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The Role of Pharmacy and MAID
UPDATE: On June 17, 2016, the federal government introduced Bill C-14, which decriminalizes medical assistance in dying (MAID). Bill C-14 addresses physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and other health care professionals, and exempts them from prosecution under the Criminal Code. The College has updated its Code of Ethics and the HPA Bylaws for standards of practice in community, hospital and residential care pharmacies to reflect this legislation.
The College is working on amending its updated standards, limits and conditions to MAID to reflect the inclusion of nurse practitioners and other health care professionals as per Bill C-14. Registrants are expected to comply with existing standards, limits and conditions until the updates have been approved by the Board.
Bill C-14 is available on the Parliament of Canada's Website.
The College’s role in Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) continues to evolve.
The federal government did not pass Bill C-14 by the June 6, 2016 deadline, and as such, physician-assisted death is now a legal health care service for individuals who meet the criteria established by the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) in Carter v. Canada (Attorney General).
The temporary measure set by the SCC, which required individuals seeking MAID to apply for a court order that legally authorized physicians and other health care professionals, including pharmacists, to provide MAID, is no longer in effect.
In addition, the College’s Interim Guidance Document on MAID is no longer in effect, as the deadline for federal legislation has expired.
In the absence of federal legislation, the provincial government and health care regulators have worked together to help health care professionals navigate this evolving landscape:
- The BC Ministry of Justice issued new guidelines regarding physician-assisted death that acknowledge various health care professionals, including nurses and pharmacists.
- The College:
- updated its Code of Ethics and practice standards
- created new standards, limits and conditions specific to MAID
- issued guidelines for pharmacists to consider if they choose to participate in MAID
- posted confidential samples of the BC MAID Pre-Printed Prescription Order Form and the Medical Administration Record for MAID on e-Services.
- The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC issued standards and guidelines for MAID.
- The College of Registered Nurses of BC issued new standards for MAID.
It is important to note that certain pharmacy professionals may have a religious or personal conviction that prevents them from participating in the MAID process. The College acknowledges this in its updated Code of Ethics.
For more information on MAID and additional resources, please visit the College website: http://www.bcpharmacists.org/medical-assistance-dying
Note: “Physician-assisted dying” is the term used by the Supreme Court of Canada in Carter and refers to a physician-led process; “Medical assistance in dying” or “MAID” refers to a process led by health professionals, for example, the process described in Bill C-14, that includes various physicians and nurse practitioners.
- Medical Assistance in Dying, MAID
