Colorado Passes Bill Giving Terminally Ill Access to Experimental Medication

On Saturday, Colorado became the first state to allow terminally ill patients to have access to experimental medicine not yet approved by the FDA. 

Governor John Hickenlooper signed the “Right to Try” bill into law.  The bill permits patients and doctors to work together to fasten experimental treatments with the permission of a pharmaceutical company.  While insurance companies are not required to pay for the treatment, drug manufacturers can choose to provide the medication free of charge.

Proponents of the bill argue this will help patients who are desperate for treatment avoid the prolonged process of getting the FDA to approve the experimental drugs.  However, opponents say the legislation thwarts federal law and undercuts the drug development process.  

See Colorado Becomes First State to Approve Bill Giving Terminally Ill Access to Experimental Medication, Fox News, May 18, 2014.