Laura Wilson, Director for Scotland at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), gave oral evidence today 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. It is separate from a different Bill on assisted dying being discussed by the Scottish Parliament.

RPS has adopted a neutral position 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.

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.

Watch Laura speak on Parliament TV:

 

Read the Pharmaceutical Journal’s survey of pharmacists' personal views of assisted dying.

Read more RPS news stories.