An Oklahoma House committee has approved legislation allowing terminally ill patients access to medications that have received preliminary approval from the Food and Drug Administration but are not yet on pharmacy shelves.
The House Public Health Committee voted 10-0 Wednesday for the Oklahoma Right to Try Act and sent it to the full House for consideration. Oklahoma is among 29 states considering similar bills, which have already been approved in five states.
The FDA already allows people to seek permission to use investigational medicines, but it takes hundreds of hours of paperwork and months to gain approval. There are dozens of documented cases of people dying while waiting for approval.
The bill's author, Rep. Richard Morrissette of Oklahoma City, says his bill can give the terminally ill new hope.
-----
KGOU is a community-supported news organization and relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online, or by contacting our Membership department.
