Sale of Products and Services to Patients by Podiatrists

Professional Standards Regarding the Sale of Products and Services to Patients by Podiatrists

Preamble

The sale of products or services by podiatrists to patients gives rise to potential ethical problems.

The College endorses the Canadian Medical Association Code of Ethics, as it relates to the sale of products or services by physicians to patients. This standard should be read in conjunction with the College’s Professional Standards Regarding Conflict of Interest for Podiatrists.

Professional Standard(s)

1. Podiatrists must disclose to patients any financial interest they have with the manufacture or sale of a product or service.   
2. As with any clinical decision, the decision to sell products and services must be evidence based. Podiatrists must provide accurate information to the patient about the product or service to ensure the patients ability to make an informed decision.

Resources

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia:

• Professional Standards Regarding Conflict of Interest for Podiatrists
• Professional Standards and Guidelines Regarding Advertising and Public Communications by Podiatrists
• Professional Standards Regarding Interest or Ownership in a Facility or Enterprise for Podiatrists
• Professional Standards Regarding Billing for Podiatrists

Canadian Medical Association:

• CMA Code of Ethics

Acknowledgements

In developing this document the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Nova Scotia incorporated relevant sections of the Canadian Medical Association’s Code of Ethics as included in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia’s document Promotion and Sale of Products, May 2014.

Document History

First approved by the Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia: March 21, 2025