95.3 / 88.5 FM Grand Rapids and 95.3 FM Muskegon
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

House panel adopts COVID “right-to-try” bill

House panel adopts COVID “right-to-try” bill

The state House Health Policy Committee has approved a bill to allow people to try experimental COVID-19 treatments.

Michigan already has a “right-to-try” law that allows people facing serious illnesses to turn to experimental remedies with a doctor’s approval. But this bill specifically names COVID as a covered illness as long as the treatment has cleared the initial stage of the FDA approval process, says Republican Representative Mary Whiteford.

“So it’s very clear: It’s got to be safe to start with. It just hasn’t advanced in clinical studies to address COVID specifically.”

But that’s beside the point, says Democratic Representative Laurie Pohutsky

“So a drug can be FDA-approved for something but still not be suitable to treat something else.”

The bill now goes to the House floor.