Pharmacists should not be obligated to participate in assisted dying – RPS

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has expressed a neutral stance on assisted dying, while emphasising the importance of certain safeguards in any proposed legislation. In particular, they have urged the Bill Committee to include clauses addressing conscientious objection and criminal liability for health professionals involved. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which passed its second reading on 29 November 2024, would allow terminally ill adults to request assistance in ending their life, subject to safeguards and protections. The RPS has submitted a written response to a House of Commons committee examining the Bill, urging consideration of several key points. The RPS insisted that there should be “no obligation for any pharmacist to participate in any aspect of assisted dying if they feel this is against their personal beliefs.” Instead, they proposed an “opt-in” model, allowing pharmacists and other healthcare professionals to choose to participate in aspects of assisted dying by completing the necessary training, rather than being required to “opt out.” “This would help avoid the need for anyone ethically opposed to assisted dying to signpost to another health professional, as this can also pose an ethical dilemma.” “This opt-in model would also help identify where it may be more difficult to access health professionals who are willing to support assisted dying, such as in a specific care setting or in remote regions,” it explained.