Today, Fiona McIntyre, Policy and Practice Lead at Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Scotland, provided evidence to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee at The Scottish Parliament as part of its inquiry into the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.

In a wide-ranging evidence session, Fiona highlighted that the ability of pharmacists (and other healthcare professionals) to express their right to conscientiously object to any assisted death is of vital importance. Fiona also stressed to the Committee the importance of ensuring that any part of the assisted dying process, such as preparation or supply of the substance, which requires the input of a healthcare professional, should be covered by the requirement to opt-in.

The evidence session comes ahead of a House of Commons debate on a Private Members' Bill on assisted dying on Friday 29 November. Last month the RPS wrote to the MP who has brought forward the Bill to reiterate our position that any proposed legislation must include clauses on criminal liability and conscientious objection. 

During today’s evidence session, Fiona made several key points, including:

• The role of pharmacists goes far beyond the supply of medicine. Whilst pharmacists are specified in the Bill, the precise role for pharmacists is unclear, and this should be clearly described. 
• 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.
• It would be preferable to ensure that the substance used to support an assisted death is a licenced product to protect both the public and health professionals.

Commenting on the evidence session, Fiona said:

“The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has a neutral position on the principle of assisted dying, however, is actively engaged in the Bill development process to ensure the role of pharmacists is clearly understood and that appropriate safeguards are in place should the draft Bill progress to legislation.

"Today was a good opportunity to discuss, with the Committee, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s policy on assisted dying, and in particular, our views on some of the ways which the Bill could be strengthened, particularly to ensure no pharmacist is compelled to support an assisted dying process either directly or indirectly.

"As drafted, the Bill is unclear what the precise role of pharmacists in the assisted dying process is.  I hope that after today’s evidence session the Bill can be strengthened so this is more clearly defined for the benefit of the pharmacy workforce and the patients they care for.

“We look forward to further engagement on the Bill with MSPs from across the Parliament as it progresses through its various stages and iterations.”