Second time lucky for 'right to try' legislation in US House of Reps

In a reversal of last week’s decision to reject so-called ‘right to try’ legislation, the US House of Representatives has now given the green light to a bill which would enable terminally ill patients in the USA to gain access to unapproved drug candidates.

Republicans had hoped to speed the bill through last week using a faster legislative process that requires a two-thirds majority, but had failed to gather enough support. This time, with only a simple majority required, the proposals passed 267 to 149.

Lawmakers voted largely along party lines, with Democrats raising concerns that patients would be denied the protections afforded by the expert insight of regulators.