State Sen. Chuck McIlhinney has introduced legislation intended to help patients who suffer from a terminal illness to pursue a broader range of treatment options. Senate Bill 569 would allow eligible patients who have a terminal illness to use investigational drugs, biological products and devices not yet approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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The legislation would permit the use of treatment options only if they have passed Phase 1 of the FDA review process, but have not been approved for use outside of clinical trials. The treatments would be available only to patients who have a terminal illness or meet other qualifying requirements.
“The FDA’s approval process for experimental drugs and treatments can take several years, but patients who are dealing with a terminal illness do not have the luxury of time to wait,” McIlhinney said. “The FDA serves a critical function in protecting patients from ineffective or unsafe medications, but individuals who have critical health care needs — and few medical alternatives — deserve the right to explore potentially life-saving treatment options that are still mired in clinical trials.”
The “Right to Try” bill mirrors legislation that has already been approved in 31 states. ••