Member

Amendment 712 would introduce a requirement for approved substances under the Bill to be licensed, approved and supported by sufficient clinical evidence of safety, quality and efficacy. It would also require the Secretary of State to set evidential standards consistent with General Medical Council guidance and for practitioners to comply with Section 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. In the Bill as drafted, Clause 27 provides that only substances specified by the Secretary of State may be prescribed for use in assisted dying, ensuring appropriate scrutiny and control. The additional licensing and evidential requirements in this amendment would duplicate existing provisions in the Bill. This could lead to additional complexity and reduce clarity around the requirements for a substance to be approved. The amendment would introduce a licensing and approval requirement that may not be viable within the existing regulatory framework.