AAPP Code of Conduct

Last updated: July 24, 2024

The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP) embraces the core values of Excellence, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, Innovation, Responsiveness, and Compassion. This Code of Conduct reflects these core values and applies to all members of the Association, and non-members attending AAPP meetings or participating in the Association’s work (i.e., speakers, service providers at events, etc). The AAPP Foundation Board will utilize the same Code of Conduct.

Attestation to the Standards established in the Code of Conduct is required of all members and any individual attending the Association’s meetings. These standards are encouraged and designed to apply beyond the Association to include places of education/training, practice, and employment.

Individuals under consideration for designation as Fellows of the Association, elected or appointed office, committee or editorial positions, appointed as a representative of the Association to other organizations, or as a potential recipient of an AAPP award or grant, will be asked to attest to this Code of Conduct, including confirmation that they have not committed or engaged in harassment or an abuse of power or position.

In pursuing professional activities, AAPP members should strive to: 

  • Engage always in respectful, equitable, and inclusive conduct; 
  • Promote equitable opportunity and fair treatment for all;
  • Pursue professional development and training to maintain highest levels of competence and adherence to scientific and professional standards; 
  • Demonstrate necessary knowledge and respect for all regulations, policies, qualifications, and expertise required to perform all professional activities;
  • Contribute positively to public health, including sharing only evidence-based health and medical information and interventions, and appropriately communicating scientific uncertainty;
  • Honor the public trust in the pharmacy profession by ensuring their own ethical behavior and that of other pharmacists;
  • Demonstrate honesty in the conduct and attribution of their work;
  • Maintain an absence of the influence of conflicts of interest in their work, achieved through avoidance or disclosure;
  • Conduct their work and all related activities in a manner that protects safety and health;
  • Protect the confidentiality of privileged information related to the Association’s business and patients when involved in the work of the Association.

Behaviors inconsistent with the AAPP Code of Conduct include, but are not limited to:

  • Discriminating, harassing or behaving in a biased manner against individuals or groups of individuals based on personal characteristics including but not limited to age; sex; gender or gender identity; race; ethnicity; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; disability; health conditions; pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions; military status; or marital, domestic, or parental status;
  • Participating in or promoting unwelcome sexual attention, contact, or comments;
  • Plagiarizing, falsifying, or fabricating data, inappropriately assigning authorship, or infringing on the intellectual property rights of the Association or other parties;
  • Making false, misleading, or deceptive statements;
  • Promoting products, services, or businesses where there exists a financial or intellectual property interest without appropriate disclosure to audiences;
  • Retaliating against anyone who reports a conduct concern or assists in its resolution;
  • Engaging in personal attacks, intimidation, or bullying in any context;
  • Sharing confidential, personal, or proprietary information without the appropriate consent;

The AAPP Code of Conduct is not intended to address all possible conduct-related behavior or ethical dilemmas.

Procedures for Enforcement

  • Individuals subject to or aware of a violation of the Code of Conduct by others, including discrimination, harassment, bullying, or any abuse of power or position, are asked to intercede when possible.
  • Informally raising conduct concerns may be done by bringing the concern to conduct@aapp.org, either in-person, by phone, or by email (to the AAPP Executive Director). An informal approach does not necessarily preclude a formal resolution, and an informal approach may be pursued when an individual seeks to explore resolution options before deciding to identify the accused or whether to file a formal complaint.
  • Those wishing to file a formal complaint should report violations of the Code of Conduct by members of the Association or non-members attending or participating in Association functions immediately. These complaints should be reported to the Executive Director in person or in writing via secure email to conduct@aapp.org. In cases where the Executive Director is not available or is directly conflicted by the violation, the report should be made to the AAPP President at board@aapp.org. The identity of the individual making the report will be held as confidential as possible by AAPP staff and leadership.
  • All reports will be addressed in as confidential a manner as possible by the Board of Directors. If related to the AAPP Foundation, the Foundation Board will address the reported violation.
  • The need for further investigation and/or resulting disciplinary action(s) will be determined by the Board, with assistance from the Executive Director, after due consideration.
  • To ensure fair treatment of all parties, the individual accused of the violation generally will be made aware of the report and provided with an opportunity to respond.
  • Outcomes for violations of the Code of Conduct may include, but are not limited to, private reprimand or censure; removal of consideration for AAPP awards, elected office, committee involvement, or other Association activities; suspension of membership for a specified period; termination of membership; and/or forfeiture of the FAAPP credentials.
  • The individual involved will be notified in writing of the results of the Board’s decision by the Executive Director and/or the current AAPP President within 60 days.

 

This policy is not intended to and does not prevent or supersede the contacting of security (at events) or law enforcement personnel in circumstances that would warrant such actions.

Questions or reports regarding the Code of Conduct or attestation may be sent to a private email account at conduct@aapp.org. All questions will be considered confidential and handled as such.