Citation

Kimsma GK. Journal of Pharmaceutical Care in Pain and Symptom Control 1996; 4(1-2): 193-210.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996)

DOI

10.1300/j088v04n01-2_03

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In The Netherlands euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are legally pardoned if certain conditions are met. After portraying the development of euthanasia as a public and legal issue, this paper describes the pharmaceutical aspects of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. In 1977, 1980, 1987, and 1994, information on means to end life has been formulated, revised, and made available to physicians and pharmacists; this information is summarized and analysed here. In spite of the reality of this practice in The Netherlands and the expanded knowledge of euthanatic drugs now available, there are some remaining dilemmas concerning legality, choices between euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, unrequested ending of life, and practical medical issues of communication with patients.

Language: en

Keywords

human; Ethics; decision making; Euthanasia; Netherlands; medical ethics; article; euthanasia; medicolegal aspect; doctor patient relation; Physician-assisted suicide; drug information; Law; The Netherlands; Euthanatica; Euthanzing drugs