EXCLUSIVE

Half of pharmacists would not assist with a suicide even if it was legalised, according to a C+D poll.

Despite the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) drafting plans for Scottish pharmacists to assist with suicides if the law was changed, as revealed by C+D last month, 48 per cent of 231 respondents to the poll said this would not “fit with their role as a care-giver”.

Thirty-four per cent of respondents to the poll – which ran between January 28 and February 2 – said they would be willing to assist in a legal suicide if they were given the appropriate training, while 18 per cent said they could not be sure until the law was changed.

The Scottish government is currently debating a bill to legally allow someone to assist with a suicide in certain circumstances. MSPs are expected to vote on the bill just after Easter and, if it is passed, the RPS will put together a list of pharmacists who are trained and willing to participate in the scheme.

The news prompted a range of reaction on the C+D site. Locum pharmacist Alisdair Jones said the RPS’s approach seemed “valid” and would give people “the choice about whether they want to be involved”.

“At least the RPS is producing some meaningful information. It’s only a matter of time before this law makes its way south of the border,” Mr Jones said.

Locum dispenser Benjamin D’Montigny described the news as a “progressive step [for] humanity” but questioned how much input a pharmacist would have into the process compared with a doctor or a psychiatrist.

Community pharmacist Stephen Eggleston said he hoped pharmacists would give “careful consideration” to whether they wanted to be involved. “If such a system comes into being in England, I would have no hesitation in opting in [if] the appropriate training and guidance has been made available,” Mr Eggleston said.

Numark director of pharmacy services Mimi Lau said deciding whether to take part would be a “difficult decision for some pharmacists to take”.

The government would need to “crystallise” any questions about patient consent and access to records before pharmacists were able to make “an informed choice”, she stressed. “Pharmacists must not feel they are under duress.”

Community Pharmacy Scotland pharmacy services manager Matt Barclay said the negotiating body had submitted a response to the Scottish government’s consultation on the proposed law on behalf of its members, which he described as a “neutral view” that pointed out the practical elements.

Pharmacy Voice told C+D it was “aware of the development” and was “developing a policy position” by working with its pharmacy practice working group.

 

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