Aid-In-Dying Practice in the United States Legal and Ethical Perspectives for Pharmacy

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Introduction

Physician-assisted suicide is legal in 4 U.S. States; and remains a moral and professional predicament for pharmacists. This article briefly reviews ‘aid in dying’ options such as euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the United States. It also attempts to look at the role of a pharmacist in assisted-suicides, legal, ethical and professional challenges that they face and future implications on pharmacist education in order to enable them to make an educated decision about their involvement in aid in dying practices.

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Role of Pharmacists

Despite a heightened awareness and strong opinions about physician-assisted suicide, not much is known about the rights and responsibilities of other non-physician health care professionals, especially pharmacists. Given that pharmacists play a key role of dispensing the drugs used in assisted suicide, there is an imperative need to have legal provisions for participating pharmacists; which provide specific information about the role and responsibilities of a pharmacist in physician-assisted

Implications for Pharmcists and Pharmcy Education

With growing efforts to legalize this practice in other States, there will be an increasing demand for pharmacists willing to dispense the lethal medications. Therefore, it is very important for pharmacists to stay updated about the state legislature as well as the impact of this law on their professional practice in order to make an informed decision about their conscientious right to participate or refuse to dispense the lethal drugs.

It also becomes imperative for pharmacy educators to inform

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