OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Terminally ill patients in Oklahoma would have access to experimental medications that are not yet available in pharmacies under a bill that is heading to the governor's desk.
The Senate voted unanimously on Tuesday for the "Right to Try Act" by Oklahoma City Democrat Richard Morrissette. The bill already passed the House and now heads to Gov. Mary Fallin for consideration.
The bill 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.