OTTAWA, May 30, 2016 /CNW/ - The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) urges parliamentarians to pass Bill C-14 to ensure that the necessary legislative framework is in place by the June 6 deadline. CPhA believes that Bill C-14 strikes the appropriate balance between ensuring Canadians' right to access to assisted dying while providing the necessary protections for health care professionals who choose to participate in assisted dying.
As the dispensers of medication and the experts in drug therapy, we believe that pharmacists are integral members of health care teams who provide care throughout the end-of-life journey, including medical assistance in dying. Since the Supreme Court of Canada issued its ruling, CPhA has worked extensively with its members to understand the implications of the ruling and the potential impact on pharmacists across the country.
Although medical assistance in dying (MAID) is a complex issue that will require ongoing oversight, CPhA believes that Bill C-14 currently provides the appropriate exemption for pharmacists under the Criminal Code and reflects their unique role as the dispensers of drugs. Over the coming weeks and months, CPhA will be working with its members to ensure that provincial and territorial regulations and practice guidelines provide appropriate guidance for pharmacists.
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About the Canadian Pharmacists Association
The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is the uniting national voice of pharmacy and the pharmacist profession in Canada. As pharmacists undertake an enhanced role in the delivery of health care services, CPhA ensures that the profession is recognized as a national leader in health care, influencing the policies, programs, budgets and initiatives affecting the profession and the health of Canadians. More information is available at www.pharmacists.ca.
SOURCE Canadian Pharmacists Association
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Mark McCondach, Director of Communications, Canadian Pharmacists Association, [email protected], (613) 523-7877 Ext. 285
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