

Recognise COI’s and identify the most frequent conflict scenarios, including relationships with pharmaceutical companies, financial incentives, and dual employment. 

Learn to apply strategies for ethical decision-making and discover best practices for maintaining transparency, compliance, and patient-first care. 

Gain insights into industry standards, guidelines and regulations from organisations like the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). 

Enrol in our Conflicts of Interest in Pharmacy course today.