Alabama Senate Approves Right To Try Bill

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – The Alabama Senate has approved a bill to give terminally ill patients the right to try experimental drugs.

The Senate approved the bill Thursday 29-0. It now moves to the House of Representatives.

The bill is inspired by 9-year-old Gabe Griffin who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The disease causes progressive muscle atrophy and usually causes death by age 25.

Scott Griffin believes there are drugs that could help his son. The boy’s parents are fighting for access, saying they vowed to do everything to help their son after his diagnosis. Griffin’s family looked on as the bill was passed.

The bill authorizes access to drugs that have completed a phase 1 clinical trial but are not yet been approved for general use by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration.