HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A bill that would allow terminally ill patients to access drugs not approved for general use is moving through the Connecticut General Assembly.
The Judiciary Committee on Monday will be the latest legislative committee to consider the measure. The bill previously cleared the Public Health Committee on a unanimous, bipartisan vote.
The legislation applies to investigational drugs and devices that have completed the first phase of a federal Food and Drug Administration-approved clinical trial and are still part of the clinical trial.
Senate President Martin Looney, a Democrat from New Haven, said recent federal court decisions have determined terminally ill patients do not have the right to try experimental treatments. He said a number of states have since passed "right to try" laws to give patients access to the therapies.
Bill GrantingTerminally Ill Patients Access to Experimental Drugs Moves Forward
The Judiciary Committee will consider a measure that would allow the use of experimental drugs by terminally ill patients.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
