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Pharmacists in Scotland will be able to choose whether to participate in assisted dying, after an amendment was lodged to the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, at the request of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS).
During a debate on stage two of the bill, held on 18 November 2025, an amendment was put forward by Brian Whittle MSP, seeking to “clarify that a pharmacist should supply the substance to the registered medical practitioner or authorised healthcare professional and would also allow the option to use the conscientious objection clause”.
The amendment said: “An approved substance must only be supplied to a coordinating registered medical practitioner or an authorised health professional by a registered pharmacist, in accordance with the directions of the coordinating registered medical practitioner.”
Whittle told the Scottish parliament that the amendment was one of a number lodged by him on behalf of the RPS.
During the debate, he said he would “remind members [of the Scottish parliament] that those are the actual people who will be at the delivery end of this bill, should it pass”.
The bill completed its passage through stage two on 25 November 2025, and will now move to stage three, the final stage where amendments can be made, before it moves to a final vote at a date yet to be decided.
The RPS has maintained a neutral position on assisted dying, with previous statements supporting pharmacists to be able to choose whether to be part of it, according to their persona beliefs.
In a statement issued on 12 December 2025, the RPS said: “By authorising this specific role in the Bill, this brings the supply of the substance by a pharmacist into scope for the conscientious objection clause, which states that an individual is not under any duty to participate directly in anything authorised by the Act.
“[The] RPS is of the view that if the Bill passes, robust guidance will need to be created, which describes the role of the pharmacist in any assisted death, to provide clarity to pharmacists, other healthcare professionals and patients,” it added.
“[The] RPS stands ready to work with Scottish government and other relevant bodies to produce this guidance.”
The Society has been advocating for pharmacists across Great Britain over assisted dying bills passing through the Holyrood and Westminster parliaments.
In May 2025, following advocacy by the RPS, MPs in the House of Commons passed an amendment to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill that explicitly states that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians would be under no obligation to supply substances to be used in assisted dying.
Laura Wilson, director for Scotland at the RPS, commented: “We are very pleased that, following our representation to MSPs, the amendment which describes the role of pharmacists in supplying the substance has been inserted into the legislation. I would like to thank Brian Whittle MSP for tabling this important amendment. This is a key safeguard, which accurately reflects the role of the pharmacist whilst at the same time providing the pharmacist with the opportunity to choose to supply the substance, or not.
“If this Bill passes stage three and becomes an Act, it will be necessary to provide greater clarity about the role of any pharmacist who chooses to attend an assisted death. We are ready to work with Scottish government and other relevant bodies to clarify this, and ensure that this role reflects pharmacists’ expertise, whilst at the same time is appropriate to their professional scope.”
