Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Bill would let terminally ill people try experimental drugs

CARSON CITY — Terminally ill patients would be able to try experimental drugs not fully approved by the Federal Drug Administration, under a bill that gained general support but left many questions unanswered in an Assembly Committee today.

Assemblyman James Ohrenschall, D-Las Vegas, outlined the details of his bill, AB 164, aimed at extending the life of patients near death.

But there were questions in the Assembly Committee on Health and Welfare about liability for doctors, the cost of these experimental drugs, the definition of terminally ill and other issues.

The measure has the general support of the state Board of Medical Examiners, the Nevada State Medical Association and the Nevada Osteopathic Association.

Ohrenschall told the committee the bill would give terminally ill patients, after consulting with their doctor, the right to try experimental drugs that may prolong their lives, ease their suffering or possibly cure them.

Craig Handzlik, state policy coordinator of the Goldwater Institute, an Arizona think tank, said similar bills have been passed in five states and are before the Legislature in 29 other states.

There are provisions in the bill to protect doctors and drug manufacturers from lawsuit if patients and their physicians agree to try a partially approved treatment.

Ohrenschall said he was willing to work out concerns of some committee members about possible unintended consequences. “For the most part people like this bill,” he said.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy