Question

A patient with a rare, progressive liver disease that is invariably fatal after a long and arduous period of debility has stated several times that he wishes to end his life by his own hand “when the time comes.” During his most recent visit to his physician, he asks the physician to write him a prescription for “an assuredly lethal dose” of the medication he has been taking. The physician writes the prescription, then tears it up and says, “I can’t do that.” Then, he tells the patient how many tablets would be needed for “an assuredly fatal dose.” Did the physician do the right thing? Describe some of the legal and ethical ramifications of this conduct by the physician.

Answer 1

The legal ramifications which a physician can face are

• If a patient is terminally ill and they want to end their life with a help of a provider is called as physician assisted suicide which needs getting approval by the patient from the government then the physician can prescribe the drug.It takes a brief process to get the prescription. A doctor prescribing even a lethal dose is a considered the same,so without the approval the physician is legally punishable and can even loose the license for practicing .Prescribing lethal dose is medical malpractice .
• The ethical consideration is the patients wishes to end his life because of his illness (severe pain,mental stress,financial crisis, family concerns,societal issues) As the patient has the rights to make medical decision ,getting prescription of heavy dose is not ethical and legal for the patient as well as the physician. It is the duty of the physician to explain the process if the patient falls in particular category.