Key Summary
- RPS Scotland’s Laura Wilson gave evidence to the Lords on the assisted dying bill
- She outlined key ethical, practical and legal considerations facing pharmacists
- RPS is neutral but wants protections and further consultation if the bill progresses
The director for Scotland at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), Laura Wilson, gave oral evidence to the House of Lords Committee examining the proposed Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
The Bill seeks to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales, and it is separate from a different Bill on assisted dying being discussed by the Scottish Parliament.
In her evidence, Laura listed some of the ethical and practical considerations facing pharmacists.
They include, medicines governance and the important role of pharmacists in developing regulations, standards and guidance; mandatory training and support for healthcare professionals; and legal protections to ensure pharmacists are not compelled to act against their professional or personal beliefs and are fully protected from criminal liability.
The RPS has adopted a neutral stand on the principle of assisted dying, but has strongly advocated for protections for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who choose not to participate in the procedure.
In May this year, RPS won an exemption clause ensuring that conscientious objection was extended to the supply of an approved substance to a registered medical practitioner.
Even after the passage of the bill in Parliament, the RPS wants further consultation with the Government, NHS, health professions and others as to how it would be implemented.
