title: Principled compassion.
abstract: Investigational drugs can save or extend lives, and seriously ill patients not able to take part in clinical trials should have access to such drugs whenever possible. In a climate of increased public pressure for this access - often termed compassionate use - five states in the US have passed so-called ‘right to try’ legislation. These laws are ill advised, as they are not likely to substantially increase access and have the potential to compromise the clinical trial system.
mesh_terms: D057176:Compassionate Use Trials / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration