ethical

An ethical drug, one only dispensed on the prescription of a physician.

Adjective

Of or relating to the study of ethics.
- The philosopher Kant is particularly known for his ethical writings.
Of or relating to the accepted principles of right and wrong, especially those of some organization or profession.
- All employees must familiarize themselves with our ethical guidelines.
- An angry dispute between an animal welfare charity and its former employee will be the first case in Britain to decide whether ethical veganism is a “philosophical belief” that should be afforded the same protections as...
Morally approvable; good.
- We are trying to decide what the most ethical course of action would be.
Only dispensed on the prescription of a physician.
- In most jurisdictions, morphine is classified as an ethical drug.

Origin

From ethic + -al, from Late Latin ethicus (“moral, ethical”), from Ancient Greek ἠθικός (ēthikós, “of or for morals, moral, expressing character”), from ἦθος (êthos, “character, moral nature”).