From STAT (subscription required to read the full article)
When Biogen declined to allow an ALS patient to participate in a clinical trial under compassionate use, questions arose about whether patients should be allowed to try potentially life-saving drugs without jeopardizing trial results.
“I do worry about a situation where somebody with privilege — they have some type of expertise, their finances or a professional network — or whatever it might be that allows them to gain access when people without those advantages can’t gain access,” said Steven Joffe, MD, PhD, interim chair of Medical Ethics & Health Policy.