Senate approves ‘Right-to-Try Act’ for seriously ill
Assemblyman Ian Calderon attends a legislative session at the Capitol on July 7.
Reporting from Sacramento — The state Senate on Tuesday approved a bill that would allow makers of experimental drugs to make them available to Californians with life-threatening diseases.
The measure, which goes back to the Assembly for action on amendments, applies to drugs, devices and biological products that have undergone clinical trials but have not yet been approved for general public use by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“This bill gives hope to those at their weakest moment,” said Sen. Joel Anderson (R-San Diego) of AB 159, also known as the “Right-to-Try Act.”
Assemblyman Ian Calderon (D-Whittier) introduced the measure to provide seriously ill Californians with greater access to experimental drugs made available on a limited basis.
“AB 159 is simple: If your parent or your child or even you are faced with a terminal illness, you have the right to try and save your life,” Calderon said.
Twitter: @mcgreevy99
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