Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will be able to choose whether to participate in assisted dying procedures if the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is passed after the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) secured a key exemption clause for the professions.
During the Bill’s Committee stage, the RPS called for MPs to clarify that clauses on conscientious objection for health professionals in section 23 should extend to all activities associated with assisted dying and not be limited to a narrower interpretation of the ‘provision of assistance’.
An amendment has now been tabled to strengthen the Bill’s clause on conscience objection, which notes that ‘no person is under any duty to participate in the provision of assistance in accordance with this Act’.
The amendment includes a specific reference to the pharmacy professions, stating: ‘No registered pharmacist or registered pharmacy technician is under any duty to participate in the supply of an approved substance to a registered medical practitioner for use in accordance with section 23.’
The Bill returns to the House of Commons for debate on 16 May 2025 ahead of its transfer to the House of Lords for further consideration.
Legislative protections for pharmacy professionals
The RPS officially has a neutral stance on assisted dying and has championed legislative protections for pharmacy professionals that would enable them to take part, or not take part, in the assisted dying process, depending on their individual religious, moral or ethical beliefs.
Acknowledging the wide range of views on assisted dying across the pharmacy professions, RPS president Professor Claire Anderson said: ‘The proposed amendment is a welcome recognition of pharmacists’ right to conscientious objection.
‘Pharmacists should not unknowingly be involved in supporting an assisted dying procedure, directly or indirectly, without their consent.
‘I urge MPs to support this amendment and ensure that the Bill allows pharmacists and their teams to exercise freedom of conscience.’
This comes as the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill passed a stage-one vote in the Scottish Parliament on 14 May 2025.
The Private Members Bill, introduced by Liam McArthur MSP, was backed by 70 MSPs, with 54 MSPs voting against, and will now move to stage two during which amendments to the draft legislation can be brought forwards.
‘The RPS is of the opinion that it is vital that an opt-in clause is written into the Bill,’ they said.
Advice from CPhOs around assisted dying debate
In November, the four UK chief pharmaceutical officers and other pharmacy leaders issued advice to members of the pharmacy professions who want to take part in the public debate around assisted dying.
They said it is ‘entirely reasonable’ for pharmacists and pharmacist technicians to give their opinions and that ‘the public would expect that’.
But they urged caution and identified some ‘obvious things that should be avoided’ to protect all those involved.
