Do Physicians Have a Duty to Discuss Expanded Access to Investigational Drugs with Their Patients? A Normative Analysis

Overview

Journal J Law Med Ethics

Publisher Cambridge University Press

Specialties Forensic Sciences
General Medicine
Health Services
Medical Ethics

Date 2023 May 25

PMID 37226748

Authors

Stefan F Vermeulen

Marjolijn Hordijk

Ruben J Visser

Eline M Bunnik

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Drawing on ethical and legal frameworks in the Netherlands, the United States and France, we examine whether physicians are expected to inform patients about potentially relevant opportunities for expanded access to investigational drugs. While we found no definitive legal obligation, we argue that physicians have a moral obligation to discuss opportunities for expanded access with patients who have run out of treatment options to prevent inequality, to promote autonomy, and to achieve beneficence.

Citing Articles

Devil in the Details: Physician Duties and Expanded Access.

Lynch H J Law Med Ethics. 2023; 51(1):181-184.

PMID: 37226759 PMC: 10209988. DOI: 10.1017/jme.2023.54.

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