Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — People diagnosed with life-ending illnesses could have improved opportunity to use experimental drugs or devices to prolong or reverse their ailment in legislation clearing the North Carolina House.
The House voted unanimously Tuesday for the measure which sponsor Rep. Hugh Blackwell of Valdese told colleagues would give terminally-ill patients "some final hope" when they are out of medical options.
The patient's treating physician would have to recommend a treatment that's already completed the first phase of clinical trials and attest treatments already approved by federal regulators are unlikely to work. The drug manufacturer isn't required to make any treatment available.
The patient would be liable for expenses related to the drug or device and couldn't sue for damages for any harm from the treatment if the manufacturer acted reasonably.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
