Enhancing multicultural pharmacy education through ethical debates: Fostering critical thinking and cultural competence

Purpose: This reflective practice examines the integration of ethical debates as an assessment method in pharmacy education, focusing on their role in fostering critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and cultural competence. Description: Rooted in principles of Multicultural Pharmacy Education and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, ethical debates engage students in articulating and defending ethical positions across diverse cultural contexts. Interpretation: Benefits include an enhanced understanding of cultural influences on ethical decision-making, promotion of respect for diverse viewpoints, and preparation for practice in multicultural healthcare settings. Conclusion: Reflecting on feedback processes reveals opportunities for improvement in providing more personalised, culturally contextual feedback to support student development effectively. This reflection highlights the transformative impact of ethical debates on both teaching practices and student learning, highlighting their implications for enhancing pharmacy education and fostering inclusive healthcare practices. Implications: Future actions include refining feedback mechanisms and promoting faculty development to align with MPE principles and support continuous student learning and professional development.