Bill: SB 694, 84(R) - 2015

Committee

Senate Health & Human Services

Companion Bill

HB 21

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Yes Neutral Neutral Neutral Positive Positive

Author(s)

Paul Bettencourt

Co-Author(s)

Donna Campbell
Craig Estes
Bob Hall
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
Lois Kolkhorst
Jane Nelson
Charles Perry
Carlos Uresti
Kirk Watson
John Whitmire

Bill Caption

Relating to authorizing patients with certain terminal illnesses to access certain investigational drugs, biological products, and devices that are in clinical trials.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

It is anticipated that the duties and responsibilities of implementing agencies would be accomplished through existing resources.

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

The bill would authorize terminally ill patients, who have exhausted all viable treatment options, to access experimental drugs that have not yet been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The bill specifically refers to drugs that have passed the first phase (safety phase) but have not passed the second phase (efficacy test) of the FDA drug approval process.

The bill would prohibit a manufacturer who provides an investigational drug to a patient from charging a fee. Physicians would also be prohibited from charging a fee or any related cost for administering an investigational drug under Chapter 489 of the Health and Safety Code. 

HB 21 and HB 438 are similar bills.

Vote Recommendation Notes

The purpose of this legislation is to authorize a terminally ill patient to access investigational drugs that could potentially prolong a patient's life. Curbing the FDA's lengthy drug approval process for people who have no alternative option promotes limited government and empowers a terminally ill patient's individual liberty.

We support SB 694.


Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 02:03 PM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/84r/sb694?print_view=true