Section 657.3.28. Unethical conduct or practice.

Violation by a pharmacy technician of any of the provisions of this rule shall constitute unethical conduct or practice and may be grounds for disciplinary action as provided in rule 657—3.30(155A).

         3.28(1) Misrepresentative deeds. A pharmacy technician shall not make any statement tending to deceive, misrepresent, or mislead anyone, or be a party to or an accessory to any fraudulent or deceitful practice or transaction in pharmacy or in the operation or conduct of a pharmacy.

         3.28(2) Confidentiality. In the absence of express written authorization from the patient or written order or direction of a court, except where the best interests of the patient require, a pharmacy technician shall not divulge or reveal to any person other than the patient or the patient’s authorized representative, the prescriber or other licensed practitioner then caring for the patient, a licensed pharmacist, a person duly authorized by law to receive such information, or as otherwise provided in rule 657—8.16(124,155A), any of the following:

            a.               A patient’s name, address, social security number, or any information that could be used to identify a patient;

            b.               The contents of any prescription drug order or medication order or the therapeutic effect thereof, or the nature of professional pharmaceutical services rendered to a patient;

            c.               The nature, extent, or degree of illness suffered by any patient; or

            d.               Any medical information furnished by the prescriber or the patient.

         3.28(3) Discrimination. It is unethical to unlawfully discriminate between patients or groups of patients for reasons of religion, race, creed, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, or disease state when providing pharmaceutical services.

         3.28(4) Unethical conduct or behavior. A pharmacy technician shall not exhibit unethical behavior in connection with the technician’s pharmacy employment. Unethical behavior shall include, but is not limited to, the following acts: verbal or physical abuse, coercion, intimidation, harassment, sexual advances, threats, degradation of character, indecent or obscene conduct, and theft.

[ARC 9009B, IAB 8/11/10, effective 7/23/10]