Traditional ethical theory is based on two central ideas. According to the utilitarianism theory, the action that leads to the best possible outcome for the most people is the action that should be taken. On the other end of the spectrum is deontology that states that actions may be right or wrong regardless of the outcome. In other words, outcomes would not be useful criteria when determining the ethically correct action. Most people, or pharmacists for that matter, do not strictly follow one of these theories but rather use a combination of the two. Factoring in background, education, and underlying moral or ethical principles leads to a very complex pattern

During ethical decision-making, it is also important for a pharmacist to consider their obligation to do no harm to the patient. Taking this one step further, shouldn’t every health care professional wish to do more than refrain from causing the patient harm? More likely, active interventions to prevent harm, remove harm, and promote well-being and positive outcomes would be the intention of the professional. So how do we follow these principles when a patient suspected of using illegal intravenous drugs comes into the pharmacy seeking to purchase needles? The patient is obviously hurting themselves by using drugs, but on the other hand, they may be causing more harm if they use needles that aren’t sterile. Herein lies the ethical dilemma. Which harm is greater? How can we as professionals prevent the harm to this patient and promote their well-being?

Throughout the process of writing this paper, it has become clear to me that many questions have yet to be answered. However, I have found the process of merely asking the difficult questions to be of significant value. Answers will not come easily, but analyzing the environment in which we come to a decision about a moral issue will ultimately lead to a more sound decision making process.

A patient’s rights, in my opinion, should be one of the initial considerations during the decision making process. The patient has a right to know the risks involved with certain medical procedures and drug therapy. The patient has a right to be treated with the utmost respect, dignity, and concern. And the patient should have the freedom to entertain their own thoughts, beliefs, and values based on their background and experiences just as the healthcare professional does. A mutual respect for these personal fe

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