Morrissette-Standridge ‘right to try’ measure heads to Governor Fallin


OKLAHOMA CITY – Tuesday (April 14), the “Right to Try” — House Bill 1074 – passed by unanimous vote from the Oklahoma Senate.

“I’m thankful and hopeful for all with terminal illness who may now benefit by receiving trial medications in time to save their lives, if Governor Fallin will sign the bill.” said Rep. Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City. He co-sponsored the measure with State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman.

“I give credit to all who helped on this…including the pharmaceutical industry and members of both Houses of the Oklahoma legislature, and, of course, Senator Standridge and the very able Goldwater Institute.

“Let’s hope and pray we soon have heartening examples of Oklahomans alive and well because of this opportunity to access life-saving medications when they are needed and not when it is too late,” Morrissette said.

Only about 1,000 people make it through the FDA’s “compassionate use” application process each year. Sadly, there are many documented cases of patients dying while their application is being considered. Right to Try allows terminally ill Americans to try medicines that have passed Phase 1 of the FDA approval process but are not yet on pharmacy shelves.

“Americans shouldn’t have to ask the government for permission to try to save their own lives,” said Darcy Olsen, president of the Goldwater Institute. “They should be able to work with their doctors directly to decide what potentially life-saving treatments they are willing to try.

 This is exactly what Right To Try does.”