More than two dozen states have passed so-called “Right to Try” bills that allow dying patients to seek experimental medicine that might not see federal approval for years, but Wisconsin isn’t among them.
But, it could become law in all 50 states if a bill by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson is successful. Johnson spoke at a Right to Try rally earlier this week in Washington, D.C.
“Please, restore our freedom, our liberty. Give us the right to try!” Johnson said.
Stay informed on the latest news
Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.
Art Caplan, a professor of bioethics at Langone Medical School at New York University, explained in a online video that federal and state legislation doesn’t require companies to provide risky treatments.
Johnson’s bill would prohibit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from taking any action to prevent patient access.
“The rhetoric sounds perhaps, good. But the reality doesn’t match the rhetoric,” Caplan said.
Caplan notes that people would still have to pay for the unapproved drug and companies may be reluctant to provide a drug still under development.
Caplan isn’t against the overall concept. Last year, it was reported that Caplan is working with Johnson & Johnson to help develop a program which could get experimental drugs to desperately ill patients as a last-chance treatment.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2024, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
