OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Legislation that would give terminally ill patients in Oklahoma access to experimental medications that are not yet on pharmacy shelves has been approved by a state Senate panel.
The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services voted 7-0 Monday to send the measure to the full Senate for a vote. It has already been approved by the state House.
Right to Try legislation gives terminally ill patients the option of obtaining medications or devices that have passed the first of multiple phases of U.S. Food and Drug Administration testing but are not yet on pharmacy shelves, giving the terminally ill access to potentially life-saving medications.
Backed by the conservative Goldwater Institute, the measure is similar to laws already in place in 11 other states.