The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Board of Directors recently approved the implementation of two new Codes of Conduct. The AAPS Professional Code of Conduct Policy calls for members, volunteers, and staff to use their expertise with integrity to advance the health and welfare of mankind. Key takeaways from this new Code of Conduct include:
- demonstrating integrity and ethical behavior
- engaging professional relationships without bias or discrimination,
- disclosing potential conflicts of interest,
- reporting results accurately, and
- respecting ownership rights.
This policy also includes a clear process for reporting any incident, for evaluation by the AAPS Ethics Committee, and for appeals.
The PharmSci 360 and Event Attendee Code of Conduct provides ethical and professional standards for general membership and event attendees. The AAPS Board of Directors has issued this Code of Conduct to foster a positive and professional environment for all participants at AAPS meetings and events, and to ensure the conduct of all attendees of AAPS meetings and events adheres to the principles of trust, respect, open/transparent dialogue, and personal integrity. Key takeaways include:
- contributing to a positive environment,
- avoiding inappropriate comments or language, and
- not participating in disruptive behavior or harassment.
This policy contains a process for reporting any personal experience or observation of a violation, and AAPS reserves the right to take such actions as it deems necessary and appropriate.
These Codes of Conduct have been integrated into the AAPS Communities, event registration pages, and the AAPS website.
As previously mentioned, AAPS has established a Board-level committee on ethics. The Ethics Committee is chaired by Member-at-Large Allen Templeton and also currently includes Member-at-Large Reina Bendayan, Immediate Past President Dale Eric Wurster, and Interim AAPS Executive Director Alice Till. The committee is supported by AAPS’ human resources and legal counsel.
The purpose of the committee is to promote the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity for the AAPS community. The Ethics Committee coordinates the following on behalf of AAPS: (1) develops and maintains ethical standards documents that support general ethical member conduct as well as conduct expected at AAPS events, (2) serves as an educational and communication resource for AAPS on ethic-related topics in order to promote the highest standards of professional behavior, and (3) develop procedural approaches to adjudicate various ethics-related issues that might arise on a periodic basis.
Please take a moment to become familiar with AAPS’ Codes of Conduct. If you have any questions about the policies or the recently established Ethics Committee, please contact AAPS President Joseph W. Polli.