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WESTERN MASS PHARMACISTS ANNOUNCE OPPOSITION TO QUESTION 2

From the Catholic Communications Office of the Diocese of Springfield....

October 25, 2012 –The Western Massachusetts Pharmacists Association today announced it is joining with statewide medical organizations such as the Massachusetts Medical Society in urging voters to defeat Question 2, a ballot question that, if passed, would legalize physician-assisted suicide in Massachusetts. 

“The Western Massachusetts Pharmacists Association is opposed to Question 2, and we strongly urge it be rejected on November 6,” said Robert Dobek, Treasurer of the Western Massachusetts Pharmacists Association.  “As pharmacists, our goal is to help people – Question 2 would undermine that.”

More than 250 pharmacists are part of the Western Massachusetts Pharmacists Association.  Dobek pointed to the lack of safeguards in the Question 2 language as the motivating factor for the group’s opposition.

“One of the most critical responsibilities of pharmacists is the role they play in preventing the diversion of drugs,” said Dobek. “Question 2 has no built-in safeguards to track where the medication goes to ensure that the lethal prescription they would give to customers is not going to fall into the wrong hands.”

Dobek added:  “Pharmacists have the responsibility to ensure the rights of all patients are exercised, including the right to know about all available treatment options.  Currently there is a lack of available information among patients on these alternatives such as palliative and hospice care.  The combination of a lack of information and the flaws of Question 2 invite such mistakes, which ultimately prevents pharmacists from doing their job properly.”

The Western Massachusetts Pharmacists Association joins the Massachusetts Medical Society in opposition to Question 2.  The Massachusetts Medical Society is a statewide professional association representing over 24,000 physicians and medical students in the Commonwealth.