Cathy Stratton

NHMS is speaking in opposition to HB1292 •We have concerns about administering drugs that have not been through a thorough testing and approval process. This bill removes requirements that a drug has completed phase one of a clinical trial. Phase-one is the first time a new drug or treatment is limited testing in humans, focusing on safety, side effects, and finding the best dosage in order to learn how the body handles the treatment. This is a small scale closely monitored process that ensures patient safety. • We have concerns about widening the scope of eligibility drugs that have not been through the testing and approval process. Right to try legislation currently limits eligibility to patients with terminal illnesses and we oppose expanding access. • We believe that experimental and untested treatments have the potential to cause serious and irreversible patient harm, causing patients to invest both time and money in unproven and ineffective treatments, and delay referrals to effective medical care. This will have significant cost both financially and to patient health. We urge the committee to vote ITL on HB1292.