The Briefing Room

General Category => Health/Education => Topic started by: 240B on March 13, 2018, 10:24:08 am

Title: House to vote on allowing terminally ill patients to try experimental drugs
Post by: 240B on March 13, 2018, 10:24:08 am

Washington Examiner
by Kimberly Leonard
March 13, 2018 12:01 AM

The House is poised to pass legislation Tuesday that would allow people with terminal illnesses to use drugs that are still being tested by the government.

The legislation has the support of President Trump, who called on Congress to pass the bill during his State of the Union address, and Vice President Mike Pence, who signed an Indiana bill into law when he was governor.

The policy, referred to as "Right to Try," has been passed in at least 38 states, but the laws are not allowed to circumvent federal law that says drugs must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration before they can be given to patients. Under the bill, patients would be able to request access to medicines as long as they had passed the first phase of scientific review, which determines whether a medication is safe for people but not whether it works. Drug companies would not be required to provide the drugs to patients who request them.

Conservative groups such as the Goldwater Institute and FreedomWorks have urged its passage, saying that patients should have the right to take drugs that might save their lives, but critics say that it gives patients false hope and undermines the government's oversight process. They also point out that the FDA already allows for patients to have some access through a program known as "compassionate use." Under that process, the FDA and an expert on an advisory board must approve the request.

(more)
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/healthcare/house-to-vote-on-right-to-try-bill-allowing-terminally-ill-patients-to-try-experimental-drugs
Title: Re: House to vote on allowing terminally ill patients to try experimental drugs
Post by: Applewood on March 13, 2018, 10:27:41 am
Should be a no brainer. 
Title: Re: House to vote on allowing terminally ill patients to try experimental drugs
Post by: 240B on March 13, 2018, 11:16:53 am
Should be a no brainer.

You would think so. If a doctor wants to use lizard blood, rattles, and chicken bones, why should anyone care? If someone is terminal, try anything you want to. If you think it will make a difference, try it. Why not? I'm having a hard time understanding why anyone would oppose this.

They talk about 'false hope', but hope, faith, and belief can directly aid in recovery in many cases. Also, the faith and belief of the staff can produce positive results as well. I hope they get this right.