The ethics of using placebo medication in a non-capacitous patient

Abstract

This paper presents a case of a non-capacitous patient who was prescribed placebo medication, as a 'best interest' decision under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Good and safe effect was achieved in treating the patient's anxiety. This paper argues that in the non-capacitous patient, the principles of beneficence and justice may outweigh those of autonomy and, therefore, prescription of placebo medication should be more widely considered for this significant group of patients.