*** DEATH WITH DIGNITY PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT ***

*** DEATH WITH DIGNITY PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT ***

 

July 17, 2017

 

The District of Columbia recently passed the “Death with Dignity Act of 2016” (DC Law 21-182 et seq.).  The Death with Dignity law provides for District of Columbia residents, qualified with a terminal disease, to die in a humane and peaceful manner through the voluntary use of prescribed medications.  The Death with Dignity program is now live and accepting registrations from qualified physicians and eligible patients.

 

The District of Columbia Department of Health (Department) is responsible for the implementation and regulation of the Death with Dignity program. The Department’s primary responsibilities include providing educational resources about the Death with Dignity process and clarifying the requirements for physicians, patients, and pharmacists.  Other departments and agencies within the District of Columbia government have roles in the law’s implementation to facilitate coordination of services and emergency response if requested by a participating patient.

 

To fulfill its primary responsibilities, the Department of Health has launched a web site (https://doh.dc.gov/page/death-dignity-act-2016) with instructions and forms for terminally ill patients, physicians, and pharmacists who wish to participate in the program. Physicians, who choose to participate in the Death with Dignity program must be licensed in the District of Columbia, complete the physician training module (https://doh.dc.gov/page/death-dignity-act-2016-education-module) and register via the physician portal on the Death with Dignity website.  Patients who wish to participate must show proof of current residency in the District of Columbia, have a terminal illness, which is expected to result in death within six (6) months, complete the patient training module (https://doh.dc.gov/page/death-dignity-act-2016-education-module) and meet other requirements as outlined in the patient training module.

 

The attending physician is responsible for delivering the prescription to a pharmacy located and registered in the District of Columbia. The prescription can be delivered personally or by telephone, facsimile, or electronically. The attending physician cannot give the prescription to the patient. Upon dispensing the covered medication, the pharmacist must immediately notify the attending physician electronically and email the Pharmacy Dispensing Record form to the Department of Health at deathwithdignitydc@dc.gov.

 

The Death with Dignity Program is a new and detailed process. The Department encourages anyone with questions to review the materials on our website (https://doh.dc.gov/page/death-dignity-act-2016), call (202) 724-8800 or email: deathwithdignitydc@dc.gov.