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