‘Right to try’ bills would provide dying with unapproved drugs
By Victoria Colliver, San Francisco Chronicle
At the same time “right to die” legislation is working its way through the California Legislature, another patient issue is gaining momentum: the “right to try.”
Two bills would give terminally ill Californians who have exhausted their treatment options the right to try unapproved medications. Both have received bipartisan support, with one already heading to the state Senate after making it out of the Assembly last week.
Seventeen states have approved similar laws, while California is among as many as 15 states that have proposed legislation. Governors in Florida, Nevada and Illinois have right-to-try bills on their desks, and Arizona voters have approved a ballot measure to give patients the option.