Characterizing expanded access and compassionate use programs for experimental drugs

• Published in: BMC research notes Vol. 10; no. 1; p. 350
• Main Authors: Miller, Jennifer E, Ross, Joseph S, Moch, Kenneth I, Caplan, Arthur L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 28.07.2017; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Access to medicines; Bioethics; Clinical trials; Compassionate use; Corporate sponsorship; Ethics; Expanded access; Experimental drugs; FDA approval; Food; Health promotion; Management; Medical equipment; Multiple myeloma; Patient safety; Research Note; United States; United States > US; Policy; Compassionate use; Ethics; Experimental drugs; Right to Try Laws; 21st Century Cures Act; Bioethics; Pharmaceutical industry; Expanded access; Access to medicines; Real-world evidence
• ISSN: 1756-0500; 1756-0500
• DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-2687-5

We sought to determine the characteristics of "expanded access" and "compassionate use" programs registered in ClinicalTrials.gov and to determine the percentage of drugs provided through these programs that ultimately received FDA marketing approval. We identified 398 expanded access and compassionate use programs (hereafter referred to as expanded access programs) registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. Industry funded 61% (n = 241) of programs individually or collaboratively, while NIH and the US Federal Government rarely funded programs (3% [n = 11] and 2% [n = 6], respectively). Most programs provided access to drugs (71% [n = 282]), 11% to biologics (n = 43), and 10% to medical devices (n = 40). These programs covered 460 unique conditions, the most common being HIV (n = 26), leukemia (22), and multiple myeloma (n = 14). Only 2% of programs reported results in ClinicalTrials.gov. Most programs (82%) were open to enrolling adults and seniors (n = 326). These programs provided access to 210 unique experimental drugs, of which 76% have received FDA approval.