US high court nixes long-shot drugs

[TechBear_Seattle]

Source: AFP via Yahoo News

WASHINGTON (AFP) - A US appeals court on Wednesday found that the US constitution does not guarantee desperately ill patients the right to try experimental drugs not yet approved by federal regulators.

The decision was seen as an endorsement of the government's Food and Drug Administration system of testing drugs before they may be sold.

"Although terminally ill patients desperately need curative treatments ... their deaths can certainly be hastened by the use of a potentially toxic drug with no proven therapeutic benefit," the District of Columbia Appeals Court said.

"Prior to distribution of a drug outside of controlled studies, the government has a rational basis for ensuring that there is a scientifically and medically acceptable level of knowledge about the risks and benefits of such a drug," said the 8-2 decision.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070809/ts_alt_afp/ushealthcourtpharma_070809031458

[Fovea]

1. Yeah, the FDA process was a real winner

with COX2 inhibitors.

[Dogmudgeon]

2. Soon the FDA will require us to get a Rx to go grocery shopping

I've been a chronic pain patient for 30 years. With all the permissions I have to get to buy my meds, it's like being in the third grade -- forever.

I have a solution, but it requires the FDA and the horse it rode in on.

--p!

[toopers]

3. Tell me again why we want the government to have more . . .

control over our health care?