Is a pharmacist legally obligated to fill a prescription for assisted
suicide when the physician has fully complied with Oregon's Death with
Dignity Act?  I understand that the Oregon Board of Pharmacy
threatened the Oregon Medical Association with a lawsuit (ca. 1997) if
an exemption was not offered, and it was up to the Board of Medical
Examiners to work out a compromise, but I can't seem to find the
resolution.  I am already aware that a physician (in lieu of a
pharmacist) may seek qualification to dispense the medication.

Hello gradgirl-ga,

At the outset, I should emphasize the disclaimer at the bottom of this
page, which states that answers and comments on Google Answers are
general information, and not intended to substitute for informed
professional legal (or medical) advice.  If you need an up-to-date and
expert opinion on the legality of conduct in Oregon, you should
consult an attorney licensed to practice in Oregon.

From my layman's perspective as a Google Answers Researcher, it does
not appear that the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners has a rule on
this issue.  (This may not be surprising, since the Board's home page
does not indicate that the Board regulates pharmacists.)  You have
probably found the same thing that I found: a rule that does not seem
to say whether a pharmacist who receives a prescription for the
purpose of physician-assisted suicide is required to fill it.

"Topics of Interest - Death With Dignity"
Oregon Board of Medical Examiners
http://www.bme.state.or.us/topics.html#PHYSICIAN_ASSISTED_SUICIDE

However, the Task Force to Improve the Care of Terminally-Ill
Oregonians, convened by the Oregon Health & Science University, has
put together a guidebook on the Death With Dignity Act, which
addresses this issue.  The chapter on ethics for pharmacists states:

"The Act states, 'No health care provider shall be under any duty,
whether by contract, by statute or by any other legal requirement to
participate in the provision to a qualified patient of medication to
end his or her life in a humane and dignified manner.'  ...  As
defined by the Act, the term 'health care provider' includes the
pharmacist and a 'health care facility'."

This chapter mentions considerations that pharmacists should consider
when "choosing whether or not to participate", and explains what "the
non-participating pharmacist" should or may do.

"10.  Ethical Issues for Pharmacists and Published Pharmacy
Information", by Gary Schnabel, R.N., R.Ph., Joseph Schnabel,
Pharm.D., R.Ph. (written February 1998; revised September 2002)
"The Oregon Death With Dignity Act: A Guidebook for Health Care
Providers"
Oregon Health & Science University: Center for Ethics in Health Care 
http://www.ohsu.edu/ethics/chapter10.htm

Another chapter contains additional information concerning the
pharmacist's decision whether or not to participate, especially in a
section on "The Physician's Responsibility to Other Health Care
Providers".

"7. Attending Physician and Consulting Physician", by Patrick Dunn,
M.D., Bonnie Reagan, M.D., R.N., Frank Baumeister, M.D. (originally
written 1998; revised August 2002)
"The Oregon Death With Dignity Act: A Guidebook for Health Care
Providers"
Oregon Health & Science University: Center for Ethics in Health Care
http://www.ohsu.edu/ethics/chapter7.htm

I hope that this information is helpful.

- justaskscott-ga


I used the following search terms, individually and in combinations,
on Google:

"death with dignity"
oregon
"board of medical examiners"
pharmacist
site:state.or.us
site:bme.state.or.us

Very quick.  Thank you.