X-Message-Number: 9503 Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 23:16:54 -0700 From: David Brandt-Erichsen <> Subject: Oregon update The following is a press release from the Oregon State Pharmacists Association, of Salem, Oregon. ....................... National Pharmacist Assn Endorses Rights of Dying Patients and Rights to Pharmacists Concerning Life-Ending Medication ......................... The nation's largest pharmacist organization passed a resolution recently recognizing the rights of dying patients to receive medication from their physician and pharmacist under state laws like the Oregon Death With Dignity law. Passed at the annual convention of the American Pharmaceutical Assn, the resolution "supports the establishment of systems to ensure patient access to legally prescribed therapy without compromising the pharmacist's right of concientious refusal." Pharmacists in Oregon have tangled with physicians over the right to refuse to participate in the Death With Dignity law. While pharmacists want to be notified as to the intent of a prescription written under the law, the Oregon Medical Assn. had balked. The national pharmacist's position supports the efforts of Oregon pharmacists to participate or refuse to participate as the law allows, according to Paige Clark, a spokesperson for the Oregon Pharmacists Assn. "Like any health care professional, pharmacists should have the right to participate or refuse to participate in assisted dying under Oregon's law," said Clark. "We have pledged to work with physicians and patients in a spirit of cooperation and understanding, allowing pharmacists the right to decide for themselves if they want to dispense life-ending medication under the law Oregon voters passed in l994." Clark, who will likely serve on a national board to review the issue for the APhA, said it was important for pharmacists across the nation to clarify their position. "There are many pharmacists who will dispense medication under this Act, and they will do so with the same kind of caring attitude with which they treat their patients on all other matters. For those pharmacists who prefer to opt out, this language supports their right to do so. And that right can only be enforced when the pharmacists knows what the prescription is to be used for," Clark said. Clark pointed out that, according to Hannah Davidson of Oregon Death With Dignity Legal Defense and Education Center, 70 pharmacists from throughout the state have joined a group called 'Pharmacists for Death With Dignity' in response to a letter sent out by the center. "Pharmacists will continue to work toward safe implementationi of the new law to insure the rights of pharmacists and patients," said Clark. 4.16.98 For more information: Paige Clark 503/288-7574 ext. 254 Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=9503