Ethics, Pharmacists and Robert R. Courtney Essay -- Ethics in Pharmac

In July 2001 Robert R. Courtney’s illegal and highly unethical behavior was brought to the attention of local authorities and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Courtney’s blatant disregard for the trust patients placed in him was evidenced by his daily violations of their rights and expectations while he supposedly provided quality healthcare service. By August 2001, following investigation, the FBI filed 20 federal charges against Courtney that carried a maximum prison sentence of 196 years (United Press International, 2002). $8 million of his assets which were estimated to be in excess of $10 million were frozen to be used as restitution for victims in the criminal case. Following a plea agreement Courtney’s prison sentence was pared down to 30 years and he and his company received a $15 million fine Patients Rights and Expectations of Healthcare Services Formed in 1997 by President Clinton the President`s Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care reported out in 1998 and provided the first ever Patient’s Bill of Rights. This Patient’s Bill of Rights is still in use today and contains eight rights of patients using healthcare services. The first and most important is the patient’s right to information about health plans, healthcare professionals, and healthcare facilities. Information to patients must be concise and clearly understood regardless of any physical disabilities or language barriers. This straightforward information will enable patients to make informed decisions regarding their health care. Second is a patient’s right to their choice of healthcare providers and plans. The third right is their ability to access emergency services when they are injured, ... ...ress. (2004). New sentence sought in diluted drugs case. In LJWorld.com website. Retrieved July 6, 2011, from http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2004/aug/30/new_sentence_sought/. The Patient Care Partnership. (2011). The Patient Care Partnership. In American Hospital Association website. Retrieved July 7, 2011, from http://www.aha.org/aha/issues/Communicating-With-Patients/pt-care-partnership.html. United Press International. (2002). Millionaire Pharmacist Admits Diluting Cancer Drugs. In NewsMax.com Wires website. Retrieved July 6, 2011, from http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2002/2/23/115445.shtml. Young, D. (2001). Hospital, Pharmacy Groups Reassure Patients After Kansas City Scandal. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists website. Retrieved June 13, 2011, from http://www.ashp.org/menu/News/PharmacyNews/NewsArticle.aspx?id=753.