Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The “educational” role of pharmacists with regard to patients, to guide them to a correct use of medicines “is above all to make known the ethical implications of the use of certain drugs” the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI underlined on 29 October when he addressed participants at the 25th International Conference of Catholic Pharmacists on the theme: "The new frontiers of pharmaceutical activity.”.
“In this field - said Benedict XVI -, we cannot anesthetize consciences as regards, for example, the effect of certain molecules that have the goal of preventing the implantation of the embryo or shortening a person's life. Pharmacists must seek to raise people's awareness so that all human beings are protected from conception to natural death, and so that medicines truly play a therapeutic role," the Pope said and stressed how "all attempts at cure or experimentation must be undertaken while bearing in mind the wellbeing of the person concerned, and not only the pursuit of scientific progress." He added, "the quest for the good of humanity cannot proceed at the expense of the wellbeing of the people being treated."… Benedict urged the pharmacists to consider conscientious objection a right that must be recognized for their profession, "so as to enable them not to collaborate directly or indirectly in supplying products that have clearly immoral purposes such as, for example, abortion or euthanasia."
The Pope recalled that the different pharmaceutical structures must promote solidarity in the field of therapy, “to guarantee access to treatment and drugs of prime necessity to all sectors of the public and in every country, especially to the poorest people”. Catholic pharmacists should draw “from a life of faith and the teaching of the Church” elements to guide them in the profession to assist the sick, “in need of human and moral help to live in hope and find the inner resources which will help them day after day!” It is up to Catholic pharmacists to help young people entering the various pharmaceutical professions to “reflect on the increasingly delicate moral implications of their activity and decisions”. Pope Benedict XVI urged Catholic healthcare professionals and all men and women of goodwill to “strive to be increasingly better informed not only at the technical level but also with regard to bio-ethical issues”.
“The human person, created in the image of God. Must always be the centre of research and decisions in biomedical matters - the Pontiff concluded -. Biomedical sciences are at the service of man; otherwise they will be cold and inhuman. Scientific knowledge in the field of healthcare and therapeutic activity are at the service of the patient, considered in his or her whole being, who should take and active part in the treatment received and be respected in his or her autonomy ”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 30/10/2007; righe 34, parole 476)
