An amendment has been added to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill that specifically exempts pharmacists from participating in supplying medication for assisted dying, if that is what they choose to do.

The bill, with its added amendments, will be debated in the House of Commons tomorrow (Friday), before it then moves to the House of Lords for further consideration.

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The amendment relating to pharmacists follows concerns raised by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) that the opt-out clause may be interpreted as relating to a narrow range of activities considered 'assistance'.

The RPS said that the clauses on conscientious objection should clearly extend to all activities associated with assisted dying, including supply of the drugs involved in the process.

The new amendment, due to be debated tomorrow, both states that ‘no person is under any duty to participate in the provision of assistance in accordance with this Act’, and also specifically states that: ‘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 RPS has a neutral stance on assisted dying. RPS president Professor Claire Anderson said today: 'I know there are a range of views on assisted dying across the profession and many members have had questions about what this might mean for pharmacy teams.

Related Article: Pharmacist MPs among split opinions as assisted dying bill vote passes

'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.'

And she urged MPs to support this amendment and 'ensure that the Bill allows pharmacists and their teams to exercise freedom of conscience'.

Related Article: UK CPhOs issue advice to pharmacists on assisted dying debate

Company Chemists’ Association chief executive Malcolm Harrison also welcomed the amendment.

'Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians should not be obligated to participate in any aspect of assisted dying if it is against their personal beliefs,' he said.