The Code of Conduct for members of the
RPS has been reproduced below and is available
online in appendix A of the RPS regulations
www.rpharms.com
Assembly may create, and from time to time
amend or rescind, a Code of Conduct to be
observed by all members of the Society. Breaches
of the Code may, upon proper investigation under
the process set out in the appropriate Regulations,
lead to a Conduct Panel hearing which may, in turn,
depending on the nature of the breach, ultimately
lead to expulsion from the Society.
Being a member of the RPS is a mark of
professionalism and members, as ambassadors
of the Society, should do nothing that might
detract from the high standing of the profession.
This includes any aspect of a member’s personal
conduct which could have a negative impact
upon the profession. On admission to, and
annually on renewal of membership, all members
must therefore:
- Be in good standing professionally, including
with the Society and any other professional body
or regulator of which they are a member or
registrant
- Conduct themselves in a manner that upholds
and enhances the reputation of the Society
- Further the interests of and maintain the dignity
and welfare of the Society and the profession
- Exercise their professional skills and judgement
to the best of their ability, discharge their
professional responsibilities with integrity and do
all in their power to ensure that their professional
activities do not put the health and safety of
others at risk
- When called upon to give a professional opinion,
do so with objectivity and reliability
- Be truthful and honest in dealings with clients,
colleagues, other professionals and all they
come into contact with in the course of their
duties
- Never engage in any activity that will impair
the dignity, reputation or welfare of the Society,
fellow members or their profession
- Never knowingly engage in any corrupt
or unethical practice
- Not implicate the Society, through direct
reference or use of membership status, in
any statement that may be construed as
defamatory, discriminatory, libellous, offensive,
slanderous, subversive or otherwise damaging
to the Society
- If convicted of a criminal or civil offence
anywhere in the world inform the Society
promptly, and provide such information
concerning the conviction as the Institution may
require. NB this does not included Fixed Penalty
Notice offences.
- Observe the Policies of the Society
- Comply with the Society's Regulations and all
applicable laws
If a member generally becomes aware of, or has
reasonable grounds for believing, that another
member is engaged in or has engaged in conduct
which is in breach of the Regulations and/or
Code of Conduct of the Society, they shall inform
the Society in writing of that belief, but shall not
maliciously or recklessly injure or attempt to injure,
directly or indirectly, the reputation, practice,
employment or livelihood of another member.
Complaints about the opinions expressed by
a member or content shared by a member
publicly on a social media platform should be
reported to the social media platform directly or,
where relevant, to the police. RPS will not routinely
take action to undermine any Members right to
challenge and/or criticise any action of RPS. RPS will
only consider complaints about such content
under the Conduct Scheme where the member is
holding themselves out as a representative of
RPS on such a platform or where at the reasonable
discretion of the CEO the content may infringe
common standards of decency or place an individual at risk of harm in which case the
complaint may be dealt with under the Conduct
Scheme. Fellows are held to the same standard
as ordinary members in this respect.
Complaints about the professional practice,
performance or conduct of a member should be
referred to the General Pharmaceutical Council,
and any action by the Society shall be postponed
until the outcome of the Council’s proceedings
is known.
If the complaint is summarily dismissed by the
General Pharmaceutical Council, the procedures
set out in the Conduct Scheme for Members will
be followed.
If the complaint is the subject of proceedings before
a court or other regulatory authority, any action by
the Society shall be postponed until the outcome
of those proceedings is known, but is not obliged
to do so. The Society is entitled to conduct its own
investigations and implement its own decisions
in accordance with the Society’s Regulations and
conduct procedures independently from the
General Pharmaceutical Council, courts or any
other authority.
In exceptional circumstances, the Society may
take action in advance of a decision of a court
or regulatory authority, in which case the complaint
shall be referred to the Chairman of the Membership
Committee, and the procedures set out in the
Conduct Scheme for Members will be followed.
The Society aims to create an environment which
respects the dignity of all individuals, including
but not limited to individuals who are Members,
members or employees, those who provide services
to the Society or conduct business on behalf of
the Society or who come into contact with anyone
connected to the Society.
Bullying, harassment, or victimisation of any will not
be tolerated.
Bullying is offensive, intimidating, malicious or
insulting behaviour, and/or misuse or an abuse
or misuse of power that is meant to undermine,
humiliate or injure the person on the receiving end.
Harassment is any unwanted physical, verbal or
non-verbal conduct which has the purpose of
violating another person’s dignity or creating an
intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or
offensive environment for another person, or is
reasonably considered by that person to have the
effect of violating their dignity or creating such an
environment, even if this effect was not intended
by the person responsible for the conduct. A single
incident or a pattern of multiple incidents of this
type of behaviour can amount to harassment and/
or bullying. It also includes treating someone less
favourably because they have submitted or refused
to submit to such behaviour in the past.
Any of these behaviours will always be viewed
extremely seriously and may result in disciplinary
action being taken including, or where appropriate,
summary dismissal, removal from office,
termination of a contract to provide services or
membership of the Society.