Colorado Allowing Experimental Drugs for Terminally Ill

Colorado is poised to become the first state to allow terminally ill patients to access experimental medications, even when those medicines are years away from getting federal approval.

Colorado's governor will sign the "Right To Try" bill Saturday afternoon. Similar measures are pending in Louisiana and Missouri. Arizona voters will decide in November whether to set up a similar program.

With no changes coming from Washington, D.C., terminally ill patients who want experimental medications are turning to state capitols.

Colorado's legislation clears the way for drug companies to provide experimental medications to patients outside of clinical trials. But drugmakers would not be required to do so. And some critics say the legislation won't lead to greater access.

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Online: House Bill 1281