The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 278 No 7438 p164
10 February 2007

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Letters to the Editor

Physician assisted suicide

Sometimes in the patient’s best interest

From Mrs A. B. V. Chalmers, MRPharmS

I find the plea made by Mark Donaghy (PJ, 3 February, p133) for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society to state that pharmacists object to the use of pharmaceuticals for intentionally killing patients far too sweeping and high-handed when one considers the context in which he makes it.

Perhaps Mr Donaghy has never seen extreme suffering in a human being, suffering which renders life to the holder more objectionable than the prospect of oblivion through death. If physicians are to assist in putting such patients out of their misery by either providing the drugs or, where the patient is so incapacitated as not to be able to manage administration for themselves, actually administering the drugs, then who are we to withhold the provision?

Of course, there should be a conscience clause, not only for pharmacists but also for physicians not wanting personal involvement in such a procedure.

I see the role of medical and paramedical professionals as being one of a duty of care and to act in the best interests of a patient. Sometimes, physician-assisted suicide or voluntary euthanasia is that best interest. The “conscientious” pharmacist should tell the prescribing physician which is the nearest pharmacy at which to obtain the necessary pharmaceuticals.

Anthonia Chalmers
London

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