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Italian Health Agencies Find No Device for Libera’s Self-Administration, Prompting Plea for Doctor Assistance

With no viable self-administration device, the Florence case now hinges on whether a physician can be authorized without criminal risk.

Overview

  • The Ministry of Health, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità and the Consiglio Superiore di Sanità told the Florence tribunal that no suitable technology exists to let the patient autonomously dose a lethal drug.
  • Libera, 55, has multiple sclerosis and is paralyzed from the neck down, and despite an ASL authorization in July 2024 she cannot carry out an assisted suicide without help.
  • The Constitutional Court in July directed urgent national and international checks on devices, and the new technical opinions confirm none are available.
  • Saying her suffering is intolerable, Libera asked for immediate authorization for her trusted doctor to administer the substance.
  • Her lawyers note that a physician could face prosecution under penal code article 579, while activist Marco Cappato warned of possible civil disobedience if authorities do not provide a solution.