WITH CONGRESS having recently passed federal “right-to-try” (RTT) legislation, ASCO has developed a suite of educational resources that will help members understand the impact of this law on cancer care and individuals with cancer. Educational resources include:
Podcast
THE LATEST ASCO in Action Podcast focuses on the right-to-try issue with guest ASCO Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Richard L. Schilsky, MD, FACP, FASCO, FSCT. The podcast, hosted by ASCO CEO Clifford A. Hudis, MD, FACP, FASCO, examines RTT legislation and explains the difference between RTT and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded access program.
Dr. Schilsky points out the term itself is a bit of a misnomer that gives a false sense of hope. “Right-to-try is a catchy phrase,” he said, “but it doesn’t actually provide patients with the right to try anything. It provides patients with the right to ask for a drug.”
Listen to the full discussion on ASCO.org/podcasts, or through iTunes and Google Play.
Issue Brief
THE ASCO in Action Brief: Right-to-Try and Expanded Access to Investigational Drugs provides a comprehensive explanation of RTT legislation and is designed to help ASCO members gain a clearer understanding of the impact of the newly passed federal law on patients with cancer and oncology practices in the United States.
The brief also points to resources aimed at facilitating conversations between health-care providers and patients on options to access investigational treatments outside of clinical trials, including Cancer.Net, ASCO’s patient information website, and the Reagan-Udall Expanded Access Navigator.
FAQ on Right-to-Try and Expanded Access to Investigational Therapies
ASCO’S FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) document is a resource that physicians can share with patients who may have questions about accessing investigational therapies outside of a clinical trial, either under right-to-try laws or through the FDA’s expanded access program.
Listen to the podcast and read the full brief and FAQ on asco.org/ascoaction.
Stay tuned to ASCO in Action for the latest on right-to-try and other state and federal cancer policy priorities. ■
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