“Death was a Blessing” – Should it Ever be Pharmaceutically Hastened? British Pharmacists’ Views

The authors investigated the views & experiences of British pharmacists in physician-assisted suicide (PAS) & voluntary active euthanasia (VAE) & examined whether differences in views were associated with personal characteristics. 295 pharmacists responded to questionnaires & 83% reported that at times, a person had the right to choose their own manner of death. 61% & 53% thought that there should be changes in the law to legalize VAE & PAS, respectively. Those with religious beliefs were significantly less likely to favor either practice. (12 refs)