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Precise word usage is critically important. The terms "brain dead" and "PVS" have medical and legal meaning. It's analogous to the difference between the terms "baby" and "fetus". The issues are complex enough without confusing things even more through careless misuse of terminology.

A "brain-dead" person is dead. A person in a PVS is not.

"Precise word usage is critically important."

I agree. Which is why I questioned your (incorrect) statement, "the pills work on people in a PVS".

"The terms "brain dead" and "PVS" have medical and legal meaning."

Yes, and so do the terms "brain damaged", "severly brain damaged", "vegetative state", and "persistent vegetative state".

"A "brain-dead" person is dead. A person in a PVS is not."

Correct. But they do have things in common. Neither will recover. Both are on artificial life support. Neither has consciousness or ever will again.

And both are using valuable and precious hospital resources that can be better used to keep alive someone who has a chance at living.

From Lewis, A Latin Dictionary:

fetus (foet- ), ûs

I. Abstr., a bringing forth, bearing, dropping, hatching of young (rare but class.)
B. Transf., of plants, a bearing, producing
II. Concr., young, offspring, progeny, brood
2. Transf., of plants, fruit, produce:

Have the lawyers hijacked the word?