The Code of Conduct is intended to set the standard of professional conduct for all pharmacists and registered pharmacy support personnel within the scope of the Pharmacy Act. It is also regarded as governing the conduct of all persons registered in terms of the Pharmacy Act including registered pharmacy owners issued with a licence in terms of section 22 of the Act both within and outside the practice of pharmacy.

The Code of Conduct provides more detailed information regarding the Act, rules and/or regulations relating to all persons registered in terms of the Pharmacy Act and sets out the fundamental duties which apply to them. The information provided should be read with all applicable legislation.

The South African Pharmacy Council ('Council') holds the view that a person registered with Council should at all times endeavour to act in the interest of promoting public health. A pharmacist, all registered pharmacy personnel and any registered owner issued with a licence in terms of section 22 of the Act, should maintain and enhance the honour and dignity of the pharmacy profession and refrain from any activity, which may discredit the profession. Adherence to a Code of Conduct will assist in achieving the aforementioned goal.

A breach of the Code of Conduct as published in these guidelines could form the basis of a complaint, subject to disciplinary steps by Council, provided that Council, in considering whether or not action should follow, takes into consideration the circumstances of an individual case and does not regard itself as being limited to those matters which are mentioned in the Code of Conduct. A breach of this Code of Conduct may also lead thereto that the name of the recorded pharmacy and/or the pharmacy owner issued with a licence in terms of section 22 of the Act, be removed from the Council's relevant register and that Council will make a recommendation to the Director-General that the licence issued be withdrawn.