Which principle refers to the obligation to avoid causing harm?

The principle that refers to the obligation to avoid causing harm is nonmaleficence. This ethical concept emphasizes the importance of preventing harm to patients in the healthcare setting. It requires healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, to act in ways that do not inflict injury or suffering on others. Nonmaleficence highlights the duty of care that practitioners must uphold, ensuring that their actions or inactions do not lead to harm.

In contrast, fidelity refers to keeping promises and commitments, and being loyal to the patient and profession. Justice relates to fairness and equity in distributing healthcare resources and ensuring all patients receive what they are due. Beneficence involves taking positive actions to benefit others, which includes acting in the best interests of patients. While beneficence and nonmaleficence can be interconnected—since doing good often involves not causing harm—nonmaleficence specifically focuses on avoiding harm as a primary obligation.