Hi all
One of the hot issues in South Africa at the moment is that of
assisted suicide. Pharmacists will - if such a practice is made
legal in our country - be involved in the supply of the medication
necessary to effect euthanasia. The South African Association of
Hospital and Institutional Pharmacists (SAAHIP) was recently
challenged to respond to this issue. The policy statement produced
has been lodged on our web site:
http://www.saahip.org.za
(under POLICY - SAAHIP Position Paper on the Pharmacist’s Role
in Assisted Suicide).
The basic position is as follows:
SAAHIP reaffirms the basic principle underlying the SAAHIP
Position Paper on the Pharmacist’s Role in Termination of
Pregnancy, in that it recognises the pharmacist’s right to
conscientious objection to involvement in actions that offend her/his
moral, religious or ethical views. However, in recognition of the
primacy of patient rights, it supports the establishment of systems
that protect the patient’s access to legally prescribed treatments,
while reasonably accommodating the pharmacist’s right of
conscientious objection. Furthermore, it urges all members to work
towards overcoming the barriers to adequate end-of-life care
identified by the ASHP.
On the substantive matter of assisted suicide, SAAHIP is guided
by the decision of our American colleagues, and adopts a position
of informed neutrality.
This position was developed with the demands of Pharmaceutical
Care in mind. We would welcome comments from pharmacists in
other countries, especially those who practise in settings where
assisted suicide is already legal.
regards
Andy
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