You will hear it said “you can’t look after others if you are not looking after yourself.” This is not just because working in healthcare can be challenging and we want to reduce the risk of burnout, or because we need to set a good example to those we are providing care to by practising what we preach. Rather the most important aspect of our wellbeing is ensuring we are practising in a competent way and operating at our best to ensure the safety of our patients.
The new Code of Ethics for Pharmacists, which was launched on 1 July 2026, has introduced a new Care Principle - Care Principle 4: A pharmacist fosters wellbeing in self and colleagues. This is the first time our Code of Ethics specifically refers to the wellbeing of pharmacists.
In full detail this is what it says:
“Care Principle 4
Pharmacists have a responsibility to care for their own wellbeing and foster an environment where colleagues and other practitioners feel safe and supported.
Pharmacists can only fulfil their professional role, including acting in the best interests of patients, when they are in an environment that supports their ability to practise safely,
confidently and autonomously.
A pharmacist:
a. prioritises and manages personal health and wellbeing to enable delivery of safe, effective and sustainable professional practice.
b. demonstrates and encourages healthy work practices.
c. contributes to initiatives which promote wellbeing, psychological and cultural safety, and sustainability of the profession.
d. does not place pressure on staff or colleagues to undertake tasks that are unlawful, unethical or beyond their professional boundaries, capacity or scope.
e. recognises real or perceived power imbalances and takes steps to prevent these from undermining the ability of staff or colleagues to exercise professional autonomy.
f. recognises signs of impairment or behaviour in themselves or colleagues which indicate a need for intervention and support.”
The responsibility for wellbeing has two aspects as it includes responsibility for the wellbeing of colleagues as well as for self. While you are a student you might feel that you do not have much impact on the wellbeing of pharmacist colleagues but as part of a team you do. The culture of the workplace is influenced by everyone present and everyone has a responsibility to call out bad behaviour. This Care Principle is a valuable tool for us all to use to point out unhealthy work practices; such as regularly missing breaks and not having lunch, or to draw attention to pressure being placed on us to practice outside our capacity or scope. Hopefully you won’t need to do this but if you do you can always reach out to the Pharmacists’ Support Service to talk over what is happening.
The Pharmacists’ Support Service (PSS) is a not-for-profit charity which focuses on the mental health and well-being of the Australian pharmacy profession. PSS is just a phone call away and can help if you are stressed, concerned about your mental health or need a listening ear. The PSS telephone is answered by volunteers, who are all experienced pharmacists or retired pharmacists, who have undertaken training in crisis support counselling. PSS is available to all pharmacists, interns, students, and overseas pharmacy graduates seeking registration in Australia. PSS provides anonymous and confidential support
over the phone every day of the year between 8.00am and 11.00pm AEST/AEDT by phoning 1300 244 910.
For more information about PSS and to access information and resources visit our website at www.supportforpharmacists.org.au.
