Code of Ethics 

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General Priciples:

1. All physicians practicing the subspecialty of nephrology must be certified as nephrologists by the Philippine Society of Nephrology and as internists/pediatrician by the Philippine College of Physicians/ Philippine Pediatric Society.
2. The Golden Rule and Primum Non Nocere shall be the guiding principles and should be upheld by the nephrologists at all times.
3. Service to humanity is the primary objective of the practice of nephrology; regardless of race, creed, political affiliations, religious belief and financial gains.
4. Nephrologists have the duty to constantly update his/her scientific knowledge in the field of nephrology and share it with colleagues, students, allied professionals and the community.
5. The general ethical principles governing a group of nephrologists, clinics and dialysis centers are exactly the same as it applies to the individual nephrology practitioner.
6. The Nephrologists professional conduct in private and public shall always be in keeping with the honorable traditions of the medical profession s embodied in the Hippocratic Oath, the International Code of Ethics, the Codes of Ethics of the Philippine Medical Association, and the Philippine College of Physicians/ Philippine Pediatric Society.
7. This Code of Ethics will serve as a guideline for the things nephrologists think, say and do while serving the patients, as well as a guideline for his/ her relationship towards colleagues, allied professionals and community.

Duties To Patients:

1. The Nephrologist should see to it that the best interests of the patients are served, bearing in mind that their relationship is an implied contract of trust and confidence, thus the rules of privileged communication shall not be violated except when required by law or for the greater interest of the public.
2. The Nephrologist is under no obligation to accept a patient especially if the case is not within the scope of his/her expertise, except in case of emergency. The patient has the right to choose his/her nephrologists.
3. The Nephrologist shall take into consideration the wishes of the patient as to the method of diagnostic procedures and the treatment to be done, after explaining the risks and benefits, possible consequences if refused by the patient, as well as the immediate and long term financial costs. The nephrologists shall secure free and informed consent for the proposed management agreed upon.
4. The Nephrologist shall inform the patient of the nature of his/her illness and the prognosis thereof if possible.
5. Referral or consultations to other specialists should always be sought with the consent of the patient in difficult and problematic cases with the purpose of giving the best service.
6. The Nephrologist shall not engage in, nor encourage the selling and purchase of human organs for transplant purposes. Organs from live donors shall be secured only with free informed consent.
7. The Nephrologist shall not prescribe, dispense, manufacture or provide secret remedies for use in any manner and/or boast of radical cure or exhibit testimonial successes in their use without good scientific basis.
8. Professional fees or honoraria of nephrologists shall be commensurate with the services rendered as well as the ability of the patient to pay, with due consideration to the difficulty/seriousness of the case, the experience and expertise of the nephrologists, and the prevailing fees in the community/hospital.
9. The Code of Ethics of the Philippine College of Physicians/ Philippine Pediatric Society, the Nuremberg/ Helsinki Codes, and good clinical practice must be adhered to in all researches using human subjects.

Duties To Colleagues:

1. The Golden Rule should always be the guiding principle and should be upheld at all times. Relationships among colleagues should always be of mutual respect and cooperation with the end goal, which is, the patients welfare.
2. The Nephrologist should assist a colleague in the management of a patient when assistance is called for or solicited, in the interests of the patient’s welfare, for opinion, co-management and for transfer of service.
3. Nephrologists should willingly give free medical service to active medical practitioners as well as his immediate dependents.
4. It is unethical to indulge in fee splitting, to receive commissions, referral fees and rebate or whatever term it may be called, to solicit patients and professional services given by diagnostic clinics and dialysis centers.

Duties To The Community:

1. Nephrologists shall assist the judicial authorities when called upon for the administration of justice, as long as the rule on privileged communication is not violated.
2. The Nephrologist should not advertise nor employ propaganda schemes with the purpose of enticing patients.
3. The Nephrologist should warn the public of false pretensions, frauds, and quacks, for these practices will cause injury to the health of the patients.
4. The Nephrologist may participate in civic actions or mercy missions anytime if the need arises.

Industry:Relationship With Paramedical, Pharmaceutical And Technical Industry:

1. The Nephrologist should cooperate with and safeguard the interests, reputation and dignity of individuals in the paramedical fields as long as they do not violate their respective ethics.
2. The Nephrologist shall not allow technical and pharmaceutical industries to use his/her name in the promotion of equipment, drugs and other medical products for commercial purposes except in scientifically approved journals supported by scientific studies or researches.
3. The Nephrologist should not receive nor solicit monetary/ financial support or any personal services for self-serving ends.
4. The Nephrologists practice pattern should not be influenced by his/her relationship with the pharmaceutical industry.

Group Practice:

1. The Nephrologist can and may join a group practice with other medical specialists as long as the professional ethics of each subspecialty is observed at all time.
2. Professional fees may be collected as a group or individually, depending upon the agreement of both parties and patients.
3. Patients should be fully informed about the capabilities and expertise of the members of the group, the clinics or the dialysis center.

Implementing Provisions And Sanctions:

1. This Code of Ethics shall be published in the nephrology journal or distributed to each member of the Philippine Society of Nephrology upon approval by the board of directors of the society.
2. Violation of any provisions of the code shall constitute unethical practice and shall be held as ground for sanctions from the association (namely: to reprimand, suspend or expel).
3. The Code of Medical Ethics of the Philippine Medical Association, Philippine College of Physicians and the Philippine Pediatric Society will cover events or provisions not included in this Code.
4. This Code of Medical Ethics can be amended anytime by the Board of Directors of the Philippine Society of Nephrology on the recommendation of the Committee on Ethics.