Prescribing and dispensing: Pharmacists navigating financial conflicts of interest.

In many states, pharmacists are now able to provide services and receive compensation for both prescribing and dispensing medications. This practice transformation presents potential financial conflicts of interest (FCOIs) for the pharmacist, who now must navigate prioritizing patient or community interests amidst new opportunities for personal financial gain or professional advancement. APhA's Ethics Advisory Committee takes up the challenge of analyzing direct FCOIs in such scenarios and presenting guidance on how the prescribing pharmacist can fulfill their professional and ethical responsibility to their patients and communities. Pharmacists should be aware of how expanded prescribing and practice opportunities present FCOIs (both direct and indirect). Transparency, competency, and respect for patient autonomy are key considerations for all pharmacist-patient interactions, especially when prescribing and dispensing may occur in the same patient encounter and FCOI's may emerge.