The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has insisted that pharmacists in Scotland must be allowed to choose whether or not to help terminally ill people die in its response to a parliamentary consultation.

If the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill becomes law, it will allow a terminally ill person aged at least 16 years who has lived in Scotland for a minimum of 12 months to undergo assisted dying if they have been assessed by two independent registered medical practitioners as being terminally ill, are of sound mind and have not been pressured to end their life.

The Bill was tabled by the Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur in March and is at first stage of its reading in the Scottish parliament.

Scotland would become the first part of the UK to offer terminally ill people assistance to end their lives if it becomes law and although the RPS said it has a “neutral position” on assisted dying, it stressed it was “vital” an “opt-in section is written into the Bill”.

“All pharmacists should have the right to take part or not take part in the process, depending on their individual religious, moral or ethical beliefs,” the professional leadership body said.

“In our consultation response we made clear that the ability of pharmacists to conscientiously object to assisted dying is essential.”

The RPS revealed it received “differing legal advice” on whether pharmacists would be able to conscientiously object as the Bill stands, even though it contains a conscientious objection clause similar to that found in abortion and assisted reproduction legislation.

That clause was welcomed by Community Pharmacy Scotland this month. However, the RPS questioned whether the Scottish Parliament would have the “competency to legislate on conscientious objection”.

The RPS also said it was concerned “the definition of what constitutes taking part may be too narrow in focus to cover pharmaceutical activity such as preparation, dispensing and supply of medication.”

“In the Bill as drafted, a pharmacist may be present in some circumstances but not in others. There should be clarity and consistency throughout the process,” it said.

The RPS said it would continue to air its view to MSPs and stakeholders across Scotland that an “opt-in section” must be written into the Bill.

“Pharmacists should only be taking part in this process, whether directly or indirectly, where they are comfortable to do so,” the RPS said, insisting pharmacists’ roles in the assisted dying process needed to be “clearly articulated”.

“This would not only support individual healthcare professionals but would also ensure the best patient care and experience.”