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Friday, Apr. 28, 2023

Can Nevadans legally try some medical treatments not approved by the FDA?


yes

A state law that took effect May 27, 2015, permits terminally ill Nevadans to access medical treatments under review, but not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It was previously a misdemeanor to possess unapproved FDA treatments.

Three years later, President Donald Trump approved federal legislation that granted such access nationwide. The law stipulates that eligible treatments must have completed Phase 1 FDA safety testing and be under active development.

Patients interested in trying experimental treatments must consult with their doctor and the medical company. According to the FDA, “Ultimately, companies (…) are responsible for determining whether to make their products available to patients who qualify for access under the law.”

Nevada is currently considering legislation that would extend right-to-try to patients with “life threatening” or “severely debilitating” ailments, among other expansions.

See a full discussion of this at The Nevada Independent

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The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.

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