RPS is actively engaging with policymakers in both the UK and Scottish Parliaments, as two separate Bills on assisted dying progress through both legislatures. If both Bills pass, Assisted Dying will be legalised in England, Wales and Scotland.

RPS is neutral on the principle of assisted dying, but not the process. It is essential that pharmacy’s voice is heard so that any legislation which is developed protects pharmacists’ right to conscientiously object, fully utilises pharmacists’ skills and provides clarity about the role of the pharmacists in any process which is developed.

England and Wales

In May this year, RPS won an exemption clause within the Westminster legislation, which ensures that conscientious objection, if the Bill passes, will extend to the supply of an approved substance to a registered medical practitioner.

On 5 November, Laura Wilson, Director for Scotland, provided oral evidence to the House of Lords committee examining the proposed Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

In her evidence, Laura focused on the ethical and practical considerations facing pharmacists such as:

• Medicines governance and the important role of pharmacists in developing regulations, standards and guidance.

• Mandatory training and support for healthcare professionals.
• Legal protections to ensure pharmacists are not compelled to act against their professional or personal beliefs and are fully protected from criminal liability.

The session also focused on the need for development of a robust evidence base and how international experience could be drawn on to aid implementation.

If Parliament passes the Bill, the RPS has called for further consultation with the Government, NHS, health professions and others as to how an assisted dying service would be implemented, including on key issues such as regulation, standards, guidance and training.

You can watch Laura’s oral evidence session in full here.

Scotland

Last year, Fiona McIntyre, Policy and Practice Lead for Scotland, provided oral evidence to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee at Scottish Parliament, and highlighted: 

• It should be made clear what the role of the pharmacist is when accompanying a doctor or nurse during the assisted death process, and when it would be appropriate, or not, for them to intervene, for example if there were any adverse reactions to the substance taken.
• It is vital that an opt in section is written into the Bill, in order that no pharmacist or other health professional is compelled to support an assisted dying process either directly or indirectly.
• To strengthen the procedure from a pharmaceutical perspective, the role of pharmacists should be clearly articulated. There should be clear expectations and a consistent process particularly around responsibility for the substance used to support an assisted death at all stages.

The Scottish Parliament’s Health Social Care and Sport Committee are currently debating and voting on amendments to the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, at Stage 2. This is the part of the legislative process where MSPs make amendments to the legislation as introduced, to improve or clarify various aspects of the Bill.

RPS has worked with MSPs to draft five amendments to the Bill, which if passed would which provide much needed clarity about the role of the pharmacist in the assisted dying process, and which will support a pharmacist’s right to either take part, or not take part in the process, according to their ethical, moral or religious beliefs. We are expecting to hear if these amendments have been voted through, by the end of November.