2021 Proposed Revisions to the Oath of a Pharmacist

A joint AACP/APhA Steering Committee was charged with proposing revisions to the current Oath of a Pharmacist, so it is inclusive of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism (DEIA) values. 
 
Background: The Oath of a Pharmacist was first developed by the joint APhA-ASP and AACP-COD Task Force on Professionalism in 1994. The AACP Professionalism Committee, a sub-group of the AACP Student Services SIG, first recommended revisions to the Oath in 2006 to address the development of new pharmacists, patient confidentiality, lifelong learning, and community service.  The revised Oath was approved by AACP in 2007 and APhA in 2008. Colleges and schools of pharmacy began using the current version of the Oath during the 2008-2009 academic year for spring 2009 graduates. 
 
The committee would like to garner feedback regarding the proposed revisions that will be shared with the Steering Committee, the AACP Board of Directors, the APhA Board of Directors, and association staff. Your valuable feedback will inform the revisions to the Oath.
 
Please use this form to enter your feedback by Monday, July 12th
 
Please contact pharm4me@aacp.org, if questions. Thank you!

All Proposed Revisions

The proposed changes are shown in blue.
"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 apply my knowledge and experience to advance health equity 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 champion diversity and inclusion, respect the perspectives of others, and mitigate my personal biases. [new]
  • 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."

Revised Statement #1

Original:  I will apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal outcomes for my patients. 
 
Revised: I will apply my knowledge and experience to advance health equity to assure optimal outcomes for all patients. 
Revised statement #1... *
 Strongly AgreeAgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree
Reflects timeless wording
Would be easy for individuals to recite
Reflects an important value for pharmacists
Overall, I am supportive of this particular change. *

Revised Statement #2

Original:  I will accept the lifelong obligation to improve my professional knowledge and competence. 
 
Revised: I will accept the responsibility to improve my professional knowledge, expertise, and self-awareness.
Revised statement #2 ... *
 Strongly AgreeAgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree
Reflects timeless wording
Would be easy for individuals to recite
Reflects an important value for pharmacists
Overall, I am supportive of this particular change. *

New Statement

New Statement: I will champion diversity and inclusion, respect the perspective of others, and mitigate my personal biases. 
The new statement... *
 Strongly AgreeAgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree
Reflects timeless wording
Would be easy for individuals to recite
Reflects an important value for pharmacists
Should the steering committee keep this new statement? *
Overall, I am supportive of this new statement *

Overall Feedback on DEIA Changes

The Oath should be revised to be reflective of DEIA values. Even if you do not agree with the specific set of proposed edits to the Oath, please indicate whether you are supportive of changing the Oath, so that it is inclusive of DEIA values. *
Overall, the scope of the proposed DEIA changes to the Oath: *
Overall, I am supportive of the proposed DEIA changes to the Oath. *