What we’re reading: NYT “How far do you go when the alternative is death?”

The New York Times published an insightful and heartfelt essay about the challenging experience of seeking expanded access in the US.  How Far Do You Go When the Alternative Is Death?, written by Dr. Daniela J. Lamas, tells the story of Micheal Forbes as he and his family sought to obtain an unapproved experimental treatment for an advanced form of lung cancer.  

The story touches on the ethical challenges drug companies face when considering expanded access requests, and the need for better ways to speed up decision-making and communication to patients. The issue does not lie with the FDA, which has gone to great lengths to improve the Expanded Access application and approval process (e.g. via Project Facilitate), so much as with challenges faced by the biopharma industry around rapidly assessing requests and communicating with physicians in order to determine whether they can provide treatment to a given patient.

The story reaffirmed why MedaSystems was founded, and technology's role in speeding up decision-making and treatment delivery. While we weren't involved, we're grateful that the Forbes family and Dr. Lamas were willing to share this important story. 

Image credit: The New York Times