Sen. Cruz Applauds Senate’s Passage of the Right to Try Act
‘I am proud to support this bipartisan effort to offer Americans diagnosed with a terminal illness the opportunity to receive experimental treatment’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today applauded the Senate’s passage of the Right to Try Act of 2017. This bill allows for the unrestricted manufacturing, distribution, prescribing, and dispensing of experimental drugs, biological products and medical devices that are intended to treat a patient who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Sen. Cruz is an original cosponsor.
“Many Americans who receive the terrible diagnosis of a terminal illness often hope to pursue innovative medical care and treatments not available in the United States,” Sen. Cruz said. “I am proud to support this bipartisan effort to offer those diagnosed with a terminal illness the opportunity to receive experimental and possibly life-saving treatment without the need to travel abroad. Approval of innovative medicines is often hamstrung by federal bureaucracy, and those suffering from terminal illnesses often do not have time to wait. I look forward to working with my colleagues to offer significantly more access to treatment, medicines and potential cures to terminal illnesses and other diseases.”
Sen. Cruz has long advocated reforms to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
In July 2015, Sen. Cruz chaired a hearing titled, “Unlocking Cures for America’s Most Deadly Diseases,” in the Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness.
In October 2015, Sen. Cruz penned an op-ed for the National Review, advocating the FDA reform its approval process, and champion cures.
In December 2015, Sen. Cruz introduced the RESULT Act, which would amend the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to allow for reciprocal approval of drugs.
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