State's terminally ill closer to 'right to try' experimental drugs
Terminally ill Illinois residents could gain new treatment options if Gov. Bruce Rauner approves legislation that grants them the "right to try" drugs not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
State Sen. Michael Connelly, a Lisle Republican, says a doctor could work with terminally ill patients, potentially matching them with a pharmaceutical company with experimental drugs or procedures.
"A pharmaceutical company has the ability to say no, or they may say, 'you know what, yeah, get them involved,'" Connelly said. "Ultimately it allows you into the clinical trial process."
The proposal passed unanimously through the Illinois Senate Tuesday. The Illinois House approved it last month, so the plan now goes to Rauner for final review.
The Illinois State Medical Society has opposed the plan.
"ISMS supports the concept of providing additional therapeutic opportunities for terminally ill patients," Illinois State Medical Society President Scott Cooper said last month. "We do have concerns with this legislation because little is actually known about the effects of these experimental drugs and the consequences of their use."
Connelly says he's optimistic Rauner will approve the legislation.
"His staff has indicated that they're supportive of it," Connelly said.