France approves assisted dying law

France's Constitutional Council upheld in its entirety the legislation granting adults suffering from an incurable condition the right to assisted dying, while attaching three interpretative conditions. The law, passed by parliament in July after years of debate, allows eligible adults who are French citizens or long-term residents to self-administer a lethal substance, with exceptions for those physically unable to do so. The Council's conditions clarify that doctors must consider observations from legal guardians, pharmacists may refuse to participate on conscience grounds, and private healthcare institutions may refuse to allow the procedure if it is manifestly contrary to their mission, provided other local establishments can meet patients' needs. The ruling paves the way for President Emmanuel Macron to promulgate the law within 15 days, with implementation decrees expected to take several months. France joins the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada in legalizing assisted dying.