Mon 27 July 2026
AdPha backs renewed push to remove telehealth barriers to voluntary assisted dying
Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) has welcomed the reintroduction of legislation to amend the Commonwealth Criminal Code to allow telehealth consultations for voluntary assisted dying (VAD), reaffirming its long-standing call to remove barriers that prevent equitable access to end-of-life care.
The proposed amendment, to be introduced by the Australian Greens and independent MP Kate Chaney as a private member's bill when Parliament resumes in August, would exclude voluntary assisted dying from the definition of "suicide" under the Commonwealth Criminal Code.
AdPha has consistently advocated for this reform, including as a signatory to a joint statement coordinated by Go Gentle Australia and through direct representations to the Attorney-General. The organisation has argued that the current Commonwealth Criminal Code unnecessarily restricts the use of telehealth in VAD, creating significant barriers for patients and clinicians, particularly in rural and regional Australia.
AdPha President, Assoc. Prof. Tom Simpson FANZCAP (Lead&Mgmt), said the proposed reform was a practical and compassionate step towards improving access to lawful healthcare.
'This is about ensuring Australians can access lawful healthcare regardless of where they live. No patient approaching the end of life should be disadvantaged simply because they live hundreds of kilometres from the nearest VAD service.
‘The current legislation was never intended to prevent legitimate clinical care, yet it now forces seriously ill patients and their healthcare teams to navigate unnecessary legal barriers at one of the most difficult times of their lives.
‘As a VAD-credentialed pharmacist, I've seen first-hand how the current law disrupts communication between healthcare professionals.
‘A doctor may call seeking urgent advice after a patient has been unable to take the full prescribed VAD medication. Under the current Commonwealth Criminal Code, a pharmacist may be unable to provide that advice via telephone or video, despite it being critical to the patient's care.
‘It places clinicians in an impossible position - choosing between providing timely, patient-centred care and complying with an outdated Commonwealth law. No healthcare professional should have to make that choice.
‘The law should support good clinical care, not stand in its way.’
Assoc. Prof Simpson said the legislation would bring Commonwealth law into line with contemporary healthcare practice.
‘Modern healthcare relies on timely communication between doctors, pharmacists and other practitioners, whether that's in person or via telehealth.’
‘Telehealth is now an established part of healthcare delivery across Australia. We routinely use electronic prescribing, virtual consultations and digital communication to provide safe, high-quality care. Voluntary assisted dying should not be treated differently when it is being delivered lawfully within state and territory legislation.
‘This reform won't change who is eligible for voluntary assisted dying or the safeguards that already exist. It simply removes an outdated barrier that disproportionately affects patients in rural, regional and remote communities.’
AdPha will continue working with Go Gentle Australia and other stakeholders to advocate for amendments to the Commonwealth Criminal Code that support equitable access to lawful end-of-life care for all Australians.