Library / Laws / 113th / hr / H.R. 4475 / Introduced in House
I
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4475
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 10, 2014
Mr. Griffith of Virginia (for himself and Mr. Hanna) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
A BILL
To allow the manufacture, importation, distribution, and sale of investigational drugs and devices
intended for use by terminally ill patients who execute an informed
consent document, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Compassionate Freedom of Choice Act of 2014.
2.
Drugs and devices for use by terminally ill patients
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act is amended by inserting after section 561 (21 U.S.C.
360bbb) the following:
561A.
Drugs and devices for use by terminally ill patients
(a)
In general
Nothing in this Act or section 351 of the Public Health Service Act prevents or restricts, and the
Food and Drug Administration shall not implement or enforce any provision
of law preventing or restricting, the manufacture, importation,
distribution, or sale of an investigational drug or device intended for
use by a terminally ill patient in accordance with subsection (b).
(b)
Patient requirements
In order for an investigational drug or device to be intended for use in accordance with this
subsection, such drug or device must be intended for use by a patient who
has—
(1) been diagnosed with a terminal illness by a licensed physician;
(2) been informed by a licensed physician that no drug or device that is lawfully marketed in the
United States is likely to cure the illness; and
(3) executed a written informed consent document that states—
(A) the known and potential risks and benefits of such drug or device; and
(B) any indications of the illness for which a drug or device is lawfully marketed, or for which
treatment is otherwise available, in the United States.
(c)
Prohibition on requiring the disclosure, collection, and reporting of certain information by Food
and Drug Administration
(1)
In general
The Commissioner of Food and Drugs may not require the disclosure, collection, or reporting of—
(A) any information related to the delivery, administration, or use of an investigational drug or
device pursuant to this section; or
(B) any information related to the clinical outcomes experienced by a terminally ill patient supplied
an investigational drug or device pursuant to this section.
(2)
Exception
Nothing in this subsection prevents the sponsor of a clinical trial from voluntarily disclosing,
collecting, or reporting information to the Food and Drug Administration.
(d)
Definition of investigational drug or device
In this section, the term investigational drug or device means a drug or device that—
(1) has not yet been approved, licensed, or cleared for commercial distribution under section 505,
510(k), or 515 of this Act or section 351 of the Public Health Service
Act, and cannot otherwise be lawfully marketed in the United States; and
(2) is or has been the subject of one or more clinical trials.
.
3.
Liability protection
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) is amended by inserting after
section 561A, as inserted by section 2 of this Act, the following:
561B.
Liability protection
Except in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct, any person who manufactures, imports,
distributes, prescribes, dispenses, or administers an investigational drug
or device in accordance with section 561A shall not be liable in any
action under Federal or State law for any loss, damage, or injury arising
out of, relating to, or resulting from—
(1) the design, development, clinical testing and investigation, manufacturing, labeling, distribution,
sale, purchase, donation, dispensing, prescription, administration, or use
of the drug or device; or
(2) the safety or effectiveness of the drug or device.
.