PharmD Student Handbook & Policy Library

All students are expected to be familiar with and abide by the SPPS Academic Integrity and Professional Conduct Policy. These procedures are to be followed for each and every instance of suspected academic integrity. The University community depends upon shared academic standards. Academic dishonesty in any form by any member of the University community represents a fundamental impairment of these standards.

Violation of this policy

A proven case of an academic/professional conduct violation against a student may result in his/her expulsion from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the University at Buffalo.

Audience: PharmD professional students at UB SPPS

Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to direct students to the Pharmacist Code of Ethics.

Policy: Students are encouraged to review the principles of the Code of Ethics for Pharmacists (adopted by the membership of the American Pharmaceutical Association October 27, 1994).

Audience: All students at UB SPPS.

Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to outline that all forms of harassment and discrimination are strictly prohibited.

Harassment Policy:

Harassment of any form is prohibited.

Harassment creates a hostile or intimidating environment, which interferes significantly with an individual's work or adversely affects an individual's living conditions. Such an atmosphere can be created by verbal or physical conduct.

Physical harassment constitutes unwelcome physical contact or verbal threats, menacing or otherwise.

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome acts of a sexual nature including sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and/or other verbal or physical conduct, including written communications, of an intimidating, hostile or offensive nature, or action taken in retaliation for the reporting of such behavior.  

This policy applies to all faculty, staff, administrators, and students on the university grounds or at university affiliated functions. Sexual harassment is prohibited by Title IV and VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and by title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.  See Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment. 

Non-Discrimination Policy:

In accordance with federal and state laws, no person, in whatever relationship with the University at Buffalo, shall be subject to discrimination on the basis of age, religion or creed, color, disability, national origin, race, ethnicity, sex, marital or veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other status protected by law.

UB does not have a policy that limits or favors current UB students, transfer or out-of-state applicants. All applicants are considered equally. UB SPPS is committed to a nondiscriminatory admission policy and philosophy. 

For more information visit UB’s Discrimination and Harassment Policy.

Audience: All Professional PharmD students at UB SPPS.

Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to define HIPAA, discuss mandatory training and consequences of violation.

Policy:

What is HIPAA?

HIPPA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Additional context for professional students can be found at HIPAA for Professionals.

HIPAA Training

In order to participate in any experiential education rotations (IPPE and APPE), all student pharmacists must complete HIPAA training annually.  Student pharmacists are not permitted to be on any experiential education rotation unless an updated HIPAA training (CORE Readiness video) is completed and logged in CORE ELMS annually. The Office of Experiential Education is tasked with managing and tracking this requirement.

Site Specific HIPAA Training

Students should also anticipate having to complete site-specific HIPAA training at some or all of their experiential education rotation sites.

HIPAA Violation Consequences

To enforce maintenance of patient confidentiality, the Office of Experiential Education personnel or course coordinator will fail a student pharmacist on rotation if HIPAA is violated in any way (e.g., verbal, written, recorded).

Check Your UB Email Daily

The University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (UB SPPS) uses listservs as the primary method of communication with students, faculty, and staff. A LISTSERV® is a commercial email list management system that sends a copy of every message to all subscribers on the list.

As a student, you are automatically subscribed to the listserv(s) associated with your academic program and class year.

PharmD Student Listservs for each PharmD class:

• phm-2028-list@listserv.buffalo.edu
• phm2027-list@listserv.buffalo.edu
• phm2026-list@listserv.buffalo.edu
• etc...

Online Student Listserv for online degree and online micro-credential students:

• spps-online-list@listserv.buffalo.edu

Pharm Sci Student Listservs for graduate and undergraduate, respectively:

• phcgrads-list@listserv.buffalo.edu
• phcmajor-list@listserv.buffalo.edu

Clinical and Translational Therapeutics Student Listserv:

• ctt-student-list@listserv.buffalo.edu

This is the MAIN venue for communication pertaining to professional information for everyone in your class as well as faculty and staff. All students are automatically subscribed to their class listserv.

User Guidelines and Expectations

• The listserv is "open" which means anyone receiving messages from the list can send messages to the list. The list contains members of the class as well as faculty, staff and school leadership, including the Dean.  
• You have been assigned a UB email address. Check this email every day for important messages. All messages will be sent to this UB email ONLY. If you have another email (e.g., Gmail) you can have messages forwarded BUT it is your responsibility to ensure you are receiving the messages. It is best to check your UB email directly. UB IT has mentioned that some outside email services can confound the listserv so please be sure to use your UB address when communicating on listservs. 
• Listserv messages are for information related to pharmacy, the school, or your class. They are not intended to be used to sell any products, services, or to promote non-school related gatherings/events.
• Listserv messages should not be utilized to direct complaints, grievances, or venting. We encourage students to voice concerns, address issues and ask for assistance through the appropriate channels in the school.
  
• No profanity or "bad" language (or angry tones).

Audience: PharmD Professional students at UB SPPS

Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to inform student pharmacists of the Oath of a Pharmacist.

Policy: Students recite the Oath of a Pharmacist at the White Coat Ceremony (The revised Oath was adopted by the AACP Board of Directors and the APhA Board of Trustees in November 2021). Student Pharmacists are expected to uphold this Oath in all personal and professional activities whereby UB SPPS is being represented.

Respect for Patients

The student pharmacist’s foremost duty is to the patient. It is essential to maintain respect, confidentiality, humility, and honesty for all patients encountered in every aspect of care during experiential rotations, working hours, and other school activities.

• Confidentiality: It is crucial to always maintain the confidentiality of patient information. Medical and personal details about patients should only be shared with health professionals directly involved in the patient’s care. To prevent accidental breaches of confidentiality, student pharmacists should avoid discussing patient care in public areas such as hospital elevators, cafeterias, lounges, and hallways. Medical records and patient notes must be kept in a secure location. Student pharmacists must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the New York State Confidentiality law.
• Humility: Student pharmacists should adhere to the medical principle of "first, do no harm." They must demonstrate humility and respect for patients through their language and actions. Student pharmacists should use compassionate, professional, and non-judgmental verbal and non-verbal behavior(s) in all patient encounters. Student pharmacists should seek consultation whenever needed or requested by the patient or the patient's caregiver(s). Relationships with patients and their caregiver(s) should remain professional and ethically appropriate. Student pharmacists must maintain a patient's privacy and modesty as much as possible during medical history, taking physical examinations, and any other patient contact.
• Honesty: Honesty is essential in the student pharmacist’s relationship with patients, preceptors and supervisors. It is crucial to be truthful and not intentionally mislead or provide false information. Student pharmacists are encouraged to seek guidance from their supervising preceptor / pharmacist when they feel uncomfortable answering patient questions or do not have the requested information. While honesty is vital, students should avoid disclosing information that should be communicated by the patient's physician.

Truthfulness, Legibility, and Completeness in All Written Communication Regarding Patients and Their Care

It is crucial to maintain the integrity of medical records and documents.  The written or electronic medical record is not only important for effective patient care and communication among health care providers, but it is also a legal record and available to the patient for review.  Therefore, all medical records regarding patients and their care must be legible, truthful, complete, and accurate to the best of the student pharmacist’s knowledge and ability.  Records should not contain offensive or judgmental statements.

Accuracy In All Verbal Communication Regarding Patients and Their Care

In the clinical setting, medical information about patients is often communicated verbally.  The information that student pharmacists communicate verbally to physicians, preceptors, peers, and other health care providers may influence patient care and the learning process.  Communication regarding a patient should be neither offensive nor judgmental.  It is crucial to maintain the integrity of patients' medical information by reporting only accurate information, information of which the student pharmacist has direct knowledge, and all pertinent information of which the student is aware, all to the best of the student pharmacist’s ability.

Respect for Faculty, Staff, Colleagues, and Health Professional Personnel

Student pharmacists must exhibit respect and humility for all those whom they come in contact with, including faculty, staff, colleagues, health professional personnel, other personnel, guests, and the general public. Respect and humility can be demonstrated by promptly following reasonable instructions and showing deference to those with extensive knowledge, experience, or capabilities. Disagreements with faculty members should be expressed in a calm, mature, and professional manner. Additionally, student pharmacists should maintain an even overall temperament, respect others' time and efforts, and responsibly manage private / confidential information.

Student pharmacists are obligated to attend all required classes, sessions or other professional obligations dressed appropriately.  It is respectful to arrive on time for courses, clinical rotations, and other professional obligations. Arriving late or leaving early without the instructor's express consent is inappropriate and disruptive to others. Students should behave professionally and courteously.

Inappropriate behavior, including unwanted and/or inappropriate sexual contact, touching, or verbal abuse, is prohibited. This includes inappropriate verbal communication, body language, or attire in a professional environment.

Respect for Property

The student pharmacist must abide by all hospital, institutional and pharmacy policies during their clinical experiences and training. Property, including computers, electronic devices, equipment and medications, are not for the student pharmacist’s personal use. Student pharmacists should use tools and equipment responsibly to prevent damage or misuse.

Audience: All students at UB SPPS

Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to define sexual violence and outline the process for reporting misconduct.

Policy:

UB is committed to providing a safe learning environment free of all forms of discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual assault, domestic and dating violence and stalking. If you have experienced gender-based violence (e.g., intimate partner violence, attempted or completed sexual assault, harassment, coercion, stalking), UB has resources to help. This includes academic accommodations, health and counseling services, housing accommodations, helping with legal protective orders, and assistance with reporting the incident to police or other UB officials if you so choose. Please contact UB’s Title IX Coordinator at 716-645-2266 for more information. For confidential assistance, you may also contact a Crisis Services Campus Advocate at 716-796-4399.

Please be aware UB faculty are mandated to report violence or harassment based on sex or gender. This means that if you tell me about a situation, I will need to report it to the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. You will still have options about how the situation will be handled, including whether you wish to pursue a formal complaint. Please know that if you do not wish to have UB proceed with an investigation, your request will be honored unless UB's failure to act does not mitigate the risk of harm to you or other members of the university community. You also have the option of speaking with trained counselors who can maintain complete confidentiality. UB’s Options for Confidentially Disclosing Sexual Violence provides a full explanation of the resources available, as well as contact information. You may call UB’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at 716-645-2266 for more information, and you have the option of calling that office anonymously if you would prefer not to disclose your identity.