title: Right-to-try laws and individual patient "compassionate use" of experimental oncology medications: A call for improved provider-patient communication.
abstract: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Expanded Access program allows patients with life-threatening diagnoses, such as advanced cancer, to use experimental medications without participating in clinical research (colloquially, "Compassionate Use"). Sixteen U.S. states recently passed "right-to-try" legislation aimed at promoting Expanded Access. Acknowledging popular support, Expanded Access could undermine clinical trials that benefit public health. Moreover, existing norms in oncologic care, for example, often lead patients to pursue intense treatments near the end of life, at the expense of palliation, and improved communication about the risks and benefits of Expanded Access would more often discourage its use.
authors: a Tulane Cancer Center and Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry , Tulane University , New Orleans , Louisiana , USA.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Hoerger
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D057176:Compassionate Use Trials / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058015:Health Communication; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D005791:Patient Care; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015507:Drugs, Investigational